L3ESSC01

Level 3 Earth and Space Science

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr R. Hodson.

This course is for learners interested in understanding Oceanography, Meteorology, Space exploration in the search for life within the solar system, Planetary bombardment and impact craters, and challenges facing humans regarding Climate change. There is a teaching and learning focus on Earth systems but learners can adapt their topics of study for internal assessment to focus on Space related themes.

Learners can attain University Entrance from this course by completing all four internal assessments (4cr each). Learners entering this course need to have good time management skills and be able to work independently on research and media production tasks (writing articles and making video presentations). The maximum number of credits learners should be attaining in this course is 16. The minimum to ensure that the learner obtains NCEA L3 is 12 credits (3 standards). It is relatively easy to obtain endorsement in this course by completing one external standard, usually ocean systems (AS91413) in addition to three internal assessments.

Course Overview

Term 1
Introductory teaching and learning for geological, hydrological and meteorological systems.
AS91411 - Socio-scientific Issue.
AS91410 - Investigation setup

Term 2
AS91410 - Investigation data gathering
AS91415 - Aspect of Astronomy - Life on other planets/moons in the solar system.

Term 3
AS91410 - Investigation final write up
AS91412 - Dating a geological event - Chicxulub impactor event.
Optional AS91413 - Ocean systems.

Term 4
AS91412 - Dating a geological event - Chicxulub impactor event.
Optional AS91413 - Ocean systems.

Recommended Prior Learning

None

Course Contribution and Equipment (this value is only indicative)

Course workbook ($30).

Career Pathways

Course Skills

Assessment Information

UE can be obtained in this course without completing examinations.
Examinations are optional for learners seeking endorsement or entry into Tertiary level Earth Science courses.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 12
Internal Assessed Credits: 12
External Assessed Credits: 0
Optional Credits Available: 18
Optional Internal Assessed Credits: 10
Optional External Assessed Credits: 8
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91411 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.2 - Investigate a socio-scientific issue in an Earth and Space Science context


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 10

A.S. 91412 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.3 - Investigate the evidence related to dating geological event(s)


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 4

A.S. 91415 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.6 - Investigate an aspect of astronomy


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 2, Week: 8

Credit Summary
Total Credits: 12
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 8
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Optional Assessments

This course offers the following optional standards, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your teacher.

Optional Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91101 v2
NZQA Info

English 2.4 - Produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing

Only to be completed if learner needs extra UE writing credits and should only be attempted with assistance from Social Science or English faculty.


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 6w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91410 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.1 - Carry out an independent practical Earth and Space Science investigation


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 3

A.S. 91413 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of processes in the ocean system


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 7

A.S. 91414 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of processes in the atmosphere system


Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 7

Credit Summary
Total Credits: 18
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 6
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 18
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Although we aim to enable every learner to have the course that they prefer,  limited places or learning requirements may restrict learners' choices.