Energy and Sustainabiity Program 2024
Energy and Sustainabiity Program 2024
The program includes the SCSA (School Curriculum and Standards Authority) content, 21CLD elements (self-regulation,
knowledge construction, ICT and skillful communication), study skills and ‘Habits of Mind’ skills
Science Content Descriptions
Science Understanding
Earth and Space Sciences/Biological Sciences
Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere (ACSSU189)
1. Investigating how human activity affects global systems
2. Modelling a cycle, such as the water, carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus cycle within the biosphere
3. Explaining the causes and effects of the greenhouse effect
4. Investigating the effect of climate change on sea levels and biodiversity
5. Considering the long-term effects of loss of biodiversity
6. Investigating currently occurring changes to permafrost and sea ice and the impacts of these changes
7. Examining the factors that drive the deep ocean currents, their role in regulating global climate, and their effects on marine life
Chemical Sciences
Different types of chemical reactions are used to produce a range of products and can occur at different rates (ACSSU187)
1. investigating how chemistry can be used to produce a range of useful substances such as fuels, metals and pharmaceuticals
2. predicting the products of different types of simple chemical reactions
3. using word or symbol equations to represent chemical reactions
4. investigating the effect of a range of factors, such as temperature and catalysts, on the rate of chemical reactions
Physical Sciences
Energy conservation in a system can be explained by describing energy transfers and transformations (ACSSU190)
1. Recognising that the Law of Conservation of Energy explains that total energy is maintained in energy transfer and transformation
2. Recognising that in energy transfer and transformation, a variety of processes can occur, so that the usable energy is reduced and the system is not
100% efficient
3. Using models to describe how energy is transferred and transformed within systems
Communicating
Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific
language, conventions and representations (ACSIS208)
Sustainable Systems of Energy Program 2024 Page 3 of 14 PMS
1. Constructing evidence based arguments and engaging in debate about scientific ideas.
2. constructing evidence based arguments and engaging in debate about scientific ideas
3. presenting results and ideas using formal experimental reports, oral presentations, slide shows, poster presentations and contributing to group
discussions
4. Using a range of representations, including mathematical and symbolic forms, to communicate science ideas
LINKS TO SENIOR EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE /BIOLOGICAL / CHEMICAL /PHYSICAL SCIENCE
COURSES
Earth and Environmental Science
1. Understand how theories and models have developed based on evidence from multiple disciplines; and the uses and limitations of Earth and
environmental science knowledge in a range of contexts
2. Use science inquiry skills to collect, analyse and communicate primary and secondary data on Earth and environmental phenomena; and use these as
analogues to deduce and analyse events that occurred in the past.
3. Communicate Earth and environmental understanding using qualitative and quantitative representations in appropriate modes and genres.
4. Understand how energy is transferred and transformed in Earth systems, the factors that influence these processes, and the dynamics of energy loss
and gain.
5. Understand how energy transfers and transformations influence oceanic, atmospheric and biogeochemical cycling.
6. Understand how theories and models have developed based on evidence from multiple disciplines; and the uses and limitations of Earth and
environmental science knowledge in a range of contexts.
7. Evaluate, with reference to empirical evidence, claims about energy transfers and transformations between and within Earth systems.
8. Understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable Earth resources and how their extraction, use, consumption and disposal impact
Earth systems.
9. Understand how renewable resources can be sustainably extracted, used and consumed at local, regional and global scales.
10. Understand how models and theories have developed over time; and the ways in which Earth and environmental science knowledge interacts with
social, economic, cultural and ethical considerations in a range of contexts.
11. Understand the causes of Earth hazards and the ways in which they impact, and are impacted by, Earth systems
12. Understand how environmental change is modelled, and how the reliability of these models influences predictions of future events and changes
Carbon bonding. 1. State what organic chemistry is. 21CLD/ICT – Use RESOURCES
3 Term 3
Enrichment
19. Research the aromatic hydrocarbons and how they are
used in industry.
Energy changes in 1. State what is meant by endothermic and exothermic Science skills: RESOURCES
4-5 Term 3
reactions. reactions. Observation skills Notes in Energy Changes folder on
Weeks 4
Energy profile 2. Describe the energy changes (ΔH) that occur during in practicals. Connect.
