Global Systems Research Notes

St. George’s Anglican Grammar School - Year 10 Science Task 3: Global Systems

Overview

  • Task: Research and Validation: Global Systems Research (Part A)
  • Due Date: Week 4 (Validation Test)
  • Weighting: 10% of overall grade
  • Content Focus: Global Systems, including the carbon cycle, thermohaline current, greenhouse gases, and El Nino phenomenon.

Assessment Structure

  • Part A: Research
    • Marks: 34
    • Weighting: 20%
    • Format: Summary notes on given topics.
  • Part B: Validation Test
    • Marks: 36
    • Weighting: 80%
    • Format: Short and long answer questions based on research.

General Capabilities Assessed

  • Literacy: Comprehending and composing texts.
  • Numeracy: Estimating, calculating, using patterns, fractions, percentages, ratios, and statistical reasoning.
  • Problem Solving & Innovation: Identifying, exploring, organizing information; generating ideas; reflecting on thinking.
  • ICT for Learning: Applying ethical protocols, investigating, creating, and communicating with ICT.
  • Skillful Communication: Recognizing culture, interacting, empathizing, and reflecting on intercultural experiences.
  • Collaboration: Social awareness and management.
  • Management: Self-awareness and self-management.

Part A: Summary Notes - Key Topics

1. Carbon Cycle

  • Description: The carbon cycle is a sequence of events that makes the Earth capable of sustaining life.
  • Processes: Describe the processes that occur in the carbon cycle.
    • Include ways in which carbon is removed from the atmosphere (e.g., photosynthesis).
    • Include ways in which carbon is returned to the atmosphere (e.g., respiration, combustion, decomposition).

2. Global Thermohaline Current

  • Formation: Explain how the global thermohaline current is formed.
    • Refer to the effect that temperature and salinity levels have on water density.
    • Explain how this current affects climate around the world (e.g., heat distribution).

3. Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming

  • Link: Is there a clear link between increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global warming?
    • Explain how and why increased greenhouse gases contribute to global warming (e.g., trapping heat).

4. Australia's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Emissions: How much greenhouse gas does Australia produce?
  • Policy: What is the Federal Government’s policy on the reduction of greenhouse gases?

5. Simulating Global Systems

  • Approach: What approach do scientists use to simulate interactions within Earth's systems and forecast future environmental changes?

6. El Nino Phenomenon

  • Explanation: Explain the El Nino phenomenon.
    • Include how and why it is formed (e.g., changes in ocean temperatures and wind patterns).
    • Include the consequences of this phenomenon in Australia (e.g. droughts, bushfires). In South America (e.g. floods).

Part A: Requirements and Guidelines

  • Mark Allocation: Note the mark allocations for each dot point as a guide to the amount of information required.
  • Terminology: Use correct terminology.
  • Time: Two lessons in class to complete the summary notes (P4 on Friday, 9 May and P1 on Tuesday, 13 May) and completion at home if necessary.
  • Length: Summary notes must not exceed two A4 pages (both sides).
  • Submission: Submit summary notes on the day of the Validation Test in Week 4.
  • Contribution: Part A contributes 20% to the total mark for Task 3.

Part B: Validation Test

  • Date: Friday, 23 May (Week 4).
  • Content: Global Systems (content from the research task and course outline).
  • Contribution: 80% of the marks for this assessment.