Science Extension – Module 2
Science Extension focuses on the scientific process. In this course, students will learn about the scientific process by engaging in a scientific research project.
The Science Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) was implemented in Term 4, 2018. This one-unit course is taken by students in Year 12. Science Extension focuses on the scientific process. They will document their research experience in a research portfolio, and produce a scientific research report that highlights their findings.
The Science Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) consists of four modules:
- Module 1: The foundations of scientific thinking
- Module 2: The scientific research proposal
- Module 3: The data, evidence and decisions
- Module 4: The research report
Prior to the HSC examinations, the scientific research report will be uploaded to NESA (schools online).
The Science Extension HSC examination is a two-hour online examination. When logged in to the examination portal, students will be able to access a PDF copy of their scientific research report to help them answer questions.
Module 2
Watch
Watch showcasing achievement in Science Extension (01:41)
Chris Bormann
The NSW Department of Education is creating a showcase of student excellence in science research. We want to celebrate the amazing research that you’ve been doing.
Meirah
I think that because there is such freedom in the course where you can do almost anything that you want to do in science with people that will support you such as your mentor and your teacher it really gives kids the opportunity to pursue any type of scientific passion that they have.
Chris Bormann
So we want to hear what you’re passionate about, what you’re interested in. Why did you choose your topic?
Sean
So fishing for me has been a passion that I have had throughout my entire life, it is probably the thing I enjoy the most, I work in the fishing shop, I’m constantly involved in the fishing industry and what Extension Science does is it allows me to learn more about that passion and dig deeper into what is known.
Chris Bormann
All research reports will be published on the NSW Department of Education platform for everyone to see.
Hannah
So doing Extension Science you do feel like a real scientist Obviously results don’t always work but it’s very rewarding when it does work Because you’ve really worked for something and you’ve got a report out of it.
Chris Bormann
If you’re interested in taking part it’s easy, all you need to do is record a short video about your research experience and then ask your teacher for the details about how to upload it. Selected students will be invited to take part in a professional video production showcasing science research in schools. You’ve already done the hard work! Just talk to your teacher to find out how to upload your video. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
[End of transcript]
The department is creating a showcase of student science research and is inviting students to share their research experiences.
If you are interested in having your research published and participating in the showcase, contact your teacher for more information. Teachers, complete the nomination form (staff only) to get started.
Watch
Watch why choose Science Extension? (03:07)
Ashley Mulcahy
Extension Science is probably, in my opinion, one of the best subjects in the HSC because students get to choose their own pathway.
Sean
So far what I've liked the most is that you can actually look into what you're interested in, for me its fishing. Extension Science allows me to dig deeper into the understanding of the ecology of something you're already passionate and interested in.
Joshua Westerway
Science Extension allowed my students to explore cutting edge science that is not otherwise covered in our science syllabuses, and allowed them to engage with real, modern day, contemporary scientific research.
Meirah
I think that because there is such freedom in the course, where you can do almost anything that you want to do in science, with people that will support you such as your mentor and your teacher, it really gives kids the opportunity to pursue any type of scientific passion that they have.
Stephan Soule
With my background and understanding of science, it allows me to mentor them and guide them in a way to really understand the principles and practices of science, and exploring the, all those questions in more detail.
Hannah
I found that it really just gave me such a big head start at university, compared to other students that didn't do Science Extension, because I already knew how to write a report, I already knew how to run experiments.
Suzanne Wilson
In this subject you actually get to go beyond the classroom, you consult other people who are experts in their fields, and do science using the latest technologies.
Mitchell
I’m at the University of Sydney doing a bachelor of science, majoring in just physics, and the report writing skills I learnt in Science Extension have really been useful, in basically every class that I’ve taken.
Meirah
Doing Extension Science and practically being able to look into forensics, really helped to solidify in my mind that yeah, I’m super interested in this, and yes this is definitely a potential career path for me.
Stephan Soule
It's really getting them out of the classroom and into the real world of science, it's a fantastic opportunity to work with scientists, and also gather data, or and add and contribute to real world science as well.
Hannah
At the end of science extension, not only did I have everything that I learnt from the course, but I had this real scientific report, that I’d produced myself, for my own research and I was so proud of it and it just was so rewarding, I just felt like it was something real that I’d produced and something that I was going to keep forever, it was my first scientific report.
Suzanne Wilson
I mean a lot of teachers have heard, why do I need to know this? From a student before, never heard it in Science Extension. You want to pick something you’re interested in, you just want some help on how to do it? Then pick Science Extension.
Meirah
Even if your considering it a little bit, give it a go, what matters in Year 12, and year 11, is trying things that are new and different, because that’s what you’re going to be doing at university.
Joshua Westerway
This subject is for all students, of all levels of ability, they just need the passion and the interest to succeed.
[End of Transcript]
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Science Extension 6 Syllabus© NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2021.