Science

NESA Stage 5 Syllabus

Science provides an empirical way of answering interesting and important questions about the biological, physical, and technological world, and enables students to make informed choices and responsible decisions as individuals and as part of the community.

Through the study of Science, students develop knowledge and understanding of the living and nonliving world Students examine the historical and ongoing contribution of scientists and the implications of this research on scientific knowledge, society, technology, and the environment.

Students work individually and in teams to plan and conduct investigations They evaluate issues and problems, identify questions for inquiry and draw evidenced based conclusions from their investigations By engaging in scientific inquiry, students develop a deeper appreciation of the unique nature and development of Science as an evolving body of knowledge, of the provisional nature of scientific explanations and of the complex relationships between evidence and ideas Students’ understanding of Science and its social and cultural contexts provides a basis for them to make reasoned evidence-based future choices and ethical decisions, and to engage in finding innovative solutions to science-related personal, social and global issues, including sustainable futures

Practical experiences, which emphasise hands-on activities, will occupy a substantial amount of course time. All students will be required to undertake at least one research project during Stage 5.