SCIENCE

Physical Science is a foundational course designed to prepare students for senior secondary studies in Physics and Chemistry in Years 11 and 12. Through a balanced exploration of the physical world, students develop the scientific knowledge, practical skills, and analytical thinking required for success in these specialist science subjects.

Students investigate key concepts in matter, energy, forces, motion, chemical reactions, atomic structure, electricity, and the interactions that govern the natural world. They engage in hands-on experiments, scientific investigations, data analysis, and problem-solving activities that build confidence in applying scientific principles to real-world situations.

The course places a strong emphasis on developing laboratory skills, scientific inquiry processes, critical thinking, and the use of mathematical and technological tools in science. Students learn how scientists collect and evaluate evidence, communicate findings, and use scientific understanding to explain and predict phenomena. Physical Science provides an ideal pathway for students considering future studies and careers in science, engineering, medicine, technology, environmental science, and other STEM-related fields. It equips students with the prerequisite knowledge and skills necessary to confidently transition into Senior Physics and Senior Chemistry courses.

‘How It Works’ is an inquiry-based course that encourages students to explore one of humanity’s most fundamental questions: How does it work? Through the investigation of both natural and engineered systems, students develop curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the complexity and ingenuity found in the world around them.

Students examine the remarkable systems of the human body, exploring how organs, tissues, and biological processes work together to sustain life. Alongside this, they investigate engineering marvels, everyday technologies, machines, structures, and inventions to understand the principles, design processes, and scientific concepts that make them function.

The course invites students to study areas of personal interest, exploring a wide range of topics such as transportation systems, communication technologies, medical devices, architecture, robotics, renewable energy, aerospace systems, and other innovations that have shaped society. Students are encouraged to ask questions, conduct research, analyse evidence, and communicate their discoveries.

A unique feature of the course is the exploration of both human-designed systems and the wonders of God’s creation. Students consider how complexity, purpose, design, and interdependence are evident in the natural world, from the human body and ecosystems to the intricate structures and processes found throughout creation. They are encouraged to reflect on how scientific understanding and faith can contribute to a greater appreciation of the world and our place within it.

Through hands-on investigations, design challenges, case studies, and research projects, students develop skills in observation, problem-solving, innovation, communication, and scientific inquiry. By examining how things work—whether created by human ingenuity or found within the natural world—students gain a greater understanding of the principles that govern life, technology, and the universe.

How It Works: Systems, Design and Discovery fosters curiosity, wonder, and a lifelong passion for learning, while providing a strong foundation for future studies in science, engineering, technology, health, and innovation.

This unit extends students’ exploration of forensic science and its critical role in modern criminal investigations. Students examine how scientific principles from biology, chemistry, physics, and forensic psychology are applied to collect, analyse, interpret, and present evidence in the pursuit of justice. Through hands-on investigations, simulated crime scenes, laboratory activities, and analysis of real-world case studies, students develop scientific inquiry, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills while gaining insight into the methods used by professional forensic investigators.

Students explore a broad range of forensic disciplines, including fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling, toxicology, trace evidence examination, blood spatter analysis, digital forensics, and crime scene investigation. They also investigate the emerging field of forensic psychology, examining how behavioural science contributes to criminal investigations through offender profiling, eyewitness testimony, memory reliability, interrogation techniques, victim behaviour, and the psychological factors that influence criminal activity.

Throughout the course, students consider the importance of accuracy, objectivity, ethics, and legal procedures in forensic investigations. They learn how evidence is collected, preserved, analysed, and presented, while examining the limitations and challenges associated with forensic science in both investigative and courtroom settings.

As a culminating assessment, students work collaboratively in forensic investigation teams to solve a complex simulated crime. They process a crime scene, examine physical and behavioural evidence, analyse forensic data, develop offender profiles, and prepare a comprehensive investigation report. Students then present their findings to a panel acting as detectives, legal professionals, or a jury, where they must justify their conclusions using scientific evidence and sound investigative reasoning.

To complete the experience, students participate in a mock trial, where their evidence, procedures, and conclusions are subjected to examination and cross-examination. This authentic learning experience challenges students to defend their findings, evaluate competing interpretations, and demonstrate an understanding of forensic science, forensic psychology, legal processes, and ethical responsibilities.

This unit provides an engaging introduction to the interdisciplinary nature of forensic science and develops skills highly relevant to future studies and careers in science, law, criminology, psychology, policing, and investigative professions.

At the core of all scientific endeavour is the inquiry into the nature of the universe. Science uses a systematic way of thinking, involving creative and critical reasoning, in order to acquire better and more reliable knowledge. Scientists recognise that knowledge is not fixed but is fallible and open to challenge. As such, scientific endeavour is never conducted in isolation but builds on and challenges an existing body of knowledge in the pursuit of more reliable knowledge. This collaborative process, whereby new knowledge is gained, is essential to the cooperative advancement of science, technology, health and society in the 21st century.

