Biology
Module guides, sample programs, teaching activities, sample assessment tasks and exam questions and general resources assisting you in preparing programs, units of work and lesson plans.
The Stage 6 module guides for Year 11 and 12 biology are high-quality curriculum resources that highlight best practices for science teaching. They were developed in collaboration with experienced science teachers.
The module guides:
- contain contemporary ideas about teaching and learning science in high school
- emphasise scientific inquiry
- are structured around the Big Ideas of Science
- equip classroom teachers with pedagogical content knowledge for the biology course.
The following support materials may be adapted by teachers to meet the individual needs of their schools.
Teaching activities
- Module 5 polypeptide synthesis lesson (docx 81.74 KB)
- Module 5 DNA replication (docx 271.53 KB)
- Module 5 pedigrees autosomal inheritance (docx 586.38 KB)
- Module 7 transmission of pathogens investigation (docx 67.55 KB)
- Module 7 Infectious disease and agriculture (docx 210.81 KB)
- RNA and SARS-CoV-2 (docx 214.27 KB)
- Black Death - using CER (docx 853.59 KB)
General resources
- Biology resource links (docx 72.98 KB)
- Evaluating scientific data Stage 4 to 6 (docx 253.85 KB)
- Evaluating scientific investigations abridged (docx 69.33 KB)
- Indigenous perspectives (docx 58.38 KB)
- Investigation planning sheet (docx 43.33 KB)
- Risk analysis table (docx 44.32 KB)
- Scientific thinking scaffold (docx 43.94 KB)
- Self assessment strategy met not met I noticed (docx 45.11 KB)
- Student reflection science investigations (docx 148.27 KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (docx 45.0 KB)
NESA resources
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) have support resources including sample units and assessment schedules for the Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
Resources available outside the department
All links are provided as a suggestion.
Although this page may contain links to third party websites and resources, the NSW Department of Education is not responsible for the condition or content of these sites or resources as they are not under the control of the department.
- sciencing.com - Storing energy during photosynthesis
- asknature.org - Converting solar energy into chemical energy
- nature.com/scitable - Cell energy and cell functions
- ABC Education - How do cells get energy and what is photosynthesis? (duration 2:10)
- coursera.org Origins - Formation of the Universe, Solar System, Earth and Life
- manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth - Further Investigations: Change Over Time
- nytimes.com/section - Will it happen again? Examining mass extinctions on earth
- worldatlas.com - Timeline Of Mass Extinction Events On Earth
- Planet Doc Full documentaries - Sixth Mass Extinction (Full Documentary) (duration 50:17)
- Habitabilitylab - Major Life Extinctions Events (duration 1:10)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries – Geologic 2. NSW karst environments – the treasure chest of time
- eh-resources.org – Reconstructing past climates
- Aboriginal Rock Paintings
It is strongly suggested and advised to contact your local AECG for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and information.
- ghr.nlm.nih.gov - What are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?
- SNPs - Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (Better Explained) (duration 1:13)
- Single nucleotide polymorphism SNP (duration 5:11)
- learn.genetics.utah.edu - Making SNPs Make Sense
- Define polymorphism
- Define SNP
- shmoop.com - Gene Flow and Genetic Drift
- Gene Flow & Genetic Drift in Evolution (duration 9:17)
- differencebetween.com - Difference Between Genetic Drift and Gene Flow
- Bozeman science – Genetic drift (duration 11:28)
- Genetic Drift, Gene Flow, and Types of Natural Selection (duration 4:03)
- ck12.org/student - Disruption of Homeostasis - Advanced
- Khan Academy - Homeostasis
- Bozeman science - Homeostatic Disruptions (duration 8:05)
racgp.org.au - An introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health cultural protocols and perspectives outlines appropriate and respectful engagement with and teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander intellectual and cultural property.
It is strongly suggested and advised to contact your local AECG for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and information.
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Science Biology Stage 6 Syllabus© NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2021.