Investigating Science Year 11 and 12
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 for all students and may be differentiated to suit school contexts. The course promotes active inquiry and the planning and conducting of evidence-based investigations. It provides opportunities for problem-solving and making informed scientific decisions. Students engage in examples and situations that relate to biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics. The Investigating Science course is designed to complement the study of other science disciplines and provides additional opportunities for students to develop capability and capacity in critical thinking, problem-solving and develop and communicate evidence-based arguments and make informed decisions.
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Watch why choose Investigating Science? (02:39)
Speaker Holly Hopper
Science is everywhere, and in Investigating Science, you get to test what you’re interested in. The course is led by you, it’s hands on, you test your curiosities, it’s creative, and most of all its fun.
Speaker Lydia
In Investigating Science you’re not just learning the content, you’re not just learning things that are set by the syllabus, you’re actually investigating ideas and concepts and applying scientific skills, so its more than just like remembering stuff that you’ve learnt.
Speaker Chris Bormann
If you have questions, then Investigating Science is a great subject. You have the opportunity to really dig deeper, and think big about issues that are relevant to you.
Speaker Isaac
You could be interested in rocks, you could be interested in fish, it doesn’t matter there’s always a topic for you.
Speaker Ashley Mulcahy
Investigating Science is probably, in my opinion, the most important subject that a student could ever study. It gives you the opportunity to apply science to whatever it is in your life.
Speaker Jeanine Lawler
I think students really appreciate that freedom of being able to just go and apply skills, to whatever scenario they choose, rather than focusing on content.
Speaker Yesinah
In Investigating Science you get to go outside of the classroom, and do practicals, you can visit different places and, take your work and study from outside, into the classroom.
Speaker Gemma Schrederis
Science is all around us, and this course is an opportunity for students to go out and explore, and bring that back, and investigate it through a scientific lens.
Speaker Lydia
If you’re studying another science subject, Investigating Science is the course for you, because its really complimentary, really useful to apply knowledge from like, disciplines of science, but also from scientific skills and understanding.
Speaker Bailey
If you’re just interested in science in general, and you’ve chosen any other science topics, bio, chem, physics, 100% go for it, it will really benefit you in the long run, more ways than you will realise.
Speaker Ashley Mulcahy
Not everyone is going to grow to be a scientist, but, everyone should have the opportunity to learn how a scientist thinks, and that’s what the course gives us.
Speaker Isaac
Learnings a lot more meaningful when your doing what you want to be doing, you have a lot more enthusiasm towards, a subject if your doing what you want to be doing.
Speaker Chris Bormann
There’s no other subject like Investigating Science, seeing students really develop their understanding, follow their interests, and to be there supporting them, as they direct their learning, is just so rewarding.
[End of transcript]
Modules resources Year 11
- Module 1 depth study sample timeline scaffold (docx 44.23 KB)
- Module 1 cause and effect observing depth study (docx 52.5 KB)
- Module 1 observations (docx 60.43 KB)
- Module 1 observations as evidence (docx 57.36 KB)
- Module 1 depth study observations pH (docx 48.97 KB)
- Module 1 role of observations (docx 69.83 KB)
- Module 1 student portfolio (docx 48.12 KB)
- Module 1 peer evaluation (docx 44.39 KB)
- Module 3 assessment notification model (docx 49.23 KB)
- Module 4 depth study (docx 53.42 KB)
- Module 4 depth study ideas (docx 44.73 KB)
- Module 4 theories and laws (docx 66.63 KB)
- Module 1 guide (docx 2.06 MB)
Modules resources Year 12
- Module 5 guide (docx 284.85 KB)
- Module 5 6 and 7 assessment task fact or fallacy (docx 57.67 KB)
- Module 6 guide (docx 762.46 KB)
- Module 6 assessment oral presentation (docx 107.68 KB)
- Module 6 technologies unit (docx 59.92 KB)
- Module 7 guide (docx 251.89 KB)
- Module 7 fact or fallacy unit (docx 61.74 KB)
- Module 8 guide (docx 541.01 KB)
- Module 8 unit plan (docx 62.03 KB)
- Module 8 science and society depth study (docx 48.36 KB)
- Year 12 modules Problem Set (docx 1.06 MB)
General resources
- Implementing the Investigating Science syllabus (docx 43.28 KB)
- Evaluating scientific data Stage 4 to 6 (docx 253.85 KB)
- Evaluating scientific investigation abridged (docx 69.33 KB)
- Indigenous perspectives (docx 55.94 KB)
- Inspired scientific thinking (docx 43.94 KB)
- Investigation planning sheet (docx 43.33 KB)
- Resource links (docx 112.9 KB)
- Risk analysis table (docx 44.32 KB)
- Self assessment strategy met not met I noticed (docx 52.14 KB)
- Student reflection science investigations (docx 148.27 KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (docx 45.0 KB)
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Science Investigating Science 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.