1. The Land
1. Describe and model the structure of the Earth including the terms lithosphere, asthenosphere, crust, mantle, outer/inner core.
2. Outline the plate tectonic model.
3. List and evaluate the evidences for the plate tectonic theory.
4. Describe the three types of plate boundaries.
5. Identify the type of plate boundary when looking at plate movement maps and images of natural disasters or landforms.
6. Explain how plate boundaries relate to seismic and volcanic activity.
7. Describe the impacts of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on the Earth’s spheres.
Optional PBL Outcomes
P1. How important is evidence when considering the validity of a model?
P2. How has technology, like seismometers, have helped scientists understand geological activity?
The Water
8. Describe and model the structure of the ocean including the mixed layer (surface), thermocline and deep layer.
9. Outline the nature of and compare surface currents with deep ocean currents.
10. Explain the causes of the global ocean conveyor belt.
Optional PBL Outcomes
P3. What impact does the global ocean conveyor belt have on climate and marine life?
P4. Conduct and present research into a current problem facing our world’s oceans and the ways scientists are trying to solve the problem.
The Air
11. Describe and model the 5 layers of the atmosphere including the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere.
12. Explain the greenhouse gas effect and describe its effect on climate.
13. Draw and identify the key aspects of the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle.
14. Outline the causes of cyclones.
Optional PBL Outcomes
P5. Conduct research into climate change to make evidence-based conclusions on its potential impacts.
P6. Evaluate which part of the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle are the most importance.
P7. What are the impacts of cyclones on the Earth’s spheres?
Life
15. Investigate the biotic and abiotic factors present in different ecosystems.
16. Outline the source/s of energy in ecosystems.
17. Construct and interpret food chains and food webs.
18. Predict the effects of changes to the ecosystem on organisms in a food web.
Optional PBL Outcomes
P8. Assess the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have managed, and continue to manage the environment.
P9. Suggest ways the typical Australian family can improve the sustainability of their household.
P10. Describe a strategy that has been used to balance the conservation of the environment with human activities and needs. For example, insect farming, substitution of CFC’s in aerosols, substitution of plastics, elimination of lead in petrol.