Year 8 Science – Term 3 (WA Curriculum): Earth's Dynamic Systems - Plate Tectonics, Rocks and Minerals

What this unit covers

In Term 3, Year 8 Science in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Earth's Dynamic Systems - Plate Tectonics, Rocks and Minerals”.

Students explore plate tectonics theory, metamorphic rock formation, and mineral classification through hands-on investigation and analysis of Earth's dynamic processes.

Lesson sequence (30 lessons)

The unit breaks down into the following lesson-by-lesson sequence — each title below is a teachable lesson, in order:

1. Investigating Evidence for Continental Drift Theory
2. Mapping Earthquake and Volcanic Activity Patterns
3. Exploring the Development of Plate Tectonic Theory
4. Identifying Types of Plate Boundaries
5. Analysing Convergent Plate Boundary Processes
6. Investigating Transform Plate Boundary Features
7. Examining Tectonic Plate Movement and Interactions
8. Correlating Seismic Activity with Plate Boundaries
9. Understanding Volcanic Activity at Plate Margins
10. Investigating Earthquakes Within the Australian Plate
11. Exploring Australian Geological Hazards and Risks
12. Connecting Plate Tectonics to Rock Formation
13. Investigating the Rock Cycle and Tectonic Processes
14. Understanding Metamorphic Rock Formation Conditions
15. Classifying Metamorphic Rocks Using Physical Properties
16. Examining Heat and Pressure Effects on Rock Formation
17. Investigating Common Metamorphic Rock Types
18. Exploring Traditional Aboriginal Rock Knowledge and Uses
19. Analysing How Rock Properties Influence Human Uses
20. Connecting Metamorphic Processes to Plate Boundaries
21. Identifying Minerals Using Physical Properties
22. Testing Mineral Hardness Using Mohs Scale
23. Investigating Mineral Colour and Streak Properties
24. Examining Mineral Lustre and Transparency
25. Testing Mineral Cleavage and Fracture Patterns
26. Using Classification Keys for Mineral Identification
27. Exploring Local Mineral Resources and Extraction
28. Investigating Bauxite as a Local Mineral Resource
29. Examining Economic Importance of Local Minerals
30. Synthesising Earth Systems and Human Interactions

Curriculum codes in this unit

Content codes:

Reading the codes: WA codes (the ones starting with WA) pack the year level, learning area, strand and content number into one string, while the national Australian Curriculum v9 uses a different anatomy that starts with AC9 — same content family, different labels. Our complete WA Curriculum guide decodes both, character by character.

Planning notes for Term 3

WA terms run roughly 9–11 weeks, and in 2026 Term 3 runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September — 10 weeks for WA public schools. With 30 lessons in this unit, that leaves breathing room for assessment, moderation and the weeks that disappear to carnivals, camps and public holidays — plan the assessable work to land two to three weeks before the end of term rather than in the final week.