11–12Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2028 and will replace the Earth and Environmental Science Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
2026 and 2027
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2028, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Earth and Environmental Science Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2028, Term 4
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2029
- First HSC examination for new syllabus
Content
Year 12
- EES-12-04
assesses the sustainability of resource use and waste management strategies
Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content must be integrated with each focus area. All the Working scientifically outcomes and content must be addressed by the end of Year 12.
Discuss the role of the 4 pillars of sustainability in maintaining society and the environment
Explain how aspects of sustainability are achieved using Australian renewable and non-renewable resources
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to analyse the factors affecting the sustainability of a water resource, mining resource, forestry product and agricultural product
Examine the sustainability and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ food systems
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to assess the viability of producing useful materials from household waste
Use examples to explain how a circular economy can contribute to sustainable consumption and production
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to evaluate traditional landfill practices and bioreactors as waste management strategies
Use scientific evidence to justify strategies for the safe management of problem wastes
Evaluate the effect of waste reduction strategies on the geosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to identify the essential materials and minerals required to construct photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, electric motors/generators and batteries
Use raw material, land area and mining data to compare the total material use for equivalent nuclear coal fired, natural gas fired, hydroelectric, solar farm and wind farm electricity generation
Analyse the demand for fossil fuels in maintaining a non-renewable energy economy, and the impact on mining and carbon dioxide emissions in Australia
Analyse the demand for copper and other critical minerals in the renewable and non-renewable energy economy, and the implications for mining in Australia
Analyse data to compare the dispatchability, greenhouse gas emissions, wastes and fuel sustainability of operating nuclear, coal fired, natural gas fired, hydroelectric, solar farm and wind farm for electricity generation
Examine proposed electricity generation mixes for Australia, with consideration given to demand, capacity, reliability, and environmental, economic and social factors
Assess the production of blue and green hydrogen and their potential uses as alternatives to fossil fuels as an energy carrier
Conduct a laboratory experiment to demonstrate the production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water and its subsequent combustion
Evaluate the impact of reducing the dependence on crude oil as an energy resource for transport
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to evaluate energy sources and technologies needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for transport