Science is mandatory for all students from Year 7 to Year 10.
Science 7-10 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. Science emphasises the skills for working scientifically, as well as critical and creative thinking to address scientific issues.
In Years 11 and 12, students can choose from different science disciplines, including:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Investigating Science
- Physics.
In Year 12, students who are studying at least one other science subject may also choose to study Science Extension.
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry reflects how scientists come to understand the natural world, and is at the heart of how students learn. Understanding the science content is significantly enhanced when ideas are anchored to inquiry experiences.
Wherever possible teachers will use an inquiry-based method of instruction in the classroom. This approach allows students to question and explore and to use those experiences to raise and answer questions about the natural world.
Experiment Fest
Each year, students in Year 12 Chemistry, Physics and Biology attend Experiment Fest at Newcastle University. Students conduct experiments that are difficult for high schools to conduct and produce valid results. Students are also exposed to the university life, which hopefully inspires them to have high expectations of themselves in the HSC examinations.
Technology
Students are continually provided the opportunity to develop their skills with the use of online platforms such as ATOMI and StileApp. This enables students to enhance their engagement in the classroom and provide teachers with the ability to improve student's depth of knowledge.
VALID- Validation of Assessment 4 Learning and Individual Development.
This science based online test replaces ESSA. It is the only subject based test the NSW Board of Studies provides. The test involves Year 8 and Year 10 students completing a test online, using headphones and responding to text, video, animation and diagrams.
Science Week
Each year in August, there is a different theme for Science Week in Australian Schools. This year the theme is ‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans’. With this in mind, it will embrace the innovative technologies, capabilities and skills needed to achieve environmental and social sustainability of our oceans. There will be a range of experiments and demonstrations during the week where students will be exposed to new ideas and what roll science plays in their everyday lives.