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Science / Year 8 / Science Understanding / Earth and space sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales (ACSSU153)

Elaborations
  • representing the stages in the formation of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, including indications of timescales involved
  • identifying a range of common rock types using a key based on observable physical and chemical properties
  • recognising that rocks are a collection of different minerals
  • considering the role of forces and energy in the formation of different types of rocks and minerals
  • recognising that some rocks and minerals, such as ores, provide valuable resources
ScOT terms

Rock types,  Minerals (Mineralogy),  Earth movements

Interactive

Sites2See: Volcanoes

Links to resources outlining some famous volcanic eruptions and explaining the types and causes of volcanic activity.

Interactive

Robert Jones Masterclass

Robert Jones is a palaeontologist at the Australian Museum. In this masterclass of 16 video segments he answers questions from teacher Helen Thompson and students from Balmain High School about the fossils of Gondwana and Australian fossils in general. The resource includes teaching notes and links to related websites.

Interactive

Pitfall Game

Students simulate being a palaeontologist. They have to choose the correct equipment and dig for virtual mega fauna fossil bones online with this OZ Fossils game.

Interactive

Sites2See: Databases for science

A page with downloadable examples, exemplars and advice to help integrate database use in teaching and learning for science. Includes suggestions and reasons for using databases in science, practise activities and information on research and benefits, plus links to a range of related resources.

Interactive

Oresome world

This interactive resource takes students on a journey of discovery in the energy and mining world. Oresome world contains five games or modules: Coal, Energy, Gas, Low emissions and Mining, and within each of these there are several facilities to explore, such as the Underground mining site, Hydroelectric power station, ...

Interactive

Sites2See – earthquakes

Resources on the topic of earthquakes to help explore the human and physical dimensions. Links to maps and interactive activities on plate tectonics, with a particular focus on the Caribbean plate, the movement of which caused the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, and links to news and information about the ...

Interactive

Day and Night

Students use this resource consisting of five slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how the movement of the Earth causes day and night, the apparent daily movement of the Sun from east to west and the orbit of the Earth over one year. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Predicting earthquakes: are we there yet?

Ask and expert' ABC article exemplifies some creative approaches of scientists to the significant problem of predicting earthquakes. The science behind the various methods is outlined, their successes and failures and problems for possible future developments.

Interactive

Earth rotation: night and day

Watch an animation of the Earth rotating in space showing day and night, the equinox where locations on Earth experience close to equal hours of daytime and night-time (12 hours) and views of the Earth from above the North and South Poles. Turn an animated model of the Earth to explore how rotation is related to night and ...

Interactive

Tectonic boundaries

Apply different tectonic forces to plate boundaries. Compare the effects when plates collide, separate, or slide past each other. Investigate the causes of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. Investigate important boundary sites, for example the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Andes, the San Andreas Fault, the Himalayas, and the ...

Interactive

Tectonics investigator

Investigate the internal structure of the Earth using earthquake measurements. Examine the Earth’s outer layer. Fit the Earth's tectonic plates together like a jigsaw puzzle. Identify how plate movements produce many features of the Earth’s surface. Predict the formation of new volcanic islands. This learning object is ...

Online

Secondary science: visual representations

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'visual representations' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers assist students to understand ...

Interactive

Copper processing

This interactive activity allows students to explore the processes involved in the mining and processing of copper ore and the production of copper. Students initially put the processes in the correct sequence and then select each stage to animate it and access relevant information. The smelting stage includes an activity ...

Interactive

Tsunami: the ultimate guide

This comprehensive web resource provides a series of six interactive slide shows (chapters) that introduce the cause and impacts of tsunami with a focus on Australia, Asia and Pacific regions. Produced by experts in the field, this information is clearly and simply described. The engaging presentation is enriched with photography, ...