1GEO

1GEO - Level 1 Geography - Mātauranga-ā-whenua

Course Description

Geography, or mātauranga-ā-whenua, is the study of the natural environment as the home of people. 

We investigate how environments, nga taiao, are shaped, including coastal, tectonic and climate processes. We explore at a variety of scales including global climatology and biomes; tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes in Aotearoa New Zealand; Tropical Cyclones in the Pacific and local coastal processes in Tasman Bay. 

Students can participate in outdoor learning in Tasman Bay or our Kaikoura camp. They learn to think spatially by using maps, visuals, inquiry, fieldwork, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to interpret our world. Through geographic thinking learners develop understanding of patterns, processes, peoples’ perspectives, interactions, and change.

Students gain transferable skills in

  • Field trips and methods for collection of information outside the class
  • Teamwork and independent thinking
  • A holistic worldview
  • Analytical skills, including cultural, statistical, and geo-spatial analysis including Google Earth and ArcGIS
  • Practical application of concepts including environment, perspectives and sustainability 
  • Ability to design and carry out research projects
  • Ability to communicate visually, verbally and in writing
  • Synthesise different viewpoints and types of information

Pathway

• Tourism
• Foreign affairs and development agencies
• Environmental science and conservation
• Companies using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Emergency and defence services including army, navy, air force, police etc…
• Local authorities and town planning
• Public service including education and health
• Research and policy
• People-focused positions, like tourism, teaching or human resources

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Total Credits Available: 20 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 10 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 10 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91932 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 1.1 - Demonstrate understanding of the spatial distribution of a phenomenon and its impacts on place
Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91933 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 1.2 - Explore an environment using data
Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: Y
A.S. 91934 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 1.3 - Demonstrate understanding of how natural processes shape an environment
Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91935 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 1.4 - Demonstrate understanding of decision-making in response to a geographic challenge in the wider Pacific region
Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 20
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 15
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 5