SUBJECT: SCIENCE YEAR 7

THE PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:
Science at Year 7 is designed to:

• Stimulate curiosity and an interest in the physical world
• Provide students with an understanding of the interaction between science, technology, the natural environment, and human society
• Introduce students to formal practical work and promote cooperative group work
• Make regular use of learning technologies including the Internet, datalogging, digital camera and specific software
• Promote a range of scientific attitudes including respect for data, care of the local environment and Problem-solving
• Introduce students to the scientific process

The Year 7 course emphasises the notion of the student and their place in the local environment as well as their place in the physical world.

Year 7 students are introduced to

• Ideas of classification and finding patterns and relationships
• Organisation of data into tables and graphs
• Drawing conclusions from gathered data
• Repeated measurements and controlling for variables

THE CONTENT OF THE COURSE:
In year 7 students study the following units:

• Firing Up - Introductory science, working Scientifically.
• Merri Creek - Habitat survey, sampling, water testing, flow rates, pollution, organisms and their environments, classification.
• Understanding atoms - Particles, solids, liquids and gases, changing states
• Mixing and separating - Substances, mixtures and separation, scientific method.
• Electric circuits - Series and parallel, components, conductors and insulators, electricity.
• Mysterious attractions - Magnets and static electricity.
• Cells of Life - Cells, microscopes, cells to organisms.
• Classification - Classifying, kingdoms, animals and plants.
• Making more mammals - Reproduction, puberty
• Our Place in space - The solar system, planets and earth.

THE ASSESSMENT IN THE COURSE:
Work Requirements:

• Unit Tests
• Practical Work
• Written Assignments
• Workbook
• Homework
• Integrated Curriculum (for integrated curriculum classes)

SUBJECT: SCIENCE YEAR 8

THE PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE:
Science at Year 8 is designed to:

• Stimulate curiosity and interest in the physical world
• Provide students with an understanding of the science of the natural world in which they live, the technology they depend on, and the interaction between science, technology, the natural environment and human society
• Extend students practical work skills by regular use of modern scientific equipment
• Make regular use of learning technologies including the Internet, datalogging, software, Lego-logo, digital cameras and presentation technologies
• Promote a range of scientific attitudes including respect for data, care of the local environment, open mindedness and problem-solving
• Develop student ideas of the scientific process
  

The Year 8 course introduces students to the concept of systems and also to the idea of physical change. Students are introduced to microscopic and atomic phenomena. A major emphasis at Year 8 in the importance of science in improving our quality of life.

Year 8 students further develop the processes of

• Classification and finding patterns and relationships
• Organisation of data into tables and graphs
• Drawing conclusions from gathered data
• Repeated measurements and controlling for variables
• Collection and organization of Information

At Year 8, students are introduced to the ideas of:

• Conducting extended practical investigations
• Suggesting hypothesise
• Recognising limitations on the reliability of data

THE CONTENT OF THE COURSE:
In year 8 students study the following units:

• Chemical Reactions - Atoms, elements, compounds, reactions, rates, acids and bases, physical and chemical change.
• Sensational Waves - Electromagnetic, light and mirrors, heat, convection, conduction and radiation, sound, the ear, frequency, and loudness
• Making Life Easier - Machines and levers. Leggo Dacta models.
• Ecosystems - Food webs, producers, consumers, energy flow, ecology, pollution
• Systems for Survival - Digestion and circulatory systems.
• Keeping Healthy - Nutrition, diet, disease, immune system, keeping fit.
• Rock of ages - Rock types, rock cycle, minerals.
• The Universe Exposed - The universe, rockets, telescopes, stars, galaxies, comets etc.
• Heroes in space - Living in space, astronauts, space travel, communications.

THE ASSESSMENT IN THE COURSE:
Work Requirements:

• Unit Tests
• Practical Work
• Written Assignments
• Workbook
• Homework
• Integrated Curriculum (for integrated curriculum classes)