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-12-01
analyses evidence for the transformation of Earth’s systems over geological and evolutionary time
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.
Conduct a laboratory experiment to model the processes of mold, cast and trace fossil formation, and evaluate the validity of the model
Use sources to make observations of fossils to infer past ecosystem interactions and environmental conditions
Outline the characteristics of epochs, periods, eras and eons in terms of relative length, biological and geological changes, events, developments and features
Explain the significance of index fossils in developing the geological timescale
Explain the principles of uniformitarianism and how extreme events and event conjunctions fit with these principles
Use the laws of superposition, original horizontality, lateral continuity, cross-cutting relationships, faunal succession, inclusions and unconformity to determine the age of strata
Explain how radioisotope decay can be used to determine the age of geological materials, from recent fossils to the age of the Earth
Conduct a scientific investigation to model the process of radioactive decay in geological materials
Explain how evidence from zircon crystals and meteorites is used to estimate the age of the Earth
Solve problems relating to the absolute and relative dating of stratigraphic layers and geological samples, using index fossils, radiometric and stratigraphic dating techniques
Analyse scientific evidence to draw conclusions about the age of geological materials and the Earth
Analyse chemical evolution experiments used to model conditions related to the origin of organic molecules on Earth
Evaluate evidence for the possible origin of organic molecules on Earth from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, meteorites and hot springs
Describe the effects of the development of photosynthetic organisms on the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere
Analyse stromatolites, cyanobacteria fossils and banded iron formations as evidence of the development of photosynthetic life and the origins of the great oxidation event
Relate the development of photosynthetic life to the formation of the ozone layer
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to analyse physical characteristics of Ediacaran fossils to infer features of their ecosystems
Compare the physical characteristics of Cambrian metazoans with that of Ediacaran biota
Explain possible causes of the Cambrian event
Analyse how fossil evidence indicates changes to ecosystem interactions during the Cambrian period
Explain the selection pressures and opportunities that led animals and plants to colonise terrestrial environments during the Palaeozoic era
Analyse the environmental conditions and transitional forms needed for the conquest of land for plants and animals
Explain how mass extinction events affect the diversity and distribution of biological classes
Account for observed recoveries after mass extinction events, using the theories of adaptive radiation and punctuated equilibrium
Use models to demonstrate the plate tectonic supercycle
Explain how the plate tectonic supercycle influences long-term greenhouse and icehouse conditions and species evolution by altering continental positions, latitudes, and biomes over geological time
Analyse evidence about the changing conditions of the biosphere over geological time