Earth and Environmental Science 11–12
Resources and support to plan, program and assess the Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 course.
Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Earth and Environmental Science Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2028, with planning beginning in 2026.
Resources will be developed to support teachers in planning and programming.
The new Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025):
- to be implemented from 2028, with planning beginning in 2026
- the syllabus will be taught to Year 11 from Term 1, 2028
- schools are to begin teaching Year 12 in Term 4, 2028
- the first HSC examination will be in 2029.
Resources
Resources to support the implementation of the Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025) will include a scope and sequence, sample assessment and teaching and learning materials.
Scope and sequence
Scope and sequences can be used as a basis for the teacher’s own program, assessment, or scope and sequence, or as an example of how the new curriculum could be implemented.
Scope and sequence – Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 (DOCX 3.7 MB)
Environmental Science Syllabus (2017)
The Environmental Science Syllabus (2017) is to be taught until implementation of the new Earth and Environmental Science Syllabus (2025) from 2028.
The following support materials may be adapted by teachers to meet the individual needs of their schools.
Subject overview
Earth and Environmental Science builds upon the knowledge and Working scientifically skills gained from the Earth and Space strand taught in science K–10. Students engage with the processes that have come to shape and influence the physical and biological worlds.
Earth and Environmental Science lies at the intersection between the Earth's 4 spheres. As such, it has a unique opportunity to give students an ability to become aware of, and better understand, the interconnectedness of the natural sciences that may otherwise be missed.
The syllabus maintains an equal focus on Earth science and environmental science. Throughout the course, an emphasis is placed on the processes that bring about natural phenomena that can be observed all over the Earth, including a student's local environment creating a sense of relevance and connectedness with the subject. There are opportunities for students to engage in contemporary Earth science, including human impacts, climate science and resource management.
This 2026 Earth and Environmental Science Stage 6 Quick Reference Guide (PDF 256 KB) provides an overview of support available to implement the Earth and Environmental Science Syllabus (2017).
Module resources and guides
Year 11
- Module 1 – rocks and minerals unit plan (DOCX 4.0 MB)
- Module 1 – guide (DOCX 7.0 MB)
- Module 2 – evidence for plate tectonics (DOCX 5.5 MB)
- Module 3 – energy transformations unit plan (DOCX 4.0 MB)
- Module 3 – energy transformations assessment task (DOCX 3.3 MB)
- Module 3 – energy transformations practical task (DOCX 3.7 MB)
- Module 4 – water management activity booklet (DOCX 3.8 MB)
- Module 4 – depth study (DOCX 3.5 MB)
Year 12
- Module 5 – guide (DOCX 485 KB)
- Module 5 – modelling the plate tectonic supercycle (DOCX 621 KB)
- Module 6 – guide (DOCX 353 KB)
- Module 6 – hazards teaching and learning program (DOCX 77 KB)
- Module 6 – magma viscosity tasks (DOCX 5.2 MB)
- Module 7 – guide (DOCX 493 KB)
- Module 7 – natural processes unit plan and booklet (DOCX 4.5 MB)
- Module 7 – mangroves and rising sea level (DOCX 3.6 MB)
- Module 8 – guide (DOCX 528 KB)
- Year 12 modules problem set (DOCX 7.9 MB)
General resources
- Evaluating scientific investigations Stage 4–6 (DOCX 6.6 MB)
- Evaluating scientific investigations abridged (DOCX 70 KB)
- Indigenous perspectives (DOCX 3.8 MB)
- Inspired scientific thinking (DOCX 44 KB)
- Investigation planning sheet (DOCX 44 KB)
- Resource links (DOCX 4.2 MB)
- Risk analysis table (DOCX 45 KB)
- Self assessment strategy met not met I noticed (DOCX 53 KB)
- Student reflection science investigations (DOCX 151 KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (DOCX 46 KB)
External resources
The following websites may be useful for the teaching of Earth and Environmental Science.
- Australian Earth Science Education – presentations, investigations and readings mapped to the NSW Stage 6 curriculum.
- Geoscience Australia – virtual exhibits, videos, teacher resource booklets and student activities.
- Teacher Earth Science Education Programme (TESEP) – online and in the field professional learning for teachers, teaching resources and interactive online student resources.