Science
Science provides a practical way of answering interesting questions about the biological, physical and technological world. Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour arising from our desire to make sense of our world through exploring the unknown, investigating universal mysteries, making predictions and solving problems. (Western Australian Curriculum: Science: Rationale)
Here at St Luke's we believe the science education of your child is but one part in their growth and academic development, and that development will progress in their own unique manner. Whilst allowing for this individual development, we will endeavour to push them to achieve beyond what they believe they are capable of achieving at all times.
Years 7 and 8
In the first two years of their schooling the focus will be upon them developing their science inquiry skills, that ability to conduct experiments and gather information to explain the unknown. Just as important, and hugely beneficial in later years, is them learning how they best learn and retain information, so that they can succeed in future years and achieve their potential.
Years 9 and 10
As they progress into Years 9 and 10, a lot more emphasis is placed upon the science content that they are learning and where it is leading them with regard upper school science subjects. This focus on purpose and future direction leads to more motivated intrinsic learners who take charge of their learning and start setting goals for their future.
In a world that is fast evolving with new developments and change, we are conscious of the fact that we need to send our students out prepared to not just fit in with this world, but to have the desire to lead this development. To be science literate, to question opinions and articles so freely published in the media of today and; to formulate their own opinions rather than be reliant upon others for this.
The greatest skill that we can impart to our children is the ability to think, as this differentiates us from the robots and machines that are fast replacing the workers of today.
Years 11 and 12
In Years 11 and 12, the Science Department offer Chemistry, Human Biology and Physics ATAR classes that have, and continue to give, students the greatest chance at entering University.
STEAM
This elective is for those students who have shown a keen interest, and an aptitude for the sciences in Year 7 and Year 8. The course will entail some freedom and flexibility for each student to pursue a particular field of science that interests them in an open ended investigation, that may result in them experimenting, constructing or simply researching, but at the completion presenting their findings. This is important as there is no point in discovering or creating something without then having the ability to present it to the wider community or peers in an informative, entertaining but educational manner. The students will be supported and encouraged to pursue their respective projects in a scientific manner that will greatly enhance their school learning, and may give them an insight into a future career.
The project that they work on will obviously make a large proportion of the assessed marks for the unit, however their ability to present these findings will also be assessed, to hopefully build each student's confidence in their own abilities.
