COURSE: INVESTIGATING SCIENCE

Leader of Learning: Ms Tracy Wade

2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC / Board Developed Course.

Course Description:

The Investigating Science course is designed to assist students of all abilities engage with scientific processes, and apply those processes to investigate relevant personal, community and global scientific issues. 

The Preliminary Course course focuses on the centrality of observation in initiating the scientific process and examines the human tendency to draw inferences and make generalisations from these observations. Students learn about the development and use of scientific models and the similarities and differences between scientific theories and laws.

The HSC Course builds on the skills and concepts learned in Year 11 with students conducting their own scientific investigations and communicating their findings in scientific reports. Students are provided with the opportunity to examine the interdependent relationship between science and technology and apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to scientifically examine a claim. The course concludes with students exploring the ethical, social, economic and political influences on science and scientific research in the modern world.

Course Content:

The Year 11 course consists of four modules.

• Module 1 Cause and Effect – Observing

• Module 2 Cause and Effect – Inferences and Generalisations

• Module 3 Scientific Models

• Module 4 Theories and Laws

The HSC course consists of four modules.

• Module 5 Scientific Investigations

• Module 6 Technologies

• Module 7 Fact or Fallacy?

• Module 8 Science and Society

Course Requirements:

Students are provided with 30 hours of course time for Depth Studies in both Year 11 and Year 12 during each year’s 120 indicative hours. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts.

A Depth Study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth Studies may be included in one module or across several modules.

Practical investigations are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year. Fieldwork is mandated in both Year 11 and Year 12 and is an integral part of the learning process. These will incur an additional fee of $55.