Year 7 Science STUDY GUIDE: Earth and the Solar System
Here is a summary of the knowledge areas and learning activities you will
undertake during this Focus Study. The Study commences on Tuesday 26th August
and finishes on Friday 5th September.
The main reading reference for this Study is Pearson Science NSW 8 Chapter 8 –
Rocks and Minerals (I will provide a copy of this chapter for you to use) and
Pearson Science NSW 7 Chapter 8 – Earth in Space.
You will undertake 3 Practical Activities to explore the concept that sedimentary,
igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that
occur within Earth over a variety of timescales
You will:
a. describe the structure of the Earth in terms of core, mantle, crust and
lithosphere
b. relate the formation of a range of landforms to physical and chemical
weathering, erosion and deposition
c. outline the origins of and relationships between sedimentary, igneous and
metamorphic rocks
d. identify that sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals
e. classify a variety of common rocks and minerals into groups according to
their observable properties
f. describe the conditions under which fossils form
g. outline how geological history can be interpreted in a sequence of
horizontal sedimentary layers, in which the oldest are at the base and the
youngest at the top
h. describe examples to show how people use understanding and skills from
across the disciplines of science in occupations related to the exploration,
mining or processing of minerals in Australia
Further Activities will emphasise that scientific knowledge changes as new
evidence becomes available. Some technological developments and scientific
discoveries have significantly changed people's understanding of the solar system.
You will:
a. explain that predictable phenomena on the Earth, including day and night,
seasons and eclipses are caused by the relative positions of the sun, the
Earth and the moon
b. demonstrate, using examples, how ideas by people from different cultures
have contributed to the current understanding of the solar system
c. compare historical and current models of the solar system to show how
models are modified or rejected as a result of new scientific evidence
d. describe some examples of how technological advances have led to
discoveries and increased scientific understanding of the solar system
During the study you will be given a Research task to be completed in your own
time. A copy of this task is attached. The Task will have levels of challenge. This
Task will be part of your Summative Assessment (Grade).
There will be no textbook Assignments during this study.
Instead, you will keep a record of all your Practical Activities, which you will
submit for assessment. Your Prac book will be Formatively assessed, that is, you
will receive a mark grade but it will be for learning purposes only and will not
contribute to your final BOSTES Grade.
On the final day of the study you will be given a test on your ability to recall and
apply your knowledge and understanding. This test will also be a Summative
assessment task used to determine a Grade.
Assessment
Assessment for the Unit will include a Research Task, titled ‘Coal Seam Gas and
the Sydney Basin’, your Practical Book record and Unit topic test on the last day
of the study.
Grading
For this Unit of study you will also be offered a Board of Studies Grading from A
to E, which is a measure of your overall performance, based on only on the
Summative assessment activities.
Research Task: Coal Seam Gas and the Sydney Basin
To be submitted on, Monday 8th September
Coal Seam gas is a resource that can be extracted from underground and used as a
fuel.
This Research is about how it is formed and how it can be extracted and used
We live in the Blue Mountains which is part of a larger Geological region called
the Sydney Basin
Foundation
1. Describe what is meant by the term Sydney Basin
2. Draw a simple map showing the size of the Sydney Basin and the major
towns and cities in the Basin
3. Outline how the Basin formed
4. State the age the Sydney Basin
5. List the major rock types found in the Basin
6. List where coal is mined in the Sydney Basin
7. Describe how it is mined and transported
8. Explain how coal forms
9. List some uses for coal
10. Describe what coal seam gas is
11. Describe how they plan to get the gas out from under the ground
Standard
12. Summarise the arguments for and against coal seam gas extraction in the
Sydney Basin
13. What to do think should happen? Justify your answer
Advanced
14. What do you think will happen about coal seam gas in the Sydney Basin?
Explain your answer
15. What other economically valuable sedimentary rocks are found in the
Sydney Basin?
16. Choose one of these rock types and explain why it is economically
important, how it is extracted, how it is processed, transported and what
its final uses are.
17. Are there any other types of non-sedimentary rocks mined or extracted in
the Sydney Basin? Provide an example