Putaiao – A general science course is taught to all students in Years 7-10. During these years students are given the widest possible range of experiences of science and its application to society. 

Check the information below and if you have any further questions please talk to:
Ms Janet Greenhough who is in charge of science learning at Queen Charlotte College

Science

Science is the study, use, and enjoyment of biolgy, physics, chemistry and Earth & space science in a variety of ways and takes into account mātauranga Māori, Pacifica and other cultural perspectives.

At Year 11 students will:

• engage with science investigation through innovation, problem solving, inquiry, collaboration, and evaluation. 

• try different ways of carrying out science investigations.

• consider mātauranga Māori and Pacific knowledges alongside science in contexts that relate to Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

• look at how different perspectives can be used when making decisions on issues involving science in society

• look at how science methods, changes in technology, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), and growing science knowledge influence each other.

• recognise that scientific ideas depend on evidence and need critical and creative thinking.

• use a range of investigation and presentation methods in biology, chemistry, physics and Earth & space science.

• consider how the values and needs of a society can influence science developments.

• use science understanding to judge information presented in the media.

Students will experience:

• Experiments and investigations; 

• Researching, surveying and looking at public information in the media;

• Using evidence to make judgements;

• Activities including reading, writing, speaking, listening, critiquing, viewing and presenting.

Matauranga Koi Ora – We teach a full NCEA Biology course at Levels 2 and 3 using the full complement of available Achievement Standards.

Queen Charlotte College is fortunate in its geographical location and the teaching of Biology makes full use of the local environment to enhance the learning opportunities of students. The Aquaculture Academy’s facilities such as the Barge and water space in Shakespeare Bay are used for teaching the ecological and research aspects of Biology. 

At Level Two, students usually attend a field trip as part of the curriculum. 

Students are expected to sit at least one external exam.

Biology as a subject relies heavily on being able to investigate and use evidence to demonstrate knowledge of the world around us and the ability to think critically about information available to the public. It is a literacy heavy, academic subject.

There is a course book which is highly recommended as stationery which will greatly reduce the student’s workload. This has a cost of approximately $46

This course is intended for those students who have been successful in biology at NCEA Level 2 and those who need biology for further qualifications. 

Students are expected to sit at least one external exam.

Biology as a subject relies heavily on being able to investigate and use evidence to demonstrate knowledge of the world around us and the ability to think critically about information available to the public. It is a literacy heavy, academic subject.

Course Endorsement Available?: Yes

University Entrance Subject?: Yes

Cost: Workbook approximately $46

Level Three will attend a research / practical visit to the local area of the Marlborough Sounds. There will be a cost associated with this which will be kept to a minimum.

Matauranga Matu – Chemistry is taught as a separate Science subject at Years 12 and 13 (NCEA Levels 2 & 3 respectively). 

Chemistry courses are central to future study in Science, Engineering and Medicine at tertiary level. 

Both the Year 12 and Year 13 courses are assessed using Achievement Standards. Practical work is a key component of Chemistry and several of the assessments are practical based.

This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying:

Properties and changes of matter - Investigate and measure the chemical and physical properties of a range of groups of substances, for example, acids and bases, oxidants and reductants, and selected organic and inorganic compounds.

The structure of matter - Relate properties of matter to structure and bonding. Develop an understanding of and use the fundamental concepts of chemistry (for example, equilibrium and thermochemical principles) to interpret observations.

Students are expected to sit at least one external exam.

For this course there is a workbook costing approximately $38 which is highly recommended and which greatly reduces student workload. It will be difficult to complete this course without it.

This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying:

Properties and changes of matter - Investigate and measure the chemical and physical properties of a range of groups of substances, for example, acids and bases, oxidants and reductants, and selected organic and inorganic compounds.

The structure of matter - Relate properties of matter to structure and bonding. Develop an understanding of and use the fundamental concepts of chemistry (for example, equilibrium and thermochemical principles) to interpret observations.

A maximum of 21 credits will be on offer, 6 from 2 internal and 15 from 3 external assessments.  Students are expected to sit at least one external exam.

Chemistry leads very strongly to ALL the Vocational Pathways except for the Service industry.

Cost: A workbook costing approximately $38 which is highly recommended and which greatly reduces student workload. It will be difficult to complete this course without it.

Ahupungao – Physics is taught as a separate Science subject at Years 12 and 13 (NCEA Levels 2 & 3 respectively). 

The key topics for the Year 12 course are mechanics, light and waves, electricity and nuclear physics. 

The Year 13 course builds on the material learned from the Year 12 course. 

Both courses are assessed using Achievement Standards. Practical work is included with all topics as it encourages individual work and initiative.

Physics is linked very strongly to ALL the Vocational Pathways except for the Service industry.

This course is aimed at students who have an interest in how the world works and/or are looking to move into areas such as: 

• electrical trades, 

• aeronautics, 

• civil engineering, 

• maerial science, 

• animation/movie making, 

• computer graphics, 

• geological science, 

• climate science,

• teaching.

There is a practical component but there is also a lot of theory.

Students are expected to sit at least one external exam

Cost: Workbook which will cost approximately $40 and which is highly recommended, greatly reducing the workload of the students. It will be difficult to complete enough work without the workbook.

University approved course?: yes

Endorsement available? yes

Cost: There is a workbook for this course, at a cost of approximately $30 which is highly recommended and will greatly reduce the workload of the students. It will be difficult to complete enough work without the workbook.

This is an industry based course. 

The aim is to prepare students for the seafood production industries with an emphasis on sustainable mussel farming and salmon farming. 

This course is unit standards based and is not enough for a marine biology qualification. 

It is very useful, and interesting but science is a requirement alongside it.

Queen Charlotte College has its own wetlab for farming salmon as well as a mussel line in Queen Charlotte Sound and a barge to access the mussel line. The course includes practical experience with all of these facilities, along with access to a skipper's ticket and diving qualifications.

The aquaculture course runs at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and students gain qualifications as they are ready.

If you have any further questions about aquaculture, contact Mr Michael Garbes (mgarbes@qcc.school.nz)