A study of science is mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Year 10. Students will have the opportunity to learn in our new state of the art laboratories.
Students explore the natural and made worlds and learn how to apply scientific skills, knowledge and understanding across a broad range of contexts.
Science provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real-world problems. The inquiry and skill-based nature of science opens doors to ideas and discoveries.
Technology
The Science faculty has access to computer data logging which allows students to accurately measure in the laboratory using probes attached to the computer. The Pearson textbook is available on-line to use at home. Students will also have access to an on-line learning platform such as Stile or Education Perfect.
Primary School Links
The Penguin Project is an opportunity for selected Year 10 students to act as mentors to primary students and help them produce an environmentally themed display. We also encourage primary schools to visit our Science Techno Museum display.
Years 7 - 10
Science is mandatory for these years. Students study up to eight units throughout the year of approximately 4-5 weeks duration. Practical work and group work occupy 50% of class time. Students will also complete a group independent research task.
In Year 7 there is an excursion to Taronga Zoo to attend classes on classification.
Year 8 participate in Science Techno Museum. This is a college initiative where students research a technology which has changed our lives and prepare an exhibit to communicate their information to other students, teachers and parents. Science Techno Museum is held in Term 3 Science Week.
Year 9 complete a group research task on New Materials.
In Year 10 there is an excursion to Luna Park to meet the requirements of the topic on motion.
Stage 5 students will be required to complete a mandatory Student Research Project (SRP).
Year 7 Topics:
Working Scientifically |
Properties of Substances |
Earth Resources |
Classification |
Forces |
Mixtures |
Habitats & Interactions |
Earth in Space |
Year 8 Topics:
Scientific Data |
Cells |
Energy |
Elements, compounds & mixtures |
Physical & chemical change |
Science Techno-museum project |
Body Systems |
Growth and Reproduction |
Rocks and Minerals |
Year 9 Topics:
Materials |
Reaction Types |
Heat, Light and Sound |
Electromagnetic Spectrum |
Body Co-ordination |
Plate Tectonics |
Ecosystems |
Disease |
Electrical Energy |
Year 10 Topics:
DNA and Genetics |
The Periodic Table |
Geological Time |
Student Research Project |
Chemical Reactions |
Natural Selection and Evolution |
Motion and Energy |
Global Systems |
The Universe |
Stage 6 Subjects Years 11 - 12
Students can choose between the following courses: 2 unit Physics, 2 unit Chemistry, 2 unit Biology, 2 unit Earth & Environmental Science, 2 unit Investigating Science and1 unit Science Extension (Yr 12 only).
Physics
Excursion to the School Of Physics University of Sydney
Y11 Preliminary |
Y12 HSC |
Module 1 Kinematics |
Module 5 Advanced Mechanics |
Module 2 Dynamics |
Module 6 Electromagnetism |
Module 3 Waves and Thermodynamics |
Module 7 The Nature of Light |
Module 4 Electricity and Magnetism |
Module 8 From the Universe to the Atom |
Chemistry
Excursions to ANSTO Nuclear Power Plant and /or Sydney Water/ University of Sydney
Y11 Preliminary |
Y12 HSC |
Module 1 Properties and Structure of Matter |
Module 5 Equilibrium and Acid Reactions |
Module 2 Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry |
Module 6 Acid/Base Reactions |
Module 3 Reactive Chemistry |
Module 7 Organic Chemistry |
Module 4 Drivers of Reactions |
Module 8 Applying Chemical Ideas |
Biology
Excursions to Freshwater Rock Platform and The Disease Museum at NSW University.
Y11 Preliminary |
Y12 HSC |
Module 1 Cells as the Basis of Life |
Module 5 Heredity |
Module 2 Organisation of Living Things |
Module 6 Genetic Change |
Module 3 Biological Diversity |
Module 7 Infectious Disease |
Module 4 Ecosystem Dynamics |
Module 8 Non-infectious Disease and Disorders |
Earth & Environmental Science
Excursions to Central NSW, Wellington and Long Reef rock platform
Y11 Preliminary |
Y12 HSC |
Module 1 Earth’s Resources |
Module 5 Earth’s Processes |
Module 2 Plate Tectonics |
Module 6 Hazards |
Module 3 Energy Transformations |
Module 7 Climate Science |
Module 4 Human Impacts |
Module 8 Resource Management |
Investigating Science
Excursion to Freshwater Rock Platform and the Artificial Limb Factory.
Y11 Preliminary |
Y12 HSC |
Module 1 Cause and Effect – Observing |
Module 5 Scientific Investigations |
Module 2 Cause and Effect – Inferences and Generalisations |
Module 6 Technologies |
Module 3 Scientific Models |
Module 7 Fact or Fallacy? |
Module 4 Theories and Laws |
Module 8 Science and Society |
| Y12 HSC ONLY- EXTENSION SCIENCE |
|---|
Module 1 The Foundations of Scientific Thinking |
Module 2 The Scientific Research Proposal |
Module 3 The Data, Evidence and Decisions |
Module 4 The Scientific Research Report |