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Science

Welcome to the Science Faculty.

 

What is Science?

Science is a way of investigating, understanding and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe. Scientific knowledge builds on previous ideas and innovations and is continually being updated and expanded as new evidence comes to hand. Scientists interact with each other and the wider world as they try to validate new explanations.

At Glendowie College, we teach our students using scientific investigation, which involves generating and testing ideas, gathering evidence in order to develop scientific knowledge. We encourage our students to test ideas and build on their own experiences, which fosters curiosity and critical thinking. Students are expected to work in groups, as well as independently, which promotes collaboration and builds links between many different cultures and communities. Our students are taught to think creatively and learn to shift their perspective as they view problems differently and adapt to change – these are all very important skills to have in the twenty first century. 

 

Why Study Science?

Science provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the world around them – many of the major challenges that confront our world today need to be approached from a scientific perspective. By helping students to investigate the world in scientific ways, generating and testing questions, gathering evidence and then using theory to explain their conclusions, they learn how to problem solve and this can be transferred into many other areas of life. They learn to think critically about information that they are faced with, which is essential in today’s world where they have access to all kinds of material at their “finger-tips”. 

Year 9 Science    (9SCI)

Course Information

The year 9 Science course is made up of the following Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy units.

  • Getting Started
  • Life
  • Particles
  • Plants
  • Astronomy
  • Forces

Assessment

At the end of each unit there is a unit test - these tests will be used for reporting purposes and for students to know how well they are doing. They will be marked using NCEA grades. At the end of the year students sit a two hour exam which will cover all of the content in the course.

Events

In the Astronomy unit all students visit the Stardome.  There are two dissections – one of an eye and one of a rat.  More able students and those who want to, may sit the Australasian Science Competition.

Year 10 Science    (10SCI)

The course will advance learning in science by:

  • Helping students to understand the living, material, physical worlds and some aspects of technology
  • Helping students to investigate their  world in scientific ways
  • Providing opportunities for students to develop the attitudes on which scientific investigation depends
  • Helping students to realise that science is an essential part of their own and everyone's everyday world
  • Developing the view of science as both a process and a set of ideas which have been constructed by people to explain both every day and unfamiliar phenomena
  • Encouraging students to consider the ways in which people have used science and technology to meet every day needs, to consider issues rationally, and to make decisions about the usefulness and worth of ideas
  • Nurturing scientific talent to ensure that people of the community are more scientific
  • Developing students' interest in understanding of the knowledge and processes of science which form the basis of many of their future careers

The course consists of 8 modules including:

  • Acids and bases
  • Family traits
  • Electricity
  • Fit and well
  • Our local landscape
  • Force and motion
  • Metals
  • Research assignment

An essential and compulsory part of the course will be the requirement of all year 10 students to undertake a full practical investigation and to present a scientific report of their investigation.

Students will experience a variety of assessments using oral, written, pictorial, and practical methods.  Initial assessments will provide diagnosis of student needs, formative assessments will signpost the development of science investigative and essential learning skills.  Included in the summative assessments will be the NCEA Level 1 S1.2 Achievement Standard “Research, with direction, how science and technology are related”.

 

Year 11 Specialist Science    (11SCS)

This course will advance learning in Science by:

  • Helping students understand their living, material, physical worlds and the wider environment, aspects of technology
  • Helping students to investigate their world in scientific ways
  • Providing opportunities for students to develop the attitudes on which scientific investigation depends
  • Helping students to realise that science is an essential part of their own and everyone's everyday world
  • Developing the view of Science as both a process and a set of ideas which have been constructed by everyday people to explain both every day and unfamiliar phenomena
  • Encouraging students to consider the ways in which people have used science and technology to meet every day needs, to consider issues rationally, and to make decisions about the usefulness and worth of ideas
  • Nurturing scientific talent to ensure that people of the community are more scientific
  • Developing students' interest in understanding of the knowledge and processes of science which form the basis of many of their future careers.

 The course will consist of modules that will develop the student's ability to:

  • Process and interpret and communicate scientific information
  • Communicate scientific information
  • Use scientific knowledge and understanding to describe and/or explain phenomena in the following contexts:
    • Genetics  
    • Acids and Bases  
    • Mechanics  
    • Carbon Chemistry
    • Electricity and Magnetism

Part of this course will be completed online so students will be expected to bring a device to school and there will be a cost to register with the online provider.  

Students study five topics (standards) that count for 20 credits towards Level 1 NCEA.

