Earth & Environmental Science
What's it all about?
“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made from the interiors of collapsing stars…. We are star stuff” – Carl Sagan
This Island Earth is an interdisciplinary subject that bridges the Sciences and the Humanities. Across four modules, this subject covers everything from the Big Bang, to the formation of stars and solar systems, to the dynamic nature of the Earth and its systems, the role of the Earth in supporting human civilisations and, finally, the impact that human activities have on the habitability of the planet itself.
What type of things will I do?
The subject will be delivered using an online platform, and will include fieldwork, laboratory activities, literature research, and tutorials delivered in class.
What will I learn?
TOPIC 1
EARTH IN SPACE
Evidence of the formation of the Universe
How stars and their satellites form
Why we have seasons, and how they affect the diversity of life on Earth
TOPIC 2
DYNAMIC EARTH
The structure of the Earth
Evidence supporting our understanding of the structure and age of the Earth
Various cycles which occur within, and upon the surface of, the Earth
TOPIC 3
EARTH’S SYSTEMS
The various interconnected systems of Earth, and how they interact
Processes essential for the existence, and maintenance, of life on Earth
How energy moves through, and between systems, including aspects of thermodynamics and how they relate to life
TOPIC 4
HUMAN EARTH
How human and Earth interactions have given rise to civilisations
How human exploitation of Earth’s services and functions has changed over time
The impact of modern rates of resource consumption on the capacity for Earth to sustain life as we have come to know it
What can this lead to?
University and TAFE courses in Physics, Earth Science, Astronomy, Geography, Climate Science and Paleo science.
POSSIBLE PATHWAY |
YEAR COURSES OFFERED |
YEAR 10 Earth and Environmental Science |
YEAR 11 Environmental Science (VCE) Environmental Systems and Societies (IBDP) Physics (VCE/IBDP) |
YEAR 12 Environmental Science (VCE) Environmental Systems and Societies (IBDP) Physics (VCE/IBDP) |
Why choose this subject?
Choose this subject if you are interested in learning about Science through an applied context.