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SCIENCE

The Science Department offers seven subjects. In the junior school there are Science as a core subject and Investigative Science as an elective and in the senior school five Authority registered subjects are offered, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Multistrand Science and Physics.

All students in the junior school study Science as one of their core subjects. In Junior Science the Department aims to open up an understanding of the patterns and processes found in creation, to develop thinking in scientific method and approaches to problem solving, to give knowledge and understanding of science relevant to students' interests and environment and to develop an interest in, and enjoyment of, science. The course aims to provide a wide range of practical experiences, and develop practical and group skills, the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team. Equal time is spent on four areas of science in each year level. These areas are Life and living, Earth and beyond, Natural and processed materials and Energy and change.

Investigative Science mainly aims to develop working scientifically skills through extended investigations and projects with an emphasis on students working collaboratively to acquire the in-depth knowledge and process skills necessary to achieve a desired outcome. Investigative Science complements the Junior Science core subject and is done in addition to Junior Science.

All senior science subjects are two-year courses that build on the knowledge and skills practised in the junior school. By studying Biology students gain insight into the scientific manner of investigating problems pertaining to the living world. The Chemistry course is contextual and utilizes the principles and laws of chemistry to explain a variety of topics and problems such as metals use in society and water and environmental pollution. Earth Science aims to develop for students an understanding of the Earth on which we live, and its position in the structure of the universe. Multistrand Science incorporates aspects of the major areas of science by studying them through a thematic approach and examining the relationships among science, technology and society. The subject emphasises the application of science to the problems and issues of modern society such as treatment of disease in current times. Physics is the study of the Universe and how it works. The course is built on a number of real-world contexts such as safety and design, which includes topics such as amusement parks, transport and sport.

All senior science subjects use a variety of testing instruments such as research and experimentally based assignments, multimedia presentations and tests.

The Department is well resourced to cater for the demands of the Junior and Senior Science subjects such as a professional observatory consisting of a Celestron 14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope housed in a 4.5m rotating dome above the physics laboratory, a number of field scopes, as well as a 13m radio telescope designed to monitor solar activity and other astronomical phenomena. All subjects are taught in teaching laboratories that are outfitted with monitors for video and video microscope use. All laboratories have access to a data projector and a full range of experimental equipment such as microscopes for student use.

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