In the Science learning area students are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of important science concepts and processes, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, of science’s contribution to our culture and society, and its applications in our daily lives.

Learning science enables students to experience the joy of scientific discovery and nurture their natural curiosity about the world around them. In doing this, they develop critical and creative thinking skills and challenge themselves to identify questions and draw evidence-based conclusions using scientific methods.

Year 7 Science studies at Sacred Heart College follow the Australian Curriculum.

The Australian Curriculum: Science has three interrelated strands:

1. Science Understanding;
2. Science as a Human Endeavour; and
3. Science Inquiry Skills.

1. Science Understanding strand comprises four sub-strands:

The Biological Sciences sub-strand is concerned with understanding living things. Students explore the diversity of life on Earth and develop their understanding of the role of classification in ordering and organising information. They use and develop models such as food chains, food webs and the water cycle to represent and analyse the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems and explore the impact of changing components within these systems.

The Chemical Sciences sub-strand is concerned with the composition and behaviour of substances. Students explore ways in which pure substances in mixtures can be physically separated.

The Earth and Space Sciences sub-strand is concerned with Earth’s dynamic structure and its place in the cosmos. Students investigate relationships in the Earth, sun, moon system and use models to predict and explain events.

The Physical Sciences sub-strand is concerned with understanding the nature of forces and motion, and matter and energy. Students consider the interaction between multiple forces when explaining changes in an object’s motion. They explore the notion of renewable and non-renewable resources and consider how this classification depends on the timescale considered.

2. The Science as a Human Endeavour strand comprises two sub-strands:

The Nature and development of Science
sub-strand develops an appreciation of the unique nature of science and scientific knowledge, including how current knowledge has developed over time through the actions of many people.

The Use and Influence of Science sub-strand explores how science knowledge and applications affect peoples’ lives, including their work, and how science is influenced by society and can be used to inform decisions and actions.

3. The Science Inquiry Skills strand comprises five sub-strands:

Questions and predicting,
Planning and conducting,
Processing and analysing data and information,
Evaluating,
Communicating

In the practice of science, the three strands are closely integrated.

Classes
All students in Year 7 will study the same course for three periods.

In addition to this they will have an extra period in Semester One only to develop their Science Inquiry Skills.

Assessment
Students will be assessed using a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the year to provide feedback on their learning. Summative assessments typically consist of tests, inquiry-based assignments and scientific investigations.