External Standards (Exams)

  • 90940  (S1.1)  Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics  (4 credits)
  • 90944  (S1.5)  Demonstrate an understanding of chemical ideas relating to acids and bases  (4 credits)
  • 90948  (S1.9)  Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to genetic variation  (4 credits)
  • 90937  (P1.3)  Demonstrate understanding of aspects of electricity and magnetism  (4 credits)
  • 90930  (C1.1)  Carry out a practical chemistry investigation, with direction  (4 credits)

 

Year 11 Integrated Science    (11SCI)

This course will advance learning in Science by:

  • Helping students understand their living, material, physical worlds and the wider environment, aspects of technology
  • Helping students to investigate their world in scientific ways
  • Providing opportunities for students to develop the attitudes on which scientific investigation depends
  • Helping students to realise that Science is an essential part of their own and everyone's everyday world
  • Developing the view of Science as both a process and a set of ideas which have been constructed by everyday people to explain both everyday and unfamiliar phenomena
  • Encouraging students to consider the ways in which people have used science and technology to meet everyday needs, to consider issues rationally, and to make decisions about the usefulness and worth of ideas
  • Nurturing scientific talent to ensure that people of the community are more scientific
  • Developing students' interest in understanding of the knowledge and processes of science which form the basis of many of their future careers.

The year 11 Integrated Science course comprises of the following modules:

  • Genetics 
  • Acids and Bases                          
  • Mechanics                                                    
  • Carbon Chemistry                                         
  • Electricity and Magnetism

Part of this course will be completed online so students will be expected to bring a device to school.

Students study five topics (standards) that count for 20 credits towards Level 1 NCEA.

Internal Standards (Assignments)

  • 90930  (C1.1)  Carry out a practical chemistry investigation, with direction  (4 credits)
  • 90953  (1.4)  Demonstrate understanding of carbon cycling  (4 credits)

External Standards (Exams)

  • 90940  (1.1)  Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics  (4 credits)
  • 90944  (1.5)  Demonstrate an understanding of chemical ideas relating to acids and bases  (4 credits)
  • 90948  (1.9)  Describe understanding of genetic variation  (4 credits)                              

 

Year 11 Practical Science    (11SCP)

This is a course designed for students interested in continuing their education in Science, but who found Year 10 Science challenging. It is internally assessed, so does not have any final examination component. There is an emphasis on practical and scientific investigation skills.

The course covers a range of topics from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Space Science.

Students study five topics (standards) that count for 20 credits towards Level 1 NCEA.

Internal Standards (Assignments)

  • AS90925  B1.1  Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with direction  (4 credits)
  • AS90935  P1.1  Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a linear mathematical relationship, with direction  (4 credits)
  • AS90945  C1.1  Carry out a practical investigation in a chemistry context  (4 credits)
  • AS90949  S1.10  Investigate life processes and environmental factors that affect them  (4 credits)
  • AS90955  S1.16  Investigate an astronomical or Earth Science event  (4 credits)

 

Year 12 Science    (12SCI)

In this course students will:

  • Develop their scientific practical skills and attitudes
  • Be exposed to a range of scientific concepts from the main science strands: biology, physics, chemistry and earth and space science.

This course involves the study of genetic variation and change, structure and bonding of chemical compounds, the evaluation an issue in Earth and Space Science and how information about the issue is presented to the public. Chemical analysis by using ion identification procedures is a practically assessed component. Field work in ecology during a trip to the rocky shore. 

Students study five topics (standards) that count for 19 credits towards Level 2 NCEA.

Internal Standards (Assignments)

  • 91158  B2.6  Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision  (4 credits)
  • 91162  C2.2  Carry out procedures to identify ions present in a solution  (3 credits)
  • 91168  P2.1  Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a non-linear mathematical relationship  (4 credits)
  • 91188  E2.2  Examine an Earth and Space Science issue and the validity of the information communicated to the public  (4 credits)          

External Standards (Exams)

  • 91157  B2.5  Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change  (4 credits)

Year 13 Science    (13SCI)

In this course students will:

  • Develop their scientific practical skills and attitudes
  • Be exposed to a range of scientific concepts from the main science strands: biology, physics, chemistry and earth and space science.

This course has a large focus on practical standards and ensures students gain sound skills in the scientific process using an earth and space science.  It includes the study of human evolution and how animals maintain a stable internal environment, the evaluation of a physics issue in society and an understanding of modern physics. 

Please note that the achievement standards listed below are just a possible indication of content covered - the nature of this course allows there to be some changes based on student interest and need.

Students study six topics (standards) that count for 20 credits towards Level 3 NCEA.

Internal Standards (Assignments)

  • 91393  C3.7  Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-reduction processes  (3 credits)
  • 91410  E3.1  Carry out an independent parctical Earth and Space Science investigation  (4 credits)
  • 91525  P3.5  Demonstrate understanding of Modern Physics  (3 credits)
  • 91527  E3.7  Use Physics knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue  (3 credits)
  • 91604  B3.4  Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment  (3 credits)         

External Standards (Exams)

  • 91696  B3.6  demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution  (4 credits)
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