Tertiary study in any field will be aided by the transferable skills developed in this senior Science subject. It is expected that an appreciation of, and respect for, evidence-based conclusions and the processes required to gather, scrutinise and use evidence will be carried forward into all aspects of life beyond the classroom.  The purpose of senior Science subjects in Queensland is to introduce students to a scientific discipline. Students will be required to learn and apply aspects of the knowledge and skill of the discipline (thinking, experimentation, problem-solving and research skills), understand how it works and how it may impact society.

Upon completion of the course, students will have an appreciation for a body of scientific knowledge and the process that is undertaken to acquire this knowledge. They will be able to distinguish between claims and evidence, opinion and fact, and conjecture and conclusions.  In each of the senior Science subjects, students will develop:

• a deep understanding of a core body of discipline knowledge;
• aspects of the skills used by scientists to develop new knowledge, as well as the opportunity to refine these skills through practical activities;
• the ability to coordinate their understandings of the knowledge and skills associated with the discipline to refine experiments, verify known scientific relationships, explain phenomena with justification, and evaluate claims by finding evidence to support or refute the claims.

Biology provides opportunities for students to engage with living systems. In Unit 1, students develop their understanding of cells and multicellular organisms. In Unit 2, they engage with the concept of maintaining the internal environment. In Unit 3, students study biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life. This knowledge is linked in Unit 4 with the concepts of heredity and the continuity of life. 

Students will learn valuable skills required for the scientific investigation of questions. In addition, they will become citizens who are better informed about the world around them and who have the critical skills to evaluate and make evidence-based decisions about current scientific issues.

Chemistry is the study of materials and their properties and structure. In Unit 1, students study atomic theory, chemical bonding, and the structure and properties of elements and compounds. In Unit 2, students explore intermolecular forces, gases, aqueous solutions, acidity and rates of reaction. In Unit 3, students study equilibrium processes and redox reactions. In Unit 4, students explore organic chemistry, synthesis and design to examine the characteristic chemical properties and chemical reactions displayed by different classes of organic compounds.

Physics provides opportunities for students to engage with the classical and modern understandings of the universe. In Unit 1, students learn about the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, electricity and nuclear processes. In Unit 2, students learn about the concepts and theories that predict and describe the linear motion of objects. Further, they will explore how scientists explain some phenomena using an understanding of waves. In Unit 3, students engage with the concept of gravitational and electromagnetic fields, and the relevant forces associated with them. Finally, in Unit 4, students study modern physics theories and models that, despite being counterintuitive, are fundamental to our understanding of many common observable phenomena.

Students will learn valuable skills required for the scientific investigation of questions. In addition, they will become citizens who are better informed about the world around them, and who have the critical skills to evaluate and make evidence-based decisions about current scientific issues.

Psychology provides opportunities for students to engage with concepts that explain behaviours and underlying cognitions. In Unit 1, students examine individual development in the form of the role of the brain, cognitive development, human consciousness and sleep. In Unit 2, students investigate the concept of intelligence, the process of diagnosis and how to classify psychological disorder and determine an effective treatment, and lastly, the contribution of emotion and motivation on the individual behaviour. In Unit 3, students examine individual thinking and how it is determined by the brain, including perception, memory, and learning. In Unit 4, students consider the influence of others by examining theories of social psychology, interpersonal processes, attitudes and cross-cultural psychology.

Science in Practice provides opportunities for students to explore, experience and learn concepts and practical skills valued in multidisciplinary science, workplaces and other settings. Learning in Science in Practice involves creative and critical thinking; systematically accessing, capturing and analysing information, including primary and secondary data; and using digital technologies to undertake research, evaluate information and present data.

Science in Practice students apply scientific knowledge and skills in situations to produce practical outcomes. Students build their understanding of expectations for work in scientific settings and develop an understanding of career pathways, jobs and other opportunities available for participating in and contributing to scientific activities.

Projects and investigations are key features of Science in Practice. Projects require the application of a range of cognitive, technical and reasoning skills and practical-based theory to produce real-world outcomes. Investigations follow scientific inquiry methods to develop a deeper understanding of a particular topic or context and the link between theory and practice in real-world and/or lifelike scientific contexts.

By studying Science in Practice, students develop an awareness and understanding of life beyond school through authentic, real-world interactions to become responsible and informed citizens. They develop a strong personal, socially oriented, ethical outlook that assists with managing context, conflict and uncertainty. Students gain the ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams to maximise understanding of concepts, while exercising flexibility, cultural awareness and a willingness to make necessary compromises to accomplish common goals. They learn to communicate effectively and efficiently by manipulating appropriate language, terminology, symbols and diagrams associated with scientific communication.

The objectives of the course ensure that students apply what they understand to explain and execute procedures, plan and implement projects and investigations, analyse and interpret information, and evaluate conclusions and outcomes. Workplace health and safety practices are embedded across all units and focus on building knowledge and skills in working safely, effectively and efficiently in practical scientific situations.