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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

7–10Aquatic Technology 7–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2027
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Stage 4

Options: Aquatic environments and conservation

Teachers select options from:

  • Aquatic biology
  • Aquatic ecology
  • Investigating aquatic ecosystems
  • Local area study.
Investigating aquatic ecosystems (option)

Select ONE aquatic ecosystem to investigate from the options below:

  • Antarctica
  • Coral reefs
  • Deep sea
  • Estuaries
  • Inland water bodies
  • Intertidal shores
  • Kelp beds and forests
  • Mangroves
  • Rivers
  • Seagrass beds
  • Wetlands

In-person or virtual field trips may be undertaken to support investigation of the chosen ecosystem. Investigations can be undertaken individually or as a collaborative group project. The aquatic ecosystem investigation cannot be the same ecosystem as the Local area study if both focus areas are chosen. Conservation programs and local community groups may be useful sources of information for some investigations. Where appropriate, opportunities for practical activities should be considered.

Investigating ecosystems
  • Describe physical features of the ecosystem

  • Examine water parameters

  • Explain biotic and abiotic components, ecological roles and environmental significance of the ecosystem

  • Describe adaptations of organisms

  • Analyse threats to the ecosystem

  • Evaluate the importance of the ecosystem as a carbon sink

  • Investigate the importance and fragility of the ecosystem and explain how advances in technology can help to conserve these ecosystems

  • Formulate specific questions to guide the investigation into the ecosystem

  • Conduct an investigation using formulated questions

  • Represent and analyse collected data to draw conclusions

  • Present findings from the investigation using oral, visual, written or multimodal texts

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