Scotch College

HISTORY American History Year 10 — 2009

Rationale

Water is one of our most important resources. This unit examines issues associated with the use and management of water resources.

Student Outcomes

• Describing the main characteristics of the selected issue and where appropriate explaining the underlying processes

• Identifying and describing management strategies
• Evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies
• Working co-operatively with others
• Applying oral and written communication skills

Course Content

El Nino and La Nina: What is El Niño and how does it cause drought in Australia? Can El Niño be predicted and planned for? What is La Nina?

Floods: The 1934 flooding of Gardiner’s Creek and the Yarra River saw the floodwaters rise to the steps of the Memorial Hall. What causes floods? How can their impact be reduced? How can they be managed?

Multi Purpose Dams: The Aswan Dam, Egypt; the Boulder Dam, USA and the Upper Yarra Reservoir, Melbourne have brought major benefits. What are these benefits? Have there been problems as well?

Water for Australia In the Twenty -‘Thirst’ Century: Internet research on possible sources of water and their potential, including: desalination of sea water, cloud seeding and harvesting ice bergs.

Mega Dam: The Three Gorges Dam, China. Is one mega dam better than one hundred small dams?

ICT skills

• The Internet for research and analysis
• CD ROM for research, simulations and problem solving activities
• Excel for the construction of graphs and charts
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Assessment

• Fieldwork report
• Practical activities
• Examination