Science

All Middle School units in 2007 are semester length. The learning experiences of students studying science provide for achieving the program objectives that are mentioned below.

Science students will:

• Gain scientific skills and knowledge.
• Use investigation, reasoning and analysis skills to ask questions and seek solutions.
• Develop scientific curiosity and critical reflection. 
• Understand the strengths and limitations of science. 
• Communicate scientific ideas effectively. 
• Appreciate the role of science in social and technological change and the ethical implications. 
• Gain a basis for studying the VCE Sciences. 
• Gain knowledge of the processes and procedures of science including design, measurement, data handling and presentation and safety practices. 
• Begin to recognise vocational training and VCE courses for transition to employment or to further study.

YEAR 7
Students are taught to better use the scientific vocabulary and to better describe and explain their observations and investigations.

They are encouraged to raise questions, design simple experiments and discuss their ideas and findings. They use a variety of textual, electronics and other resources to find out about and communicate their ideas.

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students develop knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts and skills to better describe observations in their immediate world and beyond.

They identify energy changes, forces, chemical and physical changes. They gain a deeper understanding of biology, astronomy, chemistry, physics and psychology.

Scientific investigations become more complex with greater control of the variables. They collect data with more precise measuring instruments and interpret the results in greater detail. Student design becomes more complex and there is a greater use of communication technology.

VCE
Students perform complex laboratory and other investigations. They build on their understanding of science theories and models. Student design of experiments is complex taking account of all the relevant variables and the procedures are increasingly used to analyse the experimental data. They explore topics within a range of contexts and clearly communicate the findings and implications. Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology units 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all offered at this level.