Earth and Environmental Science: Units 1 to 4 explained
Earth systems, resources and natural hazards
The senior science of the whole planet: how the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere interact as one system, how we use Earth's resources, and how Earth's hazards are managed. It suits students interested in geology, environmental management, climate and sustainability.
Honest note on coverage: ChalkBee has no Year 11-12 worksheets for this subject yet. This page is curriculum reference, how the national subject is organised, plus links to the ChalkBee Foundation to Year 10 content that genuinely leads into it.
The four units
Like every ACARA senior secondary subject, Earth and Environmental Science runs across four units: Units 1 and 2 are usually taken in Year 11, Units 3 and 4 in Year 12, with achievement standards described for each pair.
Students develop the Earth system model: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere and their interactions. They examine the evidence for how these systems formed and developed over geological time.
Earth processes are reframed as energy transfers and transformations between systems: solar radiation driving climate and the water cycle, and Earth's internal heat driving plate tectonics. Students analyse how these flows interrelate the four systems.
Students apply Earth system thinking to renewable and non-renewable resources: how they form, how extraction and consumption affect interacting systems, and the strategies used to manage them sustainably.
Naturally occurring and human-influenced hazards, from earthquakes and severe weather to climate-linked events. Students examine how hazards are predicted, managed and mitigated to reduce their impact on communities and environments.
How it is assessed
Set by each state authority, typically fieldwork or practical investigations plus an external exam. EES is offered in fewer schools than the other three sciences, so availability varies; check your school's subject list early.
Remember: ACARA publishes the national subject, but your state authority runs the actual course, assessment and certificate. See how each state and territory differs.
Where ChalkBee fits today
ChalkBee has no Year 11-12 Earth and Environmental Science worksheets yet. The Year 9-10 earth and space sciences codes below carry the system-thinking this subject extends.
Related Foundation to Year 10 content
- AC9S10U04: Climate change and energy flow
Year 10 energy-flow models between Earth's spheres are exactly Unit 2's frame.
- AC9S10U03: The big bang theory
Year 10 cosmology gives the deep-time perspective Unit 1 assumes.
- AC9S9U03: The carbon cycle
The Year 9 carbon cycle is a worked example of the system interactions in Units 1 and 3.
Other Science senior subjects
Unit structure verified against the official ACARA senior secondary Earth and Environmental Science pages (Australian Curriculum v8.4). Descriptions are paraphrased in our own words; the authoritative wording is ACARA's, and your state or territory authority's syllabus governs what is actually taught and assessed. Senior secondary is a live area of change, so confirm current details with your state authority before relying on them.