Year 10 STEM

LEVEL: Year 10

LENGTH: One semester

Recommended background:

Successful completion of Year 9 Science and Mathematics with a B grade or higher, and the intention to study Stage 1 Chemistry, Physics and/or Mathematical Methods.

Content:

Students will explore two main themes: Space and Biomedical Inventions.

Students will be introduced to engineering and design thinking through a series of inquiry and problem-based learning tasks, including their participation in the Science and Engineering Challenge at Flinders University. They will design and undertake a range of experiments to develop skills and general capabilities including critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

Through collaboration with local educational and research facilities, students will explore the possibilities of living in space. They will conduct research to learn more about our universe, design experiments to test a hypothesis relating to living in space and create a designed solution to a problem related to living on another planet.

Students will develop a biomedical invention which aims to improve upon current medical treatments or address a gap in current research. They will research a medical issue of their choosing and use the design process to generate ideas, develop and test prototypes, and refine, create and evaluate a final designed solution. They will design experiments to test a hypothesis relating to their chosen invention and develop a portfolio of evidence of their learning in relation to the two main themes as well as the development of their chosen general capabilities. Their final portfolio will be exhibited at a public expo at the end of the semester.

Assessment:

Students’ performance will be determined according to the SACE Stage 1 Integrated Studies Performance Standards. Grades A to E will be used for reporting purposes.

For this 10-credit SACE Stage 1 subject, students will provide evidence of their learning through four assessments, including:

  • at least one practical exploration
  • at least one connections task
  • at least one personal venture.

Leads to: Stage 1 Biology A, Stage 1 Biology B, Stage 1 Chemistry A & BStage 1 NutritionStage 1 Physics A & B and Stage 1 Psychology