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SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Teachers in Charge:

Mr W Clitheroe (HOD) (Assistant HOD and Biology )

Mrs B Hannay (Assistant HOD and Chemistry)

Mr C Riley (Assistant HOD and Physics)

 

Subjects Offered:

Science Forms 3-5

Human Biology Forms 5 and 6

Biology Forms 6 and 7

Chemistry Forms 6 and 7

Physics Forms 6 and 7

 

 

General Statement:

Science education contributes to the growth and development of all students, as individuals, as responsible and informed members of society, and as productive contributors to New Zealand's economy and future. Learning in Science contributes to the development of the essential skills described in The New Zealand Curriculum Framework, which recognises Science as one of the seven essential learning areas.

Science learning experiences are derived from the New Zealand Curriculum, which specifies achievement aims in terms of four "contextual strands":

Making Sense of the Living World

Making Sense of the Physical World

Making Sense of the Material World

Making Sense of Planet Earth and Beyond

linked by two "integrating strands"

Making Sense of the Nature of Science and its Relationship to Technology

Developing Scientific Skills and Attitudes

 

Assessment:

Generally be Standards Based Assessment, on aspects of learning such as: Recalling Information, Communicating, Self Management, Working as Part of a Team

Assessment in the senior school is to NZQA School Certificate, 6FC and Bursary/Scholarship.

 

Forms 3 and 4

The learning experiences are grouped into units which are chosen to put the learning into contexts which most students will be interested in, and feel familiar with. These contexts are reviewed frequently, and examples are : Its a small world, My bike, Green machine, Southern Oceans, Startrekking.

 

Form 5

Students are able to enter School Certificate Science at the end of this course. Currently, this is assessed by 3hr. examination at the end of the year. Some students are able to enter School Certificate Human Biology, which is assessed in the same way. There may be assessment offered against Level 1 Science Unit Standards subject to decisions made later in 1998.

 

HUMAN BIOLOGY

This is a Science subject where learning is achieved in the context of the human body, and the way we interact with the world. It appeals to students who have a genuine interest in the workings of the human body but who may not wish to carry on with the other plant and animal aspects of biology.

 

Form 5 Human Biology

A course which caters for a range of students enabling them to have a measure of success in a science subject. It studies the various organ systems of the human body and how they work. It includes aspects of first aid during each topic. Assessed through an external examination at the end of the year.

 

Form 6 Human Biology

A course which caters for a range of students. Its focus is on the human body and its interactions with the environment.

Course Content:

Cell structure and function; genetic change and evolution; personal health; human technology; Public health.

Assessment:

Fully internally assessed. Activities include practicals, research assignments, class tests and field trips.

 

BIOLOGY

General Aim:

Biology is about life. Plants and animals (including humans) live in a variety of environments and have special features to help them survive in these places. The balance between the environment and living things is investigated through practical work, research and discussion

 

Form 6 Biology

Pre-requisite:

50% or better in both S.C. Science and S.C. English, or by negotiation with the HOD

Course Content:

  1. Ecology - study of populations and communities.

  2. Biodiversity - study of organ systems in plants and animals

  3. Cell Biology - study of cells and organelles.

  4. Evolution - study of genetic variation and natural selection

  5. Applied Biology - study of human use of living resources.

Assessment:

Fully internally assessed. Activities include practicals, research, assignments and a field trip.

 

Form 7 Biology

Pre-requisite:

A Grade 5 or better in SFC Biology or by negotiation with the HOD.

Course Content:

Research into current biological issues, individual plant/ animal experimental work, human evolution, genetics, animal and plant behaviour, biotechnological techniques.

Assessment:

Bursary exam 75%. Individual plant/animal experimental work 25%

 

CHEMISTRY

General aim:

Chemistry is the study of the composition and properties of matter, and the changes it undergoes. It is a science that develops through people investigating matter. We study atoms of different elements and the rules which they obey, as they do or do not combine, to give us a wide range of materials - plastics, medicines, jewellery, batteries, to name just a few. We also study pure science as well as applications.

 

Form 6 Chemistry

Pre-requisite:

50% or better in both S.C. Science and S.C. Mathematics, or by negotiation with the HOD

Course Content:

Atomic structure and bonding, organic compounds, plastics, identification and quantifying ions; reactions releasing heat or electricity, reversible reactions, grouping elements by their reactions.

Assessment:

Fully internally assessed. Activities include practicals and theory

 

Form 7 Chemistry

Pre-requisite:

Minimum Grade 5 or better in SFC Chemistry, or equivalent Unit Standards, or by negotiation with the HOD.

Course Content:

Atomic structure, bonding, aqueous chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and energy in reactions.

Assessment

Bursary exam external assessment.

 

PHYSICS

General Aim:

Physics is the key part of science and technology in which people explore the physical world around them, and seek to describe the phenomena which they encounter. A study of physics spans the limits of our universe - from the sub-atomic to the size of galaxies - and develops skills and knowledge that are useful in later life and further education. Physics deals with how and why things behave as they do.

 

Form 6 Physics

Pre-requisite:

50% or better in both S.C. Science and S.C. Mathematics, or by negotiation with the HOD

Course Content:

The main areas of Physics, mechanics, waves, electricity and nuclear physics form the basis of the course.

Assessment:

Fully internally assessed. Activities include practicals, theory and an examination

 

Form 7 Physics

Pre-requisite:

Minimum Grade 5 or better in SFC Physics, or equivalent Unit Standards, or by negotiation with the HOD

Course Content:

Mechanics, wave motion, electromagnetism and nuclear physics.

Assessment:

Bursary exam 80% and internal assessment of special topic 10% and practicals 10%

 
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