Science is mandatory for all students from Year 7 to Year 10.
Science 7-10 provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real-world problems. Science emphasises the skills for working scientifically, as well as critical and creative thinking to address scientific issues.
In Years 11 and 12, students can choose from different science disciplines, including:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Investigating Science
- Physics.
In Year 12, students who are studying at least one other science subject may also choose to study Science Extension.
St Clair High School Science department aims to provide students with as diverse a curriculum as possible, enhancing the traditional subjects of Physical World, Chemical World, Living World and Earth Science. Students explore the role of science within our society and how science interacts with and touches on our everyday lives. The Faculty of Science has a proud tradition of preparing confident students for the challenges of living in a complex technological environment and their future careers.
The experienced and specialised teaching team consistently help students achieve targeted outcomes. The staff recognises students have different learning styles and cater for them by delivering varied lessons combining traditional lessons integrated with technology such as Cosmos. In addition with a stimulating first hand experience approach, combining an experimental and research focus, students learn in an enjoyable and relevant environment by being actively involved. This helps ensure young people take responsibility for their learning, understand themselves and the world around them and are able to apply their understandings in unfamiliar situations and solve problems in creative ways. Our aim in Science is to equip St Clair students with the intellectual skills and some of the background knowledge that will enable them to investigate these issues confidently and responsibly over the course of their lives.
Science is a mandatory course for students undertaking junior high school (Years 7 to 10). All students will be required to sit for their Valid Science exam at the end of Year 8 and Year 10, this will assess outcomes covered in that stage.
In junior high school, Science is taught in a practical, hands-on way. By catering for a range of interest and ability levels, students are given the opportunity to experience the principles they are learning through investigations, demonstrations, field trips, videos or the use of digital technology. A range of diverse teaching processes are employed, with a focus on skill development, including working as a group, research and oral skills. Experimental Research Projects are a mandatory part of the Science Syllabus for Stages 4 & 5 and constitute the major part of our Science homework requirements.
Students in years 11 and 12 may choose to study the individual science courses of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science or Investigating Science. Senior Science students are given the opportunity to explore areas as diverse as biotechnology, space and environmental issues using the opportunity of a depth studies in a student’s chosen area. The aim is to equip students to function in a world where scientific ideas are at the forefront, and to make them aware of career paths in these areas. Students have traditionally achieved excellent results in all of these disciplines and many have gone on to pursue Science based degrees at university.
All Science students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of local and national co-curricular activities such as quizzes and competitions the department enjoys a fine reputation and boasts a long tradition of success.
There are currently six science laboratories which provide the opportunity for a variety of practical activities. Science provides an understanding of the physical world which surrounds our students.