THE HEAD OF SCHOOL'S ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - St Hildas School

SCIENCE
IIn the Middle School, extended experimental investigations (compulsory in the three
Senior Sciences) were implemented in Years 7 to 9. A new assessment instrument,
Response to Stimulus, was trialled in Years 7 to 9 and its success will be evaluated at the
end of the year. A Response to Stimulus instrument consists of one or more pages of
scientific data presented as tables, graphs, pictures (relating to a specific topic) to students
for their analysis and response. Year 9 also took part in the Extended Trial of the
Queensland Comparable Assessment Tasks (QCATS) in September.
In the Senior School, the Queensland Science curriculum was extended to Year 10, thus
providing a logical, sequential progression of content and skill development across the
four strands of Earth and Beyond, Energy and Change, Life and Living and Natural and
Processed Materials from Years 7 to 10. LEAP Science also was introduced in Year 10.
The Physics work program, based on the 2007 syllabus, was introduced in Year 11 as it
was being written for accreditation. The Chemistry work program, accredited in 2008, was
taught for the first time in Year 12. In Biology, the compulsory field excursion was updated
to include the study of a marine ecosystem.
Excursions/Competitions
• Queensland Institute of Medical Research High School Students Lecture – Year 12
Biology students
• HIV/AIDS Lecture – Year 10 students
• Griffith University Science and Engineering Challenge Gold Coast –Year 10 LEAP class
• UNSW International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Science – all
Years 7 to 12 Science students
• Australian Brain Bee Challenge, State Final – team from Year 10 LEAP class
• Griffith University School of Anatomy Laboratory Experience – selected Year 12 students
• Science and Engineering Challenge, State Final – Year 10 LEAP class
• Gold Coast Schools Space Walker Science Trivia Challenge – selected Years 7 to 12 students
• Rock Me Galileo Presentation – Years 8 and 9 students
• Surfing Scientist Presentation – Year 7 students
• Ecology Excursion (Hastings Point and Tallebudgera Environmental Park) – Year 11
Biology students
The most exciting development in 2009 was the move to the new Centre for Scientific
Learning and Research. Access to the extra laboratories (six in total) resulted in fewer
Science classes being held in non-laboratory classrooms and the state-of-the-art
technology has inspired and re-ignited the passion for learning among the staff. The
smartboards and document readers have been a hit with staff and new ways of
presenting information and aiding student learning are being ‘discovered’ daily.
In 2010, consolidation of the QSA-based Years 7 to 10 programs should be finalised, as
should the Years 11 and 12 Biology, Chemistry and Physics programs. New ways of using
the state-of-the-art technology in the Centre for Scientific Learning and Research will
continue to be advanced as staff and students begin their first full year in the centre.
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Dr Ed Stolarchuk
Head of Faculty