Water in the World

Water in the World

Classification of environmental resources and the way that water connects and changes places as it moves through environments. (AC9HG7K01)

Elaboration: Explaining how the movement of water, such as groundwater, soil moisture (green water), surface water in dams, rivers and lakes (blue water), through environment connects places and how water is a potential resource when it exists as salt water, ice or water vapour.

Explaining the environmental, economic or social effects of water as it connects places.

Explaining how moving water changes places; for example, moving water causes soil and rock erosion or cuts valleys into mountains.

The location and distribution of water resources in Australia, their implications, and strategies to manage the sustainability of water. (AC9HG7K02)

Elaborations: Identifying the causes of variability in water resources or water scarcity; for example, an absolute shortage of water (physical cause), inadequate development of water resources (economic cause), or the ways water is used (such as farming, industry, drinking, washing or watering).

Explaining the factors that contribute to variability in water resources or water scarcity; for example location, climate, topography, seasonality or evaporation.

Examining how a strategy may manage the sustainability of water resources; for example, recycling (grey water), stormwater harvesting and re-use, desalination, inter-regional transfer of water and reducing water consumption.

The economic, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic value of water for people, including First Nations Australians.  (AC9HG7K03)

Elaboration: Discussing the multilayered meanings (material, cultural and spiritual wellbeing) associated with rivers, waterways, waterholes, seas, lakes, soaks and springes for First Nations Australians.

The causes and impacts of an atmospheric or hydrological hazard, and responses from communities and governments. (AC9HG7K04)

Elaboration: Explaining the environmental processes that cause a hazard, such as drought, storms, tropical cyclones or floods.

Questioning and Researching using Geographical methods

Develop questions for a geographical inquiry related to a phenomenon or challenge. (AC9HG7S01)

Collect, organise and represent data and information from primary research methods, including fieldwork and secondary research materials, using geospatial technologies and digital tools as appropriate. (AC9HG7S02)

Concluding and Decision Making

Draw conclusions based on the analysis of the data and information. (AC9HG7S04)

Identify a strategy for action in relation to environmental, economic, social or other factors, and explain potential impacts. (AC9HG7S05)

Communicating

Create descriptions, explanations and responses, using geographical knowledge and methods, concepts, terms and reference sources.  (AC9HG7S06)

Science as a Human Endeavour

Nature and Development of Science

Explain how new evidence or different perspectives can lead to changes in scientific knowledge. (AC9S7H01)

Elaboration: Investigating how the land management practices of First Nations Australians inform contemporary management of the environment to protect biodiversity.

Investigate how cultural perspectives and world views influence the development of scientific knowledge. (AC9S7H02)

Elaboration: Investigating how First Nations Australians have developed sustainable harvesting practices and cultural protocols based on deep ecological understandings.

Use and Influence of Science

Examine how proposed scientific responses to contemporary issues may impact on society and explore ethical, environmental, social and economic considerations. (AC9S7H03)

Elaborations: Examining how the use of desalination plants to produce fresh water has impacted marine ecosystems where the desalination plants are located.

Investigating the ethical, environmental, social and economic implications of proposed scientific responses that involve cross-cultural partnerships and build on First Nations Australians' land management techniques.

Explore the role of science communication in informing individual viewpoints and community policies and regulations. (AC9S7H04)

Elaborations: Investigating how, through two-way approaches, First Nations Australians are communicating their knowledge and viewpoints, such as Caring for Country and Place initiatives to influence related policies.

Examining how science communication of endangered species has led to policies and regulations related to fishing catch and hunting limits.

Science Inquiry

Questioning and Predicting

Develop investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses to explore scientific models, identify patterns and test relationships. (AC9S7I01)

Elaborations:  Consulting with First Nations Australians to clarify questions based on their traditional ecological knowledges, such as predictions regarding the impact of invasive species.

Investigating how First Nations Australians' traditional ecological and zoological knowledges inform sustainable harvesting practices of certain species, such as dugongs and turtles.

Planning and Conducting

Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying variables and assumptions and, as appropriate, recognising and managing risks, considering ethical issues and recognising key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place. (AC9S7I02)

Elaborations:  Considering ethical issues relating to interactions with living things.

Collaborating with First Nations communities and organisations to conduct investigations about ecosystems, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes.

Select and use equipment to generate and record data with precision, using digital tools as appropriate. (AC9S7I03)

Elaboration: Using digital tools such as sensors to measure abiotic factors and apps that use image or call recognition to make field identifications. 

Deep Time History of Australia

How First Nations Australians have responded to environmental processes and changes over time. (AC9HH7K04)

Elaboration: Investigating the water management techniques used by First Nations Australians in environments with scarce supplies of fresh water, such as islands and deserts.

The technological achievements of early First Nations Australians, and how these developed in different places and contributed to daily life, and land and water source management. (AC9HH7K05)

Elaborations:  Exploring land and water management practices developed by early First Nations Australians, such as cultural burning practices, and the conservation and use of water through development of weirs, irrigation and water evaporation reduction systems.

Exploring aquaculture practices developed by First Nations Australians, such as the mollusc harvesting of the Kombumerri People on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Why opportunity cost exists as decisions are made to allocate limited resources to meet unlimited needs and wants.  (AC9HE7K01)

Elaboration: Identifying the needs and wants of a local community, and exploring how limited resources are currently used to meet unlimited needs and wants.