Earth and Environmental Science B

Content

Our Earth can be turbulent and unpredictable. Students will learn how the structure of the geosphere allows for changes on Earth over a timescale of 4.543 billion years. The unpredictable nature of the geosphere gives rise to large-scale disasters that impact society and the environment. Students have the opportunity to engage in a hands-on approach to learning through laboratory and fieldwork, developing and extending their inquiry skills.

Topics may include:

• Turbulent Earth - Natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and avalanches affect life on Earth

• Composition of the Geosphere - Radioactive decay, the formulae of minerals, and the evidence of fossils can be analysed through the geosphere. Development of the geological time scale is based on this evidence.

• Processes in the Geosphere - Investigate evidence that provides information about the structure of the Earth, and learn how scientists analyse this evidence to develop models that describe changes to the Earth’s structure.

Assessment

Investigations Folio  40%

• SHE Investigation 20% - 750 words if written or a maximum of 5 minutes for an oral presentation or the equivalent in multimodal form

• Design and Deconstruct Practical Report 20% - 750 words

Skills and Applications Tasks  60% 

• Lab Skills and Application 30% - Written and practical: supervised 100 minutes

• Field Skills and Application 30% - 750 words if written or a maximum of 5 minutes for an oral presentation, or the equivalent in multimodal form

Additional Information