The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement

This downloadable resource looks at verifying the movement of tectonic plates.

The resources include a worksheet whereby students use various online resources to determine the speed of movement of tectonic plates across the surface of the Earth (a separate copy with example answers is also provided). A copy of the original article on which these worksheets are based is also provided to act as teacher notes for the activity.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S8U03 (Year 8)

This downloadable resource involves an activity that investigates the densities of rocks.

The resources include a worksheet detailing an experiment to measure the densities of rock samples from the lithosphere and mantle to verify that 'slab pull' is the dominant force driving the movement of tectonic plates (a separate copy with example answers is also provided) along with teacher notes in the form of an original published article.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S8U03 (Year 8), AC9S8U04 (Year 8)

This online resource investigates fault lines and earthquakes.

The resource has been developed by Geoscience Australia specifically for use in the classroom and the material available on the site examines the occurrence and origins of earthquakes based on the plate tectonics model and has an overview of plate tectonics that distinguishes between the types of faults found at the different types of plate boundaries.

This online resource investigates earthquakes.

The resource details a series of 11 full lesson plans and activities to explore and learn all about earthquakes.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S8U03 (Year 8)

This downloadable resource tells the story of the Darling Scarp.

The resource is a free ebook titled Changing Earth: The Darling Scarpand is only available through Apple Books.

The Darling Scarp is a 2.5 billion year old geological feature which is the backdrop to the modern city of Perth, Western Australia. In this ebook, the key geological processes that led to the Darling Scarp’s formation are investigated, allowing readers to relate present day landscapes to events of the past.

This online resource supports the teaching of Year 9 Earth and space science.

The resource is a teaching package that provides a range of hands-on student activities and teacher support materials to help with the teaching of the Year 9 Earth and Physical Sciences components of the Australian Curriculum.

The activities are organised into four topics:

This online resource investigates geological time.

The resource is a 'Geological TimeWalk' Australian-centric teaching and learning booklet that can be downloaded as a PDF from GeoScience Australia.

Each section in this publication discusses a single geological time interval, and outlines the major geological, climatic and biological events which occurred in that interval.

This online resource has been created to support the teaching of earth science in Australian schools.

The Earth Science Western Australia (ESWA) website is easy to use and the PDF resources are free to download. They include full lesson plans, teacher support notes, answers, activities and links to other great ESS resources.

This online resource simulates plate tectonics.

The resource is a simulation of tectonic plate movement that allows students to change the variables involved in the process and observe the impact of each change.

This online resource looks at plate tectonics.

The resource is a Youtube video where the presenter shows 5 ways to model the layers of the earth, how tectonic plates move across the Earth’s surface, and the types of boundaries that exist between the plates.

Included are a number of small demonstrations that cover all aspects of the above and teachers can handpick the activities which best suit their class and integrate these into their course.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S8U03 (Year 8)