Centenary State High School1 Moolanda Street, Jindalee QLD 4074 | PO Box 321, Mt. Ommaney QLD 4074

Phone: 3373 4555 | Fax: 3373 4500Email: enrolments@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au | www.centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

CRICOS Provider 00608A DETE

Centenary State High School1 Moolanda Street, Jindalee QLD 4074 | PO Box 321, Mt. Ommaney QLD 4074

Phone: 3373 4555 | Fax: 3373 4500Email: enrolments@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au | www.centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

CRICOS Provider 00608A DETE

Science Prospectus

www.centenaryshs.eq.edu.au

Science Prospectus

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Science Department Overview“Science is a way of life. Science is a perspective. Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that’s precise, predictive and reliable – a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional.”

Dr Brian Green, Modern and Theoretical Physicist

Science is used to explore and explain phenomena of the Universe. Scientists work in ways which incorporate a complex assortment of activities, mental processes, routines and approaches. The study of scientific knowledge and scientific ways of working can help students reach deeper understandings of the world.

In undertaking a course of study in science, students begin to understand and use the conceptual ideas of science in their everyday lives. Students learn to initiate inquiries and propose hypotheses, draw conclusions, answer questions or form generalisations based on the evidence collected. Identifying and solving problems are fundamental processes that allow students to make decisions about the applications of science.

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Science Department OverviewThe science curriculum at Centenary SHS is designed to challenge and stimulate students’ understanding of scientific events. The curriculum is delivered by a very caring, enthusiastic and highly motivated group of educators. Students are offered several opportunities to engage in challenging science events and/or competitions such as the Science & Engineering challenge, Solar Car challenge, and competitions such as ICAS, Big Science and Australian National Chemistry Quiz across Years 7 to 12, Chemical Analysis (Titration) competition across Years 10 to 12, Australian Brain Bee Competition.

Students are also afforded the opportunity to apply for representation as Science Experience candidates - a partly sponsored week of university and industry experience, UQ Science Ambassadors, Green Heart Schools Future BNE - an immersive and interactive, future-thinking learning challenge in which student teams channel their best innovative ideas, critically evaluate water use and battle other Brisbane schools to discover how science, technology and art can work to build a better future and many more opportunities.

Science at Centenary SHS is futures-oriented and involves more than studying scientific facts!

Excellence in ScienceEXCEL Science programs at Centenary SHS extend across Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 and are designed to extend our academically inclined and highly motivated students. Our aim is to firmly embed Higher Order Thinking Skills with the purpose of enabling students to reach the highest possible academic achievement, a deeper understanding of the world, preparing for the university course of their choice and ultimately for jobs of the future.

Students are accelerated through the respective year level course work. Students are extended on respective year level course work; this will usually involve engaging in concepts at higher level than the current year level. At the end of Year 9, students would have completed all the expectations of ACARA up to the end of Year 10. Students are provided with opportunities to engage in the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Experience Program at QUT and SPARQ-Ed at the Transitional Research Institute attached to the PA hospital where students undertake investigations such as cancer cell research, amongst a range of other challenging programs.

A stringent selection process is followed in the constitution of classes. Data is collated from application forms and students’ NAPLAN scores to finalise a shortlisting for an aptitude test which is based on the ACER PAT-M and PAT-S standardised tests. Data from this testing and the student’s initial application is used to complete the final list of students that are invited to join the program.

Selection into the EXCEL program does not guarantee the student a place in the program for the duration of the time that they are at the school. Half yearly reviews of students' results are conducted and students are given notice if their results are not conducive to the program’s outcomes. If students do not meet the requirements given to them at the half yearly review they will be placed in the mainstream programs for their year level and other students will be offered an invitation to join the program for the following year.

Science Prospectus

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Junior ScienceScience is a core subject in Years 7, 8 & 9. All topics within this course of study address the Australian Curriculum. The three strands of the Science curriculum are Science Understanding, Science Inquiry Skills and Science as a Human Endeavour. Science programs are shaped to the needs of the students to ensure teaching and learning experiences provide an appropriate level of academic challenge. Central to all of the units of work delivered in Junior Science is experiential learning through carefully planned practical investigations to encourage students to ENGAGE, EXPLORE and ENJOY science as they relate and apply classroom based learning to real life experiences. Scientific research protocols are embedded at each juncture of the junior phase to establish strong research skills to ensure strong outcomes in the senior phase.

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Science Prospectus

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Senior Science - Year 10Core Science

Core science continues the development of Science Understanding (SU), Science Inquiry Skills (SIS) and Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE). Students are rotated through Physical Science (Physics, Chemistry and Space & Energy) and Life Science (Genetics, Evolution and Earth Science). The purpose of the rotation is to provide the benefit of teachers with expert knowledge on Biology, Chemistry and Physics in preparation for Year 11 subject selections and clearer directions on career pathways.

EXCEL

In Year 10, students will engage with concepts usually encountered in the senior phase of Science across the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Additionally, students will engage with problem-based learning through Robotics.

Extended Science Investigations (ESI)

ESI is offered by invitation to Year 9 students going into Year 10 who have demonstrated excellent achievement in Science and Maths, interest and motivation to pursue further studies in science and the capacity to work independently and in teams. This course provides opportunities to extend science understanding and inquiry skills in contexts not addressed in the Year 10 science course. These include nanotechnology, fuels cells, neuroscience, epigenetics and any other contemporary interest in science. Students engaged in this course will pursue independent investigations including the CSIRO Crest Awards. Opportunities to work with science organisations for work experience will be pursued and scientists will be invited to provide guest lectures.

Senior Science - BiologyBiology is the science of life and involves the study of the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution of living organisms. The coursework is designed to achieve the following outcomes for students:

• A knowledge and understanding of the living world and the uniqueposition of human kind

• Ability to apply biological understanding, skills and reasoning to presentand emerging issues

• A recognition that Australian ecosystems have unique characteristics

• The capacity to identify, gather, manipulate and process information in thecontext of scientific investigations including field study

Students are provided the opportunity to experience how real scientists work through real time investigations:

• In Year 11 students investigate ecosystems of rocky shores, creeks and mangroves on a three day camp at Hastings Point in New South Wales

• In Year 12 students undertake investigations in Genetics at the Queensland Institute of Medical research (QIMR) laboratories

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Senior Science - ChemistryChemistry is involved in everything we do, from growing and cooking food to cleaning our homes and bodies to launching a space shuttle. Chemistry is one of the physical sciences that help us to describe and explain our world. A contextual approach is used to deliver the coursework. This means that chemistry is not taught in theoretical isolation. The need to understand the relationship of Chemistry to the world around us and its applications is the foundation on which the course and subject matter are based. The coursework is designed to achieve the following outcomes for students:

• An understanding of the relevance of Chemistry to the world in which welive

• An understanding of the fundamental concepts, ideas and language ofChemistry

• Scientific investigative skills

• Practical techniques to manage chemicals and laboratory apparatus safely

• Logical, creative and reflective thinking processes to make decisions andsolve problems involving the application and use of Chemistry

Science Prospectus

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Senior Science - PhysicsKnown as the fundamental science, Physics creates a foundation for other natural sciences. It explains natural phenomena in the universe. Physicists perform and repeat experiments to formulate laws and explain how our universe works. A contextual approach is used to deliver the coursework. The coursework is designed to achieve the following outcomes for students:

• An understanding of Physics as the fundamental science

• An understanding of significant physical theories, laws and models

• The ability to relate physical principles to everyday living

• The ability to solve problems, use scientific principles and gain appropriate manipulative skills, useful in post-secondary school life

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