Investigating science
The investigating science course is multidisciplinary and develops students' abilities to engage with scientific processes to investigate personal, community and global scientific issues.
Investigating science is designed to be aimed at all students. The course promotes active inquiry and evidence based investigations. It provides opportunities for problem solving and making informed scientific decisions. Students can engage in examples and situations that relate to biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics.
Support materials for the investigating science syllabus
The following support materials may be adapted by teachers to meet the individual needs of their schools. They will be published progressively in Term 4 2017. The support materials were developed by NSW public school teachers as part of the Stage 6 mEsh project where 62 teachers led writing teams (over 150 teachers) across NSW.
Units of work
- 11INS module 1: cause and effect – the role of observations
- 11INS module 1: cause and effect – observations
- 11INS module 1: cause and effect – observations as evidence
- 11INS module 4: theories and laws
- 12INS module 6: technologies
- 12INS module 7: fact or fallacy
- 12INS module 8: influence of economic, social and political forces on scientific research
Assessment tasks
- 11INS module 4: theories and laws sample assessment task
- 12INS module 6: technologies oral presentation sample assessment task (DOCX 108KB)
- 12INS modules 5 and 7: fact or fallacy sample assessment task (DOCX 59KB)
Depth studies
- 11INS module 1: cause and effect sample depth study (DOCX 51KB)
- 11INS module 1: sample depth study on consumer products (DOCX 47KB)
- 11INS module 1: constructing scientific models sample depth study (ZIP 211KB)
- 11INS module 1: observing pH sample depth study (DOCX 49KB)
- 11INS module 4: models and laws sample depth study (DOCX 55KB)
- 11INS module 4: depth study ideas (DOCX 45KB)
- 12INS module 8: science and society sample depth study (DOCX 49KB)
General resources
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in Stage 6 science (DOCX 55KB)
- Investigation planning scaffold (DOCX 44 KB)
- Risk analysis table (DOCX 45KB)
- Scientific thinking scaffold (DOCX 44KB)
- Self assessment strategy (DOCX 45KB)
- Student reflection on investigations (DOCX 149KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (DOCX 47KB)
