Subject Details - Stage 1 Scientific Studies A
| | |
| SACE Stage | SACE Stage 1 |
| IB Subject Group | Sciences |
| SACE Credits | 10 credits |
| Subject Length | 1 semester |
| Description | Through a focus on science inquiry skills and scientific ways of observing, questioning, and thinking, students in Scientific Studies actively investigate and respond to authentic, engaging, and complex questions, problems, or challenges. They employ interdisciplinary approaches with a focus on science and engineering, supported through the application of technology, design, and mathematical (STEM) thinking.
Students apply inquiry-based approaches to design, plan, and undertake investigations on a short term or more extended scale, responding to local or global situations. Both collaboratively and individually, they employ a scientific approach to collecting, representing, and analysing data, using technological tools effectively. After critically evaluating their procedures or models, students communicate scientifically to draw evidence-based conclusions that may lead to further testing, exploring more effective methods or solutions, or new questions.
As students explore scientific phenomena and develop investigable questions, they understand the fundamental importance of science as a human endeavour and articulate their understanding of the interaction between science and society.
|
| Topics |
Students study a selection of science inquiry skills from a set of skills as well as a selection of science concepts. The context for developing critical and creative thinking and enhancing science inquiry skills may be drawn from diverse areas including, for example: Earth’s resources and materials development, health, food and nutrition, sports and recreation, the environment, infrastructure, technology, and populations.
By exploring science as a human endeavour, students develop and apply their understanding of the complex ways in which science interacts with society, and investigate the dynamic nature of science. They explore how scientists develop new understanding and insights, and produce innovative solutions to everyday and complex problems and challenges in local, national, and global contexts. In this way, students are encouraged to think scientifically and make connections between the work of others and their own learning.
All learning is negotiated, to ensure it is relevant to local needs and the personal interests and future aspirations of students.
|
| Assessment | Assessment is school based: Students demonstrate evidence of their learning through four assessments from two assessment types: Inquiry Folio and Collaborative Inquiry. Each assessment type has a weighting of at least 20%. Students undertake: two tasks with a focus on science inquiry skills, one investigation with a focus on science as a human endeavour (SHE task) in the inquiry folio and one collaborative inquiry.
These tasks will be marked against SACE performance standards – Investigation, Analysis, and Evaluation (IAE) and, Knowledge and Application (KA).
|
| SACE Assessment Plan | Scientific Studies |
| Suggested Prior Learning | Satisfactory completion of year 10 Science. |