Exemplary Science

What Science means at Northcote High School

Northcote High has continued to deliver a rich and growing Science Program since becoming a Science & Technology Centre in 1996. This is exemplified by our initiation and participation in the following Science Initiatives:

 

  • University of Melbourne Astrophysics Group (2012+)
  • Participation in SIS program (2001 – 2003).
  • Participation in the In2Science Peer Mentoring Program (2004+).
  • Hosting the EnviroScience Expo ( including presenters from Monash Uni, RMIT, EPA, Melb Water) in 2006.
  • “Bringing Science to the Community” – new program (2007+).
  • Year 11 Chemistry –Extension program Bio21 Institute (2007+)
  • Participation (one of four schools in Victoria) in the Tall Poppy Program (2007+).
  • Melbourne Water Yarra river Youth Conference (2007)
  • Pharmaceutical challenge-Monash University (2007+)
  • ATSE STELR project (2008+)
  • Siemens Science experience (2008+)
  • National Youth Science Forum-Canberra (2008+)
  • Science communicators in school (2008+)
  • Young Science Ambassadors program (2008+)
  • ISS-International Science School (2009+)

In the classroom, a major emphasis has been to introduce students to cutting edge teaching methodology. Students engage in the various sciences through investigation and exploration with a great emphasis on meaningful practical activities. All students are given the opportunity to excel, by assessing in a diverse way including inquiry based projects, modeling and extension activities. The delivery of science is continually supported by the use of ICT in various forms including, data logging, multimedia and virtual collaboration spaces are utilized to support students learning. During 2009 the development of new science electives for Y10 had a focus on new cutting edge sciences and best preparing our students for VCE, increasing flexibility and opening pathways. The following units have been successfully implemented in 2010, Moving and Reacting, Engineering the Future, Mind Body and Crime and Environmental Engineering. Science at the senior levels is ever increasing with large numbers at Y10 and VCE due to the success at the overall program.

 

Through Northcote’s involvement in varying and diverse projects along with the development of VELS the 7-10 curriculum has been enhanced to including multidisciplinary aspects and a widening of students skills. This has also exposed the students to various community projects, involving working with leading scientists, international guests and staff gaining first hand experiences including a trip to CERN and the LHC. The development of partnerships with the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and ATSE STELR project has allowed all students to see applications of science beyond the classroom and have the opportunity to work on projects within the universities. The opportunity for 7-10 students to work with young scientists through the Peer Mentor program has continued to be rewarding and enlightening to students. The Science faculty is once again reviewing its curriculum to align with the National Curriculum and provide exciting opportunities for students to apply Science beyond the classroom, moving away from textbooks by developing curriculum by subject specialists and embracing 1:1 computing.

 

The school has a strong VCE curriculum and offers the following subjects in Units 1-4; Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Psychology. Supporting these are the opportunities for participation in the extension and enrichment programs.