2SGEN

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.

Total Credits Available: 18
Internal Assessed Credits: 14
External Assessed Credits: 4
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91158 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91160 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.8 - Investigate biological material at the microscopic level


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91189 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 2.3 - Investigate geological processes in a New Zealand locality


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91191 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the causes of extreme Earth events in New Zealand


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91911 v1
NZQA Info

Chemistry 2.2 - Carry out an investigation into chemical species present in a sample using qualitative analysis


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 18
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0