Science cultivates a deep understanding of the natural world, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills while nurturing curiosity and creativity. Through hands-on exploration, experiments and learning theory, students develop a strong understanding of scientific ideas, enabling them to make informed decisions, engage in scientific inquiry and contribute meaningfully to a rapidly advancing global society.
Subject Overview:
Science is a mandatory subject from Kindergarten to Year 10.
Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour. It encourages, inspires and enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of the world through observation, questioning, experimentation, discussion, critical analysis and creative thinking.
Science supports the development of scientific literacy through the Working scientifically processes and provides students with the scientific knowledge required to investigate phenomena, make predictions and solve problems.
Making connections across scientific disciplines and other subject areas develops students’ conceptual understanding of science and its relationship with the world. This enables students to recognise the role of science in solving existing and emerging real-world problems. Students learn to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve familiar and unfamiliar problems.
Faculty Goals
- Develop students’ curiosity about, and interest in, science and the natural world.
- Increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the nature and practice of science, and the Working scientifically processes.
- Encourage students to generate and analyse data, evaluate results, and make ethical, evidence-based decisions, as informed, reflective and scientifically literate citizens.
Staff introductions:
Ms Ruzicka (Head Teacher)
Miss Hardy
Ms Krucler
Mrs Kelly
Mr Krause
Mr Dunbar
Mrs Way (Lab technician)
Stage 4:
Students describe the dynamic nature of models, theories and laws in developing scientific understanding of the Earth and solar system and explain how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth influence choices people make about resource use and management.
Students describe the action of unbalanced forces in everyday situations and discuss how scientific understanding and technological developments have contributed to finding solutions to problems involving energy transfers and transformations.
Students relate the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction and explain how new biological evidence changes people's understanding of the world.
Students describe the observed properties and behaviour of matter, using scientific models and theories about the motion and arrangement of particles and explain how scientific understanding of, and discoveries about, the properties of elements, compounds and mixtures relate to their uses in everyday life.
Focus areas:
- Space
- Structures of Living Things
- Earth’s Resources
- Forces
- Earth, Rocks and Minerals
- Chemistry around us
- Energy
- Ecosystems Key Experiences Visit to the Hunter Valley Zoo / Oakvale Farm
Stage 5:
In Stage 5 science, students apply models, theories and laws to explain situations involving energy, force and motion and explain how scientific understanding about energy conservation, transfers and transformations is applied in systems. They describe changing ideas about the structure of the Earth and the universe to illustrate how models, theories and laws are refined over time by the scientific community and explain how scientific knowledge about global patterns of geological activity and interactions involving global systems can be used to inform decisions related to contemporary issues Students analyse interactions between components and processes within biological systems and explain how biological understanding has advanced through scientific discoveries, technological developments and the needs of society. They explain how models, theories and laws about matter have been refined as new scientific evidence becomes available and discuss the importance of chemical reactions in the production of a range of substances, and the influence of society on the development of new materials.
Focus areas:
- Motion
- Acids and Base
- Disease and coordination in the human body
- Ecosystems
- Natural disasters
- Independent Research Project
- Chemical reactions
- Waves
- Space
Marine and Aquaculture Technology is offered as an elective in stage 5 science. This focuses on the biology and ecology of the marine environment.
Stage 6:
In Stage 6, students can choose one or more specific areas of interest in Science to study. These include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Investigating Science
- Physics
All these subjects provide students with the opportunity to conduct depth studies, participate in practical experiences and build skills specific to the subject and potential career paths.
Key experiences:
Biology, Earth and Environmental Science field trips.
Faculty Achievements:
Band 5 and 6 achievements in Investigating Science, Biology and Earth and Environmental Science