LEVEL: Year 8
LENGTH: Full Year
Content:
The Australian Curriculum: Science has three interrelated strands: science understanding, science as a human endeavour and science inquiry skills. The year 8 Science course aims to promote an interest in science and contemporary issues in science, society and the environment. Students are introduced to cells as microscopic structures that explain macroscopic properties of living systems. They explore changes of state in matter at a particle level and distinguish between chemical and physical change. They begin to classify different forms of energy and describe the role of energy in causing change in systems, including the role of heat and kinetic energy in the rock cycle. Students develop their science inquiry skills by undertaking a range of investigations, including guided inquiry, designing experiments to test their own hypotheses, and researching scientific phenomena and issues. Using their iPads, students collect data, analyse relationships, and communicate and present information in a variety of formats.
Assessment:
Students’ performance will be determined according to the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards. Grades A to E will be used for reporting purposes.
Students’ understanding and skills will be assessed in a variety of tasks including; practical reports; research and inquiry-based learning tasks; tests; and various forms of communication including essays, videos and oral presentations.
Leads to: Year 9 General Science