Science
Common Unit
Unit Description
Year 7 Science provides a comprehensive introduction to laboratory learning and the foundations of scientific inquiry. Through a balanced combination of explicit teaching and hands-on learning, students build confidence in practical settings and develop essential scientific knowledge and skills. Scientific literacy and numeracy are embedded throughout, alongside opportunities for independent inquiry, collaboration, extension and enrichment.
In Semester 1, students investigate the properties of matter, mixtures, separation techniques and forces. Practical experiences are designed to stimulate curiosity and engagement while strengthening students’ ability to apply scientific ideas, analyse information and solve problems.
In Semester 2, students explore biodiversity, classification and ecological relationships, with meaningful connections to the Year 7 Environment Camp. The year concludes with a collaborative STEM project focused on sustainable design, in which students test ideas, interpret evidence and justify their decisions.
Across the course, students develop critical and creative thinking, teamwork and scientific communication through discussion, reports, tables, graphs, diagrams, scientific posters and presentations.
Assessment
Topic tests Students apply their knowledge and increasingly independent inquiry skills through a balanced program of low-stakes formative assessment and more formal assessment tasks. These may include:
• Topic tests
• Guided research tasks
• Practical skills assessments
• Data interpretation tasks
• Scientific posters and presentations
• Collaborative STEM activities
