Depth Study at UNSW Chemistry

The Year 12 Depth Study ‘Biosignatures: Characterising Exoplanets with Spectroscopy’ aims to engage students in a unique application of spectroscopy – the ability to detect life on exoplanets. This is an unusual yet compelling application of spectroscopy which will motivate a now crucial component of the new HSC Syllabus.

This depth study consists of

  • 9 online lesson plans and resources

  • suggested assessments

  • a capstone excursion to the UNSW Chemistry laboratories

In this capstone excursion, students will:

  • engage with authentic scientific experiments in a hands-on experiment where they will use UV-visible spectrometers to investigate the composition of sample “planets”,

  • engage directly with researchers to discuss science, university and career.

Note that in 2020 due to COVID19, the on-campus excursion was cancelled.

This depth study links with a popular worldwide current research topic, including by UNSW researchers, and thus inherently links research with teaching.

The depth study is designed to bridge the gap between high school and university science skills with

  • introduction to university data analysis using information technology tools

  • independent research components

  • scaffolded “Speaking to a Scientist” sessions

  • scientific debate (suggested assessment - optional).

The ‘Biosignatures: Characterising Exoplanets with Spectroscopy’ depth study is a way to encourage passion in your students, skill development and provide authentic information about university life and scientific career paths.

The currently drafted structure of the excursion includes:

  • Hands-on lab experiment involving finding the composition of simulated planets using UV-visible spectrometers (this uses techniques in an optional Module 8 experiment)

  • Discussion session with UNSW researchers, where students can ask questions about science careers, their debate topic and science in general

  • Tour of UNSW laboratory facilities, including infrared and mass spectrometers (relevant to Module 8)

For more information about this depth study, consider the below documents

  • Depth Study brief (below)

  • our Online lesson overview (see link)

  • Teacher Rationale document (below), highlighting how our depth study addresses syllabus requirements

  • Suggested assessment criteria and scaffold (below)

Please contact me at l.mckemmish@unsw.edu.au for further details.

Depth Study Brief

UNSWDepthStudyBriefing.pdf

Teacher Rationale

Teacher Rationale.pdf

Assessment Criteria (suggested)

Assessment Criteria.pdf