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 the new syllabus
Content
Year 12
- EES-12-02
analyses the interrelationships between natural hazards, humans and Earth’s systems
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.
Explain scientific evidence from Aboriginal Loading of past volcanic Loading in Australia
Analyse the causes and features of Loading and explosive eruptions
Describe the potential hazards and disasters associated with effusive and explosive volcanic eruptions
Analyse data and maps to predict the zones along which effusive and explosive volcanic eruptions are likely to occur and relate these to plate boundaries
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to explain the causes and effects of lava flows, volcanic bombs, Loading , ash clouds and Loading
Analyse data to explain the local and global atmospheric effects of large volcanic ash clouds and gas emissions over timescales of days to years and consider implications for the Australian environment
Explain the geological causes and effects of the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo and the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull on the environment and society
Explain how Loading technologies and warning systems are used to minimise the impacts of volcanic eruptions
Explain scientific evidence from Aboriginal Oral traditions of past earthquake and tsunami hazards in Australia
Analyse the forces and energy transformations involved in the formation of Loading
Account for the location of Loading at a Loading Loading , Loading and Loading
Relate the frequency, depth and intensity of earthquakes to convergent, divergent and transform tectonic margins
Compare the features of P, S, R and L seismic waves
Analyse hazards in built environments associated with ground motion caused by seismic waves
Explain how building design technologies are used to minimise damage due to earthquakes
Conduct a practical investigation to evaluate a Loading of the effect of earthquake waves on built structures
Use examples of tsunamis to analyse their causes and associated hazards and disasters
Evaluate the effectiveness of earthquake detection technologies and warning systems
Explain how prediction technologies and warning systems are used to minimise the impacts of tsunamis
Explain the causes and physical impacts of tropical cyclones, east coast lows, bushfires, droughts, floods and hailstorms in Australia
Assess the effectiveness of current forecast modelling and warning technologies for predicting the impact of, and preparing for, tropical cyclones and east coast lows
Analyse meteorological factors affecting the frequency and severity of floods, droughts and bushfires
Explain how anthropogenic Loading , improper fire management, water overuse and changing land use impact the frequency and severity of floods, droughts and bushfires
Analyse the impact of Loading on the reduction of bushfire disasters
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to analyse the effectiveness of technologies used to predict and manage the impact of floods, droughts and bushfires