Science at Shirley Smith High School inspires students to be curious, capable and critical thinkers who seek to understand the world through observation, investigation and evidence. Across Years 7 to 9, students progressively develop the knowledge, practical skills and scientific habits of mind needed to explore the physical, chemical, biological and Earth sciences. Learning is carefully sequenced so that students begin by mastering safe laboratory practices and the foundations of scientific inquiry before applying these skills to increasingly complex concepts, systems and real-world challenges. Through hands-on investigations, practical experiments, research projects and collaborative problem-solving, students learn to ask meaningful questions, design and conduct fair investigations, analyse and interpret data, evaluate evidence, and communicate scientific ideas with confidence using a range of written, digital and practical formats.
Our Science program emphasises authentic learning experiences that connect classroom concepts with contemporary issues, emerging technologies and everyday life. Students explore sustainability, health, engineering, energy, environmental stewardship and the contributions of both Western science and First Nations Australian knowledge systems, developing an appreciation of the diverse ways scientific understanding is created and applied. By fostering curiosity, resilience, creativity and evidence-based reasoning, the program equips students with the scientific literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in senior secondary studies and to make informed decisions as engaged citizens in an increasingly complex and technology-rich world.
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Science at Shirley Smith High School develops students' curiosity about the natural world by engaging them in the practices of real scientists. Throughout Year 7, students build the knowledge, practical skills and scientific thinking needed to investigate questions, analyse evidence and communicate conclusions with confidence. Learning begins with establishing safe laboratory practices and foundational investigation skills before applying these through increasingly complex contexts including the properties of matter, ecosystems, biodiversity, forces, simple machines, Earth and space science, and First Nations Australians' scientific knowledge. Students regularly plan and conduct investigations, collect and interpret data, develop scientific explanations, evaluate evidence and communicate their findings using a range of written, digital and practical formats. Hands-on learning, collaboration and authentic problem-solving are central to the program, fostering curiosity, critical thinking and an appreciation of how scientific knowledge helps us understand and improve the world around us.
Building on the foundational knowledge and scientific inquiry skills developed in Year 7, the Year 8 Science program challenges students to explore increasingly complex scientific concepts and apply their learning to authentic real-world contexts. Students deepen their understanding of the structure and behaviour of matter, investigate the organisation and function of living systems, examine energy transfer and transformation, and explore the dynamic processes that have shaped and continue to shape the Earth. Throughout the year, students undertake practical investigations, analyse and interpret data, construct and evaluate scientific models, and use evidence to develop well-reasoned explanations. As their scientific thinking matures, students are encouraged to solve problems, evaluate the reliability of evidence, and communicate their findings using a range of written, digital and practical formats. Hands-on investigations, collaboration and inquiry-based learning remain central to the program, fostering curiosity, critical thinking and an appreciation of how science informs innovation, sustainability and decision-making in an ever-changing world.
Building on the scientific knowledge, practical skills and inquiry processes developed throughout Years 7 and 8, the Year 9 Science program challenges students to investigate complex systems and evaluate the role of science in addressing real-world issues. Students deepen their understanding of biological regulation, disease, atomic structure, chemical reactions, energy transfer, electricity, Earth systems and reproduction while exploring how scientific knowledge develops through evidence, innovation and collaboration. Throughout the year, students design and conduct investigations, analyse increasingly complex data, evaluate the reliability of evidence, construct and apply scientific models, and communicate evidence-based conclusions using appropriate scientific language and representations. Learning experiences promote critical thinking, problem-solving and ethical decision-making through authentic scientific contexts, encouraging students to recognise the connections between science, technology, society and the environment. By fostering independence, resilience and analytical thinking, the Year 9 program prepares students for the increased depth, rigour and specialised pathways of senior secondary science while equipping them with scientific literacy for informed participation in the modern world.