S C I E N C E
The Science curriculum at Campbell High School is underpinned by a commitment to making Science relevant and practical for all students. Course units are based on current topics and contain many opportunities to learn and develop deep understandings and practical skills relating to the process of investigating issues in a scientific manner. By the end of year 10, students who have successfully completed Science programs at Campbell High School will be well prepared for further study in Science at college or CIT.
Campbell High School guarantees all students will have opportunities to study Science from year 7 to year 10 with a core program for all students. Students in year 7 are grouped in Science on the basis of their literacy and numeracy skills. Usually a small class is formed to assist students who need additional skill development in these areas. All classes follow a common course of study.
In year 8, the Science program provides scope for students who have particular strengths and interests in Science as well as providing a core general program. The level 2 program is designed for the general student population and provides students an interesting and challenging sequence of science lessons and experiences. As in year 7, students are catered for who require additional support in their Science learning.
The level 1 program is for students who have shown a significant interest in Science and have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement in their year 7 studies. Level 1 courses are designed to extend students vertically (concepts are more challenging) and laterally (encompassing more content).
Students are placed in level 1 or level 2 courses in years 8, 9 and 10 on the basis of performance during the preceding year, as well as teacher recommendation. Class placements are not fixed and provisions are made for movement between levels throughout the year.
The year 10 level 1 Science course is designed and delivered to prepare students for study of Tertiary (T) Science units at college. Therefore students considering studying Tertiary (T) level Science subjects at college should aim to be in level 1 Science when entering year 10.
To cater for those students in years 9 & 10 who enjoy Science and wish to be more up to date with the latest developments we offer an elective unit as part of the year 9 & 10 electives structure. This unit is called Science Extension and runs for 1 semester.
Science Units
Year 7 (1 unit per term)
Matter and Change
Rocks, Fossils and Minerals
Energy and Change
Living Things
Year 8 (1 unit per term)
Chemical Changes
Plants and the Environment
Work, Force and Machines
The Changing Earth and Sky
Years 9 (1 unit per term)
Amazing H2O
Our Planet Earth
Making Sense of the World
Fuelling the Human Body
Year 10 (1 unit per term)
Level 1
Chemical Reactions
Motion and energy
Genetics and Evolution
Sustainable Futures
Level 2
Consumer Chemistry
Everyday Physics
Genetics and You
Sustainable Futures
Resources
Students access a wide range of scientific equipment, current texts, computer hardware and software to support and enhance their learning in Science. Students also use digital cameras, laptops and data loggers to digitally record practical activities and manipulate experiment results into tables and graphs.
Students have opportunities to participate in a number of Science competitions such as RACI’s Australian National Chemistry Quiz and Titration Stakes, Rio Tinto’s Big Science Competition, the Engineering Games and uses CSIRO’s CREST award to promote science investigations.
