This 3-sentence summary provides the key details about the document: This document outlines a unit standard for demonstrating basic knowledge of weather, including describing the layers of the atmosphere, the water cycle, and interpreting weather maps. The unit standard is at level 1 and worth 2 credits, and assessments must be moderated through NZQA's national system. It is intended to assess learning outcomes aligned with the NZASE Certificate in Science Syllabus.

1. 18981 version 2
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EARTH SCIENCE
Demonstrate basic knowledge of
weather
level: 1
credit: 2
planned review date: August 2009
sub-field: Science
purpose: People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe
the layers of the atmosphere; describe the water cycle; and
interpret a weather map.
entry information: Open.
accreditation option: Evaluation of documentation by NZQA.
moderation option: A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by NZQA.
special notes: This unit standard can be used to award credit for the
achievement of learning outcomes consistent with the
New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE)
Certificate in Science Syllabus, and is based on objectives
from levels 4 and 5 of – Ministry of Education, Science in the
New Zealand Curriculum (Wellington: Learning Media,
1993).
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Describe the layers of the atmosphere.
performance criteria
1.1 The description identifies the layers in relation to their height above the earth.
Range: troposphere, stratosphere.
1.2 The description identifies the weather layer.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

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EARTH SCIENCE
Demonstrate basic knowledge of
weather
element 2
Describe the water cycle.
performance criteria
2.1 The description outlines the movement of water and identifies any associated
changes of state.
Range: three of – precipitation, condensation, evaporation, runoff.
element 3
Interpret a weather map.
performance criteria
3.1 Features are identified.
Range: four of – high pressure, low pressure, cyclone, anticyclone, warm
front, cold front, isobars.
3.2 A weather prediction for a local area is made from an isobaric weather map.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated inter-
institutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

3. 18981 version 2
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EARTH SCIENCE
Demonstrate basic knowledge of
weather
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0226 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010