Westlake Boys High School
Level 3 Earth & Space Science
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms R. Pevreal.
Level 3 Earth and Space Science
Earth and Space Science is the study of Planet Earth, and its place in the solar system and universe. This course is a great way to gain understanding of how Earth systems work. This course is useful if you are considering further study of the environment, like geology, physical geography, geophysics, engineering geology, physics (later astronomy, meteorology), or marine science.
Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time. Join the 13ESS class and explore what climate is, and how it works!
What you will study in Level 3 Earth and Space Science:
Space Science components:
There are two internal assessments which focus on aspects of space science:
1. An independent investigation, where you will study impact cratering on Earth. In a group, you will research impact cratering and set up your own experiment to find out more about how they work.
2. A report on an aspect of astronomy. This is a research topic on how scientists have discovered planets orbiting other stars - exoplanets! You will learn about stars and planetary formation and what makes Earth habitable, before conducting your own research on how exoplanets are found from so far away.
Own-choice research:
This internal topic could be Earth or Space Science centered, or both, depending on your interests:
3. An own-choice research topic on an Earth and/or Space Science issue. This is an open investigation about an Earth and/or space science issue, that could include ocean acidification, ocean pollution, global warming, mining of the moon, storing nuclear waste, or how to fix New Zealand's polluted rivers and lakes (or any other topic of your choice with your teacher’s permission). You will need to investigate the science of the issue as well as evaluating a societal response and justifying your own position on the issue.
Earth Science components:
There are two main theoretical topics, both of which are assessed in an external examination at the end of the year:
4. An in-depth exploration of the complexity of the atmosphere system. This is a theory topic on the structure and composition of Earth’s atmosphere. You will learn how energy and matter is transported throughout the atmosphere, how winds and weather form, and the role the atmosphere plays in regional and global climate. Integrating concepts are the water and carbon cycles, as well as the concepts of conduction, convection and radiation. If you’ve wondered why the sky is blue, sunsets are red, and clouds are white, then this is the topic for you.
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5. An in-depth exploration of the complexity of the ocean system. This is the other main theoretical unit, focusing on the global ocean system. Earth’s ocean covers about 71% of Earth’s surface, makes up 99% of the space where life can live. The structure and composition of the ocean are studied along with waves, currents, and tides. The marine food web, starting with marine plants, is linked to the movement of heat and nutrients (matter) through the ocean. This topic is linked to the atmosphere system through the water and carbon cycles. The El Nino-southern oscillation is explored, and what this means for New Zealand’s weather and climate. How Earth’s climate is moderated by the oceans is a key aspect to this topic.
Entry Criteria
This is a restricted entry course.
Students who wish to study Earth and Space Science at Level 3 are recommended to have studied and successfully completed (14 or more credits at Achieved level or higher) in two of the following subjects:
Level 2 Chemistry (12CHE/12CHEE)
Level 2 Physics (12PHY/12PHYE)
Level 2 Geography (12GEO/12GEOE)
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for NCEA Course Endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
Total Credits Available: 20 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 8 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.
External
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 20
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Useful Links
Disclaimer
Course selection does not guarantee a course will be available or that you have approval to take a course. Final course confirmation is in January and depends on your final results and in rare cases, staff availability.
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