Course Study Both semesters, compulsory
Course Description
The Year 10 Science Course follows the Australian Science Curriculum that is organised into three interrelated strands:
- Science as a human endeavour – which focuses on the nature and influence of science
- Science inquiry skills – which focuses on skills essential for working scientifically
- Science understanding – which focuses on the important science concepts from across different areas of science, as outlined below.
Biological sciences: The transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes. Students describe the role of DNA as the blueprint for controlling the characteristics of organisms and use models and diagrams to represent the relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes. Students use appropriate methods to represent patterns of inheritance and predict simple ratios involving genetic crosses. The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence. Students outline the processes involved in natural selection and interpret evidence for evolution.
Chemical sciences: The atomic structure and properties of elements are used to organise them in the Periodic Table. Students explain how the electronic structure of an atom determines its position in the periodic table and its properties. Different types of chemical reactions are used to produce a range of products and can occur at different rates. Students investigate the effect of a range of factors on the rate of chemical reactions through experimental design. They develop their skills in predicting the products of different types of chemical reactions and use word and symbol equations to represent these reactions.
Earth and space sciences: The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe. Students identify the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory and describe how the evolution of the universe, including the formation of stars and galaxies, has continued since the Big Bang. Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Students investigate how human activity affects global systems, with particular focus on the causes and effects of the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Physical sciences: Energy conservation in a system can be explained by describing energy transfers and transformations. Students recognise that energy transformations are inefficient and use models to describe how energy is transferred and transformed within a system. The motion of objects can be described and predicted using the laws of physics. Students collect data to analyse everyday motions produced by forces and use Newton’s Laws to predict how a force affects the movement of an object.
In Semester 1, the focus is on inquiry skills, including experimental design, data analysis and evaluation, as well as research skills. Students work collaboratively and independently to investigate concepts associated with the various areas of Science detailed above, and apply their knowledge and understanding in a variety of formats.
In Semester 2, students select to study two term-length optional areas of study, based on their areas of interest, as well as skills and knowledge related to possible VCE and IB Science Pathways.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is comprised of coursework (assignments and practical work), common tests and examination.