... science is a way of life, science is a perspective, science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that’s precise, predictive, valid and reliable – it is a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional ... BRIAN GREENE
Overview
Science provides a distinctive view and way of exploring and thinking about the world. The study of science has led to a constantly evolving body of discoveries and knowledge organised as an interrelated set of models, theories, laws, systems, structures and interactions.
It is through this body of knowledge that science provides explanations for a variety of phenomena and enables sense to be made of the biological, physical and technological world. An understanding of science and its social and cultural contexts provides a basis for future choices and ethical decisions about local and global applications and implications of science.
Science is mandatory for all students from Year 7 to Year 10. In Year 12 students can study Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science and Physics.
Goal
To cultivate, lead and inspire gifted Science students in developing their abilities in order to realize their full potential as innovative scientific thinkers, through challenging curriculum and authentic learning experiences.
Activities
- Nuclear Reactor Lucas Heights
- Shortland Wetlands
- Newcastle Coastal Geotrail
- Astrodome
- Snake Tails
- A Case of Conspiracy
- external competitions eg ICAS
Team
- PENSON Ros HEAD TEACHER REL.
- BAEGER Carolin
- BELL Philip
- CARROLL Jacob
- DALBY Belinda MON TUE WED FRI
- DICKINSON Karen MON TUE WED THU
- JENNINGS Phoebe MON TUE WED THU
- MALBY Robyn
- McHUGH Justin
- McMAHON Monica
- PIZZEY Steve TUE WED THU FRI
- WILLIAMS Louise MON
Courses
STAGE 4: Y7 & Y8
- Y7 develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the nature of Science through theory and participation in practical work. Students learn about laboratory skills, separation techniques, living things, states of matter, rocks and minerals and cells. They develop research and practical project skills via guided investigation tasks
- Y8 continue to develop their scientific knowledge, understanding and skills. Students learn about body systems, chemical elements, forces, energy, plants, ecosystems, and astronomy
- students in year 8 complete a detailed student research project that demonstrates their ability to conduct investigations
- our Stage 4 science outcomes are assessed at school and externally through the VALID online end of stage 4 examination, which is undertaken by all students in NSW
STAGE 5: Y9 & Y10
- Y9 develop knowledge, skills and understanding of Science through participation in theory and practical work ... students learn about, electricity human disease, atomic structure, plate tectonics, evolution, electronic structure of atoms and radioactivity and waves ... they develop research and practical project skills through guided investigation tasks
- Y10 continue to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding. Students learn about genetics and heredity, chemical reactions, Newton’s laws and motion and cosmology with a strong focus on preparation for stage 6 programs ... they complete a detailed student research project that develops their capacity to undertake depth studies and demonstrates their ability to work scientifically
STAGE 6: Y11 & Y12
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Physics
Achievements
- 2023 Amy D, 2nd NSW Earth & Environmental
- 2023 Markus L. 11th NSW Biology
- 2023 Malinda M. 16th NSW Biology
- 2020 McKenzie G. 2nd NSW Physics, 16th Chemistry
- 2020 Chris B. 13th NSW Chemistry, 10th Physics
- 2020 Liam P. 20th NSW Chemistry
- 2020 Biology's exceptional results: 6 times the state average in the top band.
- 2020 HSC students achieved 70 Band 6 & 104 band 5
- Year 8 VALID results of overall school performance placed us with 16.3% of students in the level 6 (State average 1.9%) and 77.2% in Level 5 (state average 25.1%)