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The planet earth and beyond strand is about the interconnecting systems and processes of the Earth, the other parts of the solar system, and the universe beyond. Students learn that Earth’s subsystems of geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life) are interdependent and that all are important. They come to appreciate that humans can affect this interdependence in both positive and negative ways.

Students also learn that Earth provides all the resources required to sustain life except energy from the Sun, and that, as humans, we act as guardians of these finite resources. This means knowing and understanding the numerous interactions of Earth’s four systems with the solar system. Students can then confront the issues facing our planet and make informed decisions about the protection and wise use of Earth’s resources.

(from the Ministry of Education site)

Students will:

Earth systems

• Investigate and understand the spheres of the Earth system: geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life).

Interacting systems

• Investigate and understand that the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are connected via a complex web of processes.

Astronomical systems

• Investigate and understand relationships between the Earth, Moon, Sun, solar system, and other systems in the universe.

Students will:

Earth systems

• Explore and describe natural features and resources.

Interacting systems

• Describe how natural features are changed and resources affected by natural events and human actions.

Astronomical systems

• Share ideas and observations about the Sun and the Moon and their physical effects on the heat and light available to Earth.

Students will:

Earth systems

• Appreciate that water, air, rocks and soil, and life forms make up our planet and recognise that these are also Earth’s resources.

Interacting systems

• Investigate the water cycle and its effect on climate, landforms, and life.

Astronomical systems

• Investigate the components of the solar system, developing an appreciation of the distances between them.

Students will:

Earth systems

• Develop an understanding that water, air, rocks and soil, and life forms make up our planet and recognise that these are also Earth’s resources.

Interacting systems

• Investigate the water cycle and its effect on climate, landforms, and life.

Astronomical systems

• Investigate the components of the solar system, developing an appreciation of the distances between them

Students will:

Earth systems

Investigate the composition, structure, and features of the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Interacting systems

• Investigate how heat from the Sun, the Earth, and human activities is distributed around Earth by the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Astronomical systems

• Investigate the conditions on the planets and their moons, and the factors affecting them.

Students will:

Earth systems

• Investigate the external and internal processes that shape and change the surface features of New Zealand.

Interacting systems

• Develop an understanding of how the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact to cycle carbon around Earth.

Astronomical systems

• Investigate the interactions between the solar, lunar, and Earth cycles and the effect of these on Earth.

Students will:

Earth systems and interacting systems

• Develop an understanding of the causes of natural hazards and their interactions with human activity on Earth.

Astronomical systems

• Explain the nature and life cycles of different types of stars in terms of energy changes and time.

Students will:

Earth systems and interacting systems

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the interrelationship between human activities and the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere over time.

Astronomical systems

• Explore recent astronomical events or discoveries, showing understanding of the concepts of distance and time.