Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 (2017)
Earth and Space Science Life Skills supports the education of Stage 6 students with intellectual disability. Learn more about Earth and Space Science Life Skills, access syllabus information and teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabus implemented from 2028
The new Earth and Environmental Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2025) (previously known as Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6) is to be implemented from 2028.
2025 to 2027
• Plan and prepare to teach Earth and Environmental Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
2028, Term 1
• Start teaching Earth and Environmental Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 11
• Continue to teach the Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2028, Term 4
• Start teaching Earth and Environmental Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 12
About the course
Earth and Space Science is one of five Stage 6 Science Life Skills course options.
Study of this course contributes to students’ understanding of the role of science in our world and develops students’ skills in problem-solving and communicating ideas and information.
The Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 course is one of five Science Life Skills Stage 6 course options. Students can complete one of, or any combination of, Science Life Skills courses to contribute up to six units of study towards their Preliminary or HSC pattern of study.
The Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 course aligns with the rationale, aim and objectives of the Stage 6 Investigating Science course to provide a practical focus on scientific processes. The Life Skills course content draws from the discipline of Earth and Environmental Science, providing opportunities for integrated delivery.
The Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 course focuses on the development of knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s resources and how the evolution of the Earth has contributed to climate variation and geological natural disasters. Students are provided with opportunities to engage in scientific inquiry to explore geological resources and the significance of the Earth’s resources for living things. They are also provided with opportunities to explore the human impact on our environment and how resources can be managed more sustainably to improve the future of our world.
Study in the Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 course contributes to students’ understanding of the role of science in our world as well as developing students’ skills in problem-solving and communicating ideas and information.
The structure of the Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 course allows for a broad and balanced program that reflects the needs of students within the context of the collaborative curriculum planning process.
The course is organised into four modules:
- Module 1 Earth’s Resources
- Module 2 Human Impacts
- Module 3 Earth’s Processes and Hazards
- Module 4 Resource Management.
The modules provide possible frameworks for addressing the Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 outcomes and content, and are suggestions only. The course provides flexibility to develop programs appropriate to the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of students.
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 16649 Earth and Space Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16649 Earth and Space Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
Prerequisites: A student studying any Stage 6 Life Skills course will usually have completed one or more courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content in Years 7–10, except under special circumstances.
Corequisites: Nil
Pattern of study: A student may count up to:
- Year 11: Six units of Science
- Year 12: Seven units of Science
to satisfy pattern of study requirements for the HSC.
Eligibility: Life Skills Eligibility
Study via self-tuition: No
Exclusions:
- 11100 Earth and Environmental Science (2 units – Year 11)
- 15100 Earth and Environmental Science (2 units – Year 12)
- 15345 Science Extension (1 unit – Year 12)
On entering students for the Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 course, the principal is certifying that the student is eligible and the decision is the result of the collaborative curriculum planning process.
Students are expected to address or achieve one or more of the Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 outcomes. They need not address or complete all of the content to demonstrate achievement of an outcome.
Industries related to Earth and Space Science Life Skills
The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.
Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:
What are Life Skills courses
All students are entitled to participate in and progress through the curriculum. Life Skills courses provide course options for students with intellectual disability or imputed intellectual disability in Years 11–12 who cannot access related general education courses.
Students with disability can access syllabus outcomes and content in a range of ways, including through a range of adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment activities. Decisions regarding curriculum options should be made in the context of collaborative curriculum planning.
Assessment support and advice
Teaching and learning support
Use these materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment. Sample materials illustrate different approaches to teaching, learning and assessment in a range of school settings. Teachers can use them without modification, change them or construct their own.
Read more about supporting students with special education needs.
The Life Skills outcomes worksheet can be used to collect information on the outcomes that a student has achieved before recording them in Schools Online.
Earth and Space Science Life Skills outcomes worksheet Stage 6 (DOCX 22.5KB)