NCEA Level 2 General Science
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss M. Ashford, Ms M. Vale.
Through a range of practical science investigations students will develop their self-management and ability to communicate with others. Students will develop critical thinking skills as they link observations to theory. Students will explore the use of a range of scientific symbols and vocabulary.
Students will develop an understanding of the causes of natural hazards using examples around Aotearoa such as the Tarawera eruption. Students will investigate patterns in an ecological community and present their findings. Students will develop an understanding of qualitative chemistry and use observations to identify chemical species acting as pollutants, and their impact on humans and the environment. Students will use microscopes to investigate life at the cellular level.
This course provides a pathway for students who wish to continue a broad science learning. This course is not suitable for students wishing to progress into an engineering or medical pathway.
A personal device is highly recommended to support learning.
Course Overview
Term 1
The year starts with the BIO 2.6 Ecology internal, where students will be introduced to basic ecological terminology and concepts. Students will carry out sampling as part of a field trip, with the collected data used to complete the assessed written report.
Students will then investigate the formation of New Zealand's volcanic regions (ESS 2.3), specifically within the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Students will collect geological material in the field to analyse and identify. The observations made by students will then be utilised to write a report on the formation of the region and the impact of volcanic activity on the landscape.
Term 2
Students will undertake a practical investigation (CHEM 2.2) into the identification of ionic species in unknown solutions. Students will identify the pollutants and discuss their impact on humans and the environment.
Term 3
Students will explore the microscope world (BIO 2.8); they will be preparing, analysing, and drawing samples of plant and animal tissues/cells.
Following this, students will complete learning for the external examination on extreme events in New Zealand, this includes volcanoes, tsunami, and earthquakes. This standard (ESS 2.5) will be externally assessed in November.
Term 4
Revision for the external examination.
Pathway
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision
NZQA Info
Biology 2.8 - Investigate biological material at the microscopic level
NZQA Info
Earth and Space Science 2.3 - Investigate geological processes in a New Zealand locality
NZQA Info
Earth and Space Science 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the causes of extreme Earth events in New Zealand
NZQA Info
Chemistry 2.2 - Carry out an investigation into chemical species present in a sample using qualitative analysis
Pathway Tags
Registered Nurse, Veterinary Nurse, Midwife, Oral Health Therapist, Health Care Assistant, Nursery Grower/Worker, Support Worker, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Agricultural/Horticultural Consultant, Biosecurity Officer, Science Technician, Environmental Scientist, Environmental/Public Health Officer, Fishery Officer, Pest Control Technician, Health Promoter, Facilities Manager, Barrister, Legal Executive, Solicitor,