YEAR 9 SCIENCE
Humans are innately curious about their world. Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour arising from our desire to make sense of our world through exploring the unknown, investigating universal mysteries and solving problems. The knowledge it produces has proved to be a reliable basis for action
in our personal, social and economic lives. Science aims to understand a large number of observations in terms of a much smaller number of broad principles.
The study of science supports students to develop the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills to make informed decisions about local, national and global issues.
Course Outline:
Science has three interrelated strands:
• Science Understanding
Science understanding is evident when a person selects and integrates appropriate science knowledge to explain and predict phenomena, and applies that knowledge to new situations. The Science Understanding strand comprises four sub-strands: Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
• Science as a Human Endeavour
Through science, humans seek to improve their understanding and explanations of the natural world. This strand highlights the development of science as a unique way of knowing and doing, and the role of science in contemporary decision making and problem solving. It acknowledges that in making decisions about science practices and applications, ethical and social implications must be taken into account.
• Science Inquiry Skills
Science inquiry involves identifying and posing questions; planning, conducting and reflecting on investigations; processing, analysing and interpreting evidence; and communicating findings. This strand is concerned with evaluating claims, investigating ideas, solving problems, drawing valid conclusions and developing evidence based arguments.
Units studied in Year 9 Science are:
·Energy On The Move
·My Life In Balance
·Making Waves
·It’s Elementary
·The Changing World
·Responding To Change
·Chemical Change
·Burn and Grow
Assessment:
Students will be required to complete a number of assessment tasks including:
• Research investigation
• Student experiment (written report)
• End of semester exam
Future Pathways:
Science leads to the study of Chemistry, Physics, Biological Science, Agricultural Science or Science in Practice at a Year 11 level. A Sound Level of Achievement in Science is a requirement of many TAFE Apprenticeship courses.
SENIOR SCIENCE SUBJECTS
