Sydney Technical High School

Manners Makyth Man

Telephone02 8566 2600

Emailsydneytech-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

HSC Course Topics - Earth and Environmental Science (Year 12)

The Year 12 EES course builds on Year 11 concepts and explores Earth’s history, natural hazards, climate change, and environmental management. Students analyse contemporary scientific challenges and evaluate how science contributes to sustainable futures.

The HSC course includes four modules:

  1. Earth’s Processes
    Students examine geologic time, fossil formation, and dating techniques. They investigate sedimentary processes, rock formation, and the fossil record to interpret Earth’s history.

  2. Hazards
    This module explores natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and storms. Students investigate the causes, effects, prediction, and management of these events.

  3. Climate Science
    Students explore the Earth’s past, present, and future climate systems. They examine atmospheric composition, the greenhouse effect, paleoclimatology, and the use of models to predict climate trends.

  4. Resource Management
    Students evaluate human use of natural resources, with emphasis on environmental sustainability and ecosystem management. They explore water, soil, mineral, and energy resources and examine case studies of successful and problematic management practices.

Fieldwork and Depth Study

Students complete a Depth Study to explore a particular issue, process, or case study in greater depth.

To support this, students:

  • Undertake field excursions to geological and environmental sites

  • Collect and analyse first-hand data

  • Evaluate human-environment interactions using real-world examples

These experiences prepare students for further study in environmental science, sustainability, earth sciences, and related university pathways.