SCIENCE AT YANKALILLA AREA SCHOOL

Science develops abilities and aptitudes to enable our students to make inquiries about the world around them through observation and experimentation. It enhances their understanding of phenomena of the natural world, nurturing a rich desire to respect nature, and live as part of it. At Yankalilla Area School, science is incorporated in the curriculum from Reception right through to Year 12.

In the Junior Years (R-5), teachers deliver science through Primary Connections - a program developed by the Australian Academy of Science in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training that links science with literacy.

The Middle Years (6-9) science program is organised into the four conceptual strands: Earth and Space, Energy Systems, Life Systems and Matter, each with its characteristic scientific knowledge and ideas. Agriculture at Yankalilla is incorporated within the Life Systems strand.

The science courses we offer become more specific in Senior School and SACE accreditation up to Year 12 is currently offered onsite in the areas of Biology and Geology, and externally for Chemistry and Physics.

Students are provided with a perfect working environment for these subjects. The science laboratories are modern, well-equipped and feature new technologies such as the interactive whiteboards. Students have wireless access to the internet through school laptops.

More and more of our science units are becoming available online from the school's Moodle site. This will enable our students to access assignments, web-links, class presentations and engage in online forums. Tests, quizzes and assignments will be able to be completed from home or anywhere that students have access to the internet.

PRIMARY SCIENCE (R-5)

The Junior School operate using Primary Connections Foundations, linking the teaching of science with the teaching of literacy. Units of study develop students' skills of working scientifically as they undertake investigations and communicate their understanding about science.

We employ an inquiry approach to teaching and learning which allows for a focus on student planned investigations for developing scientific explanations. The teaching and learning model utilizes five phases:

• Engage
• Explore
• Explain
• Elaborate
• Evaluate

Each phase has inbuilt assessment processes to enhance student learning. We encourage cooperative learning approaches to enable students to share their knowledge, ideas and experiences.

Further information about Primary Connections can be found on the website:

www.science.org.au/primaryconnections

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Learning in Biology enables students to understand the structure and function of living things and how these living things interact with each other, with other species, and with their environments. In Biology students learn about cells and structure and functions of a range of organisms how those organisms gain nutrition, reproduce and how they live in a variety of ecological habitats. In Biology students have the opportunity to join and initiate discussion about how biology impacts on their own lives as well as local and global communities.

At Yankalilla we offer Biological Science at Year 11 with a Marine and Human Nutrition focus as well as Year 12 Biology.

Marine Biology

This is a semester course that focuses on local coastal biology. A component of the course involves students undertaking a two day snorkelling course. Students participate in a range of fieldwork tasks on local reefs as well as visiting the St. Kilda Mangroves.

Topics are based on: Physical & biological components of the marine environment, classification & diversity of marine organisms and coastal ecology & human impacts.

Energy for life

This is a semester course, which provides students with an introduction to Biology through a dietary and lifestyle focus.

The course investigates the importance of the key biological macromolecules, energy transformations, human dietary requirements and the so-called "Diseases of Affluence". These include cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes, conditions that have a strong link to diet.

Students also investigate microbes and the importance of food hygiene. As part of the coursework students attend a CSIRO workshop, where they investigate and identify an outbreak of food poisoning at a fictitious wedding reception.

This subject is a useful precursor to Year 12 Biology.

Year 12 Biology

Biology explores recent developments in biological knowledge and techniques, and their importance in society.

The course is constructed around four themes:

Macromolecules: The structure and function of organic macromolecules found in living things. It considers genetic engineering and its implications.

Cells: The structure and function of cells in both unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Organisms: The structure and function of organisms with humans as the key focus

Ecosystems: Interactions between members of the same species, different species and the non-living environment.

GEOSCIENCE

Through Geoscience, students acquire knowledge of geological principles and concepts. They develop the ability to use that knowledge to identify questions, issues, opportunities, and challenges, and to gain new knowledge through their own investigations. Students develop the skills and abilities to explain geological phenomena and to draw evidence-based interpretations from the investigation of geology-related issues.

At Yankalilla our students have the opportunity to participate in discussions about how geology impacts on their own lives and on society and the environment.

Through an understanding of Geology our students will have a greater understanding of the processes that have shaped the current Fleurieu landscape.

At Yankalilla we offer Geoscience at Year 11 as well as Year 12 Geology.

Geoscience

Geoscience is a one-unit semester course offered at Year 11, which provides students with an introduction to the geosciences through a local geology focus. The course covers minerals and gemstones, the rock cycle, uses of the Earth's resources and geological issues of local concern. Geology is a "hands-on" science and students participate in local field work activities as well as visits to Hallett Cove, Victor Harbor and the SA Museum.

Year 12 Geology

Geology is about the natural processes that are shaping the Earth, and about human interaction with these processes.

Themes covered are:

The rock cycle: Minerals and their properties, the rock cycle, the formation of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

Global patterns and processes: The Earth's interior, the theory of plate tectonics, geology of Australia.

The history of the Earth: Fossils, the geological history of an area, the geological time scale, geological mapping and imagery.

Impact of Earth processes on humans: Effects of volcanic and earthquake activity on a local or global scale through plate tectonics.

Impact of human activities on the Earth: The dependence of civilisation upon earth resources and environmental issues that stem from the extraction of these resources.

All our students complete 20 hours of fieldwork undertaken in the Flinders Ranges during a week long camp.