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

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View on Australian Curriculum website Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
Curriculum content descriptions

investigate tectonic activity including the formation of geological features at divergent, convergent and transform plate boundaries and describe the scientific evidence for the theory of plate tectonics (AC9S8U03)

Elaborations
  • examining patterns of earthquake and volcanic activity over time and proposing explanations
  • evaluating the impact of tectonic events on human populations and examining engineering solutions designed to reduce the impact
  • modelling interactions at plate boundaries
  • investigating the relative significance of different forces involved in tectonic plate movement including slab pull, ridge push and convection
  • relating the extreme age and stability of a large part of the Australian continent to its plate tectonic history
  • constructing a timeline of evidence to show the development of the theory of plate tectonics
  • exploring how geologist and oceanographic cartographer Marie Tharp’s topographic maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor provided support for the acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics
  • researching First Nations Australians’ cultural accounts that provide evidence of earthquakes and volcanoes
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Earth movements,  Tectonic plates,  Landforms

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20 direct matches to AC9S8U03

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Earthquake shake | Questacon

  • TLF-IDA006025

In this activity, students build a model bridge and test it in earthquake-simulated conditions. They are then challenged to consider the performance of their structure and redesign and build an improved bridge. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions of what to do and notice, questions to ask, an explanation ...

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Liquefaction tank | Questacon

  • TLF-IDA006024

In this activity, students explore how liquefaction can occur in sandy soils during an earthquake. They build their own model with different physical conditions, simulate an earthquake and observe the outcome. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions of what to do and notice, questions to ask, an explanation ...

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Digital tectonics

  • TLF-IDA005776

This set of learning activities challenges students to use accessible digital technologies and hands-on engineering to measure simulated seismic vibrations, analyse and present data, and determine criteria for the design of earthquake tolerant buildings. The module includes a comprehensive teacher guide, curriculum links, ...

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Geography: Landscapes and Landforms

  • TLF-IDA004128

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

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Mapping the ocean floor

  • TLF-IDA004004

This activity builds understanding of sonar technique and applications through processing and plotting data to discover a seafloor feature and by bouncing balls on different surfaces and analysing rebound, relating this to ground hardness then extend understanding to 'backscatter' in bathymetry surveys. It is suitable for ...

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Analysis of earthquakes using real map and data sets

  • TLF-IDA004001

This teacher guide provides information about earthquakes and online portals to download real world earthquake data, as well as two student inquiry activities. Each activity includes instructions on how to access and use the relevant portal as well as questions that prompt students to find, record, and interpret the data. ...

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Tectonic Plates Jigsaw Puzzle

  • TLF-IDA004000

This activity invites students to develop their understanding of tectonic plates using a kinaesthetic puzzle. The teacher guide includes the puzzle pieces to print and cut, equipment and instructions, suggestions for student activities and links to further information and videos about tectonic plates.

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Make your own microbit seismometer instructions and classroom activities

  • TLF-IDA003999

This 12 page guide explains how to set up a micro:bit as a mini seismometer that will detect shaking, and how to collect and display the data. The guide also includes classroom-ready activities on how to introduce and explore vibrations and earthquake monitoring.

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Plate tectonics globe tennis ball activity

  • TLF-IDA003998

This activity is designed to help students visualise plate boundaries on a spherical Earth, rather than on a flat map. The downloadable PDF includes a model to cut out that shows major plate boundaries, boundary types and highlights our own Indo-Australian plate. The activity includes assembly instructions and pieces to ...

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Spaghetti Quakes

  • TLF-IDA003994

This activity explains commonly used magnitude scales, provides background information on earthquake intensity and includes an extension task to map the impact of an earthquake. The worksheet activity can be adapted for student needs.

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Volcanic hazards: What would an Emergency Manager do?

  • TLF-IDA003993

This activity examines a hypothetical city and its vulnerability to volcanic hazard risk. It includes background information for teachers, PowerPoint presentation, student activity sheet and worked answers.

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Tsunami - Teacher Notes and Student Activities

  • TLF-IDA003991

This 35 page booklet explores tsunamis, what generates tsunamis, where they occur, what happens when they reach land, how tsunamis impact Australians, and the role Geoscience Australia plays in providing the Australian Tsunami Warning System. The booklet contains a glossary, links to online resources, activity ideas and ...

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Earthquakes - Teacher Notes and Student Activities

  • TLF-IDA003987

This 85 page booklet explores earthquakes. The booklet includes the causes and types of earthquakes, how earthquakes are recorded, magnitudes of earthquakes and case studies of significant Australian earthquakes. The booklet contains a glossary, links to online resources, activity ideas and experiments for students and ...

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Volcanoes : Teacher notes and student activities

  • TLF-IDA003985

This 80 page booklet covers a range of topics concerning volcanoes. It includes information about causes of volcanic eruptions, volcano types, where volcanoes are found and why, Australia's hot spot volcanoes and the hazards and benefits of volcanoes. Activities cover the science of eruptions and their impact on people, ...

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Video

Earthquake monitoring

  • TLF-IDA003976

This video introduces earthquake monitoring using seismometers and seismographs. It also features the National Earthquake Alert Centre. Students are asked to try making earthquakes at home using the accelerometers in their smartphones.

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Video

Introduction to tectonic plates (primary)

  • TLF-IDA003973

This short video is targeted at upper primary students but is suitable for a wider audience. It introduces the concept of tectonic plates making use of a tectonic plates puzzle. Students are asked to predict the direction and speed of plate movement and consider where and why earthquakes happen on the Australian Plate.

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Video

Understanding the National Earthquake Alerts Centre

  • TLF-IDA003970

This video introduces the National Earthquake Alerts Centre. The video explains that earthquakes are detected by a network of seismometers; each station sends seismic information for analysis and checking by seismologists on duty. The video describes the types of wave forms in earthquakes and the sequence of events in ...

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Video

Bathymetry of Australia

  • TLF-IDA003968

This video is a flythrough around the coast of Australia shows the major topographic features of the seafloor around the continent. Starting in the south west the viewer can see the continental shelf and slope of the southern coast followed by the seamount chains and the Great Barrier Reef to the east. Continuing around ...

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See how they run

  • TLF-IDA003995

This activity introduces lava viscosity and influence on volcanic cone shape. The download includes background information for teachers and an activity sheet for students. The activity involves making lava slime and racing this down a slope. Participants are asked to predict how lava viscosity might influence volcanic shape ...

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What is a volcano?

  • TLF-IDM012554

This is an online resource about volcanoes that provides important information about what a volcano is, describes the three most common volcanoes and explains hazards caused by volcanic eruptions. Links in the right-hand menu provide additional volcano-related resources including publications, a volcano library catalogue ...

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