(part) & 5
diagrams. endothermic and exothermic reactions using +/-. Understand the
Energy Catalysts. 3. Use the terms systems and surroundings to relate the difference ASSESSMENT
Changes energy transfer during a reaction. between theory, Worksheets and homework as part
4. Contrast the differences between endothermic and inference & of teacher mark. (5%)
exothermic reactions, in terms of temperature change observation Test on Organic Chemistry (80%)
and energy transfer. through practical
5. Define and describe activation energy (EA) as the energy work. PRACTICALS
required for reactants to be able to react. Graph skills Exothermic and Endothermic
6. State the key features of a catalyst (increases rate of (A key Chemistry reactions
reaction, takes part in reaction but not consumed so can SIS skill, and the (See sheet in resources folder, and
be reused) other Sciences) technicians for support)
7. Describe how a catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction (R) CAT: Energy released from fuels
(reduction of EA so greater proportion of reactants can (15%) – Term 3 Week 5 (approx.)
react). 2 periods
8. Draw and analyse energy profile diagrams, including use o Students work in groups to
of: reactants and products, ∆H positive or negative, Ea collect experimental data
forward and reverse, transition state, with and without a from combustion reaction
catalyst. of fuel
9. Write equations for reactions that involve energy o Students complete short
changes. validation test assessing
10. Identify exothermic and endothermic reactions from relevant SIS skills:
quantitative experimental data. Hypothesis and
11. Use data from reactions to compare fuels. variables
Enrichment
14. Research how catalysts are used to reduce emissions
from vehicle engines.
15. Research what a catalyst inhibitor is, and how it effects a
catalysed reaction.
Bohr model. 1. Recall Bohr’s model of the atom with a focus on the Study skills: RESOURCES
6–7 Term 3
Strong nuclear nucleus (Year 9). Learning SPICE UWA: Year 11-12 : The
Weeks 6 - 10
force vs. 2. Recall what is meant by atomic number, atomic mass, definitions University of Western Australia
Nuclear electromagnetic protons, neutrons (Year 9) (specific, not (uwa.edu.au)
Energy repulsion. 3. State definitions of nucleons, strong nuclear force, vague) (T) Notes in Nuclear Physics folder on
Stability of electromagnetic force, radioactive decay Connect.
nucleus, binding 4. Relate knowledge of strong nuclear force and (counters) http://www.bozemanscience.com/
energy and electromagnetic force to the stability of nucleus. Relate ap-phys-003-the-nucleus
BE/nucleon. binding energy to stability of a nucleus and relate to http://www.bozemanscience.com/
Radioactive decay nuclei becoming radioactive. ap-phys-136-radioactive-decay
5. Describe the different types of radiation (alpha, beta, https://www.youtube.com/watch?
gamma) and explain the differences between them in v=KWAsz59F8gA (Crash Course
terms of mass, charge, speed, ionising ability and Nuclear Chemistry)
penetrating power.
6. Identify specific materials that stop the different types of Study skill: ASSESSMENT
radiation. Communication Worksheets and homework as part of
7. Write and balance nuclear reactions for radioactive in different ways teacher mark. (5%)
decay (T) CAT: Report on nuclear issue (15%)
8. State what a half-life is and explain that different Can be peer marked in small groups
isotopes have different levels of stability. to save time
9. Interpret half-life graphs that measure mass, number of Test on nuclear physics (80%)
nuclei, percentage and activity (counts per
sec/becquerels)
Nuclear power 17. Describe the main components of nuclear power SPICE Nuclear Reactor (Extension
9-10
stations. Basic stations. In particular, reactor vessel (encases and work and worksheets)
structure and prevents radiation from escaping), the control rods iScience10, Unit 8, pages 1275
operation. (function in controlling nuclear reactions), fuel rods, Nuclear Power station parts
steam generator (heat exchanger + turbine + generator), https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/
moderator (slows neutrons eg graphite or heavy water). Los_Angeles_Trade_Technical_Colleg
18. Explain, in simple terms, how nuclear power stations e/
work to generate electricity. A nuclear reactor is a device Foundations_of_Introductory_Chemi
in which nuclear reactions are generated, and the chain stry-
reaction is controlled to release large amount of steady 1/1.14%3A_Nuclear_Chemistry/
heat, thereby producing energy. 19.08%3A_Nuclear_Reactors
19. Describe an uncontrolled reaction in terms of neutrons Nuclear Power stations steps
escaping too quickly to maintain a chain reaction, https://energyeducation.ca/
resulting in the rapid release of nuclear energy, causing encyclopedia/Nuclear_power_plant
an explosion. Contrast this with a controlled reaction.
20. Analyse some advantages and disadvantages of using Practical: Model a controlled nuclear
nuclear energy to generate electricity. reaction with dominoes in straight line.
Model an uncontrolled nuclear reaction
with dominoes in a spreading fan shape.
Extension
Discuss how radioisotopes are used in medicine.
Enrichment
Research the work of Niels Bohr.
Theorise about the impact of different sources of
radiation used in everyday life.
Reflect on nuclear power as an alternative energy
source. What considerations would need to be
made?
Human Biology & Biology: Health & Disease Topic – See separate program
Term 4 Weeks 1 - 5
Exam covers all content before this point, none of the later
Term 4
material.
Weeks 6 & 7
EXAMS
Reflection questions: