Stage 3 - Living for Sustainability
Science/Geography
Program Overview
Students investigate a local aquatic ecosystem to measure both abiotic and biotic indicators of water quality. Geographical tools are utilised. Management of the lakes is explained to lessen the impacts of flooding (environmental event).
Food webs, adaptations, life cycles and impact of introduced species are explored.
Students are left with thoughts for a post activity which highlights sustainable management practices and Penrith Lakes.
Focus
Geography Focus Area
Stage 3: Geographical information is used to plan for sustainable futures
Sub-strand - People organize and manage places using geographical information
Science Focus Area
Stage 3: Knowledge of our world and beyond inspires sustainable solutions
Sub-strands - Living things may change over millions of years, in response to their environments.
A fixed amount of useable matter makes up all the material on Earth
Program Activities
Key Syllabus Outcomes
- HS3-GEO-01 examines how people organise, protect and sustainability use the environment, using geographical information.
- ST3-SC1-01 uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices
- ST3-PQU-01 poses questions to identify variables and conducts fair tests to gather data
- ST3-DAT-01 interprets data to support explanations and arguments
Key Content
- Observe, measure, collect and record geographical information to explain how places are organized
- Research and explain how people and agencies manage places where environmental events occur eg rain
- Propose strategies to manage a local place where environmental events occur - post activity
- Observe behavioural and structural adaptations of plants and animals, and suggest how these may help them survive in their environments
- Interpret a food web that describes the flow of matter and energy between plants and animals in an ecosystem
- Identify and describe how the loss or introduction of plants and animals effects an Australian ecosystem.