Level 3 Earth & Space Science

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 prior learning and understanding of how Earth systems work. This course is useful if you are considering further study of the environment, geology, physical geography, geophysics, engineering geology, physics (later astronomy, meteorology), marine science and many more interesting fields of study. 

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. (internal) In a group, you will research impact cratering and set up their own experiment to find out more about how they work.

2. A report on an aspect of astronomy (internal). 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 topic could be Earth or space science, or both, depending on your interests:

3. An own-choice research topic on an Earth and/or space science issue (internal). 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 (external). 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. (external) This is the other main theoretical unit, focussing 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.