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.

Online

Water: learn it for life! - year 7 science

This PDF unit of work is one of a series of resources accessible by searching the list in the series.It includes two teaching and learning sequences: 'Water journeys' focuses on the water cycle, and 'Pure water' focuses on the processes and people involved in creating and managing drinkable water. It provides Australian ...

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.

Text

The price of peak fuel

This ABC In Depth feature article discusses the projections of how long will our energy resources will last given that our need for fossil fuels is insatiable, but coal, oil, gas and uranium reserves are finite and some may even be in decline. This article is comprehensive, but it is dated at 2008.

Video

BTN: A career as a geologist

Do all scientists wear white lab coats and work with chemicals? Watch this clip and discover how a career in science can take you soaring to dizzying heights. Find out what an exploration geologist does and why helicopters are used in the job. This clip will inspire you to consider a career in one of the many varied fields ...

Video

Catalyst: How metamorphic rocks are formed

Imagine the forces required to change one type of rock into another type. Listen to presenter, Bernie Hobbs, explain the forces that transform sedimentary rocks to metamorphic rocks. She visits the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to demonstrate how limestone can be transformed into its matching ...

Online

School of rocks: teacher resource

In this structured inquiry unit of work students explore the formation of rocks and minerals. They investigate how the properties of rocks and minerals are related to their use, and how these naturally occurring materials provide valuable resources for human activity. Students also investigate the effects of volcanic activity, ...

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, ...

Text

World's deltas subsiding, says study

This brief ABC News in Science article from 2009 describes how two-thirds of the world's major deltas, home to nearly half a billion people, are caught between sinking land and rising seas, according to a new study. A very good example of an explanatory text dealing with examples of the impacts of human activity including ...

Text

Geography: Landscapes and Landforms

Join Shona from Geoscience Australia and explore the formation of Australia's coastal, desert and mountain landforms and landscapes.

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, ...

Text

Where do volcanoes occur?

This is an online resource about where volcanoes occur, part of a larger resource about volcanoes. It provides: important information about the occurrence of volcanoes close to the Earth's tectonic plate boundaries; a map showing the Earth's tectonic plate boundaries; and, near the bottom of the screen, a link to a map ...

Text

About tsunami warnings

This resource is a Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) web page describing the system of warnings of tsunami threats to Australia's coastline and offshore territories. The resource explains the role of the Australian Tsunami Warning System (ATWS) project, and the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) operated by Geoscience ...

Text

Australian tsunami newsroom guide

This resource is a joint Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and Geoscience Australia media guide PDF designed to assist the media to communicate tsunami warnings to the Australian public. The resource explains the role of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) operated by Geoscience Australia and the Bureau. The resource ...

Text

Copper processing

Find out how copper ore is extracted and turned into copper metal. This is a PowerPoint presentation showing the properties, uses and extraction of copper. It includes details of the mining and processing of copper ore, as well as smelting, converting and refining to produce copper metal. Most slides contain photographs ...

Online

Blue marble matches - activity

This is a resource for educators outlining practical activities that explore geological processes on Earth and how to identify geological features in images. It demonstrates how scientists use the Earth to gain a better understanding of other planetary bodies in the solar system through examining images of their geological ...

Image

Earthquakes

This is an online resource about current earthquake activity in Australia and the wider region. The resource provides a map and a satellite image of near real-time earthquake activity in the last seven days. Links on the map provide further details and information about individual earthquake events. The resource also contains ...

Text

What causes volcanoes?

This is an online resource about the causes of volcanoes, part of a larger resource about volcanoes. It includes sections on the Earth's tectonic plate margins spreading, the Earth's tectonic plate margins subducting, and predicting volcanic eruptions. The image at the top of the screen illustrates the inside workings of ...