The HSC course extends students’ understanding of the processes and impact of science on individuals, communities, and the environment. It focuses on how scientific ideas are tested, communicated, and applied in contemporary contexts.
The HSC course includes four modules:
Scientific Investigations
Students learn to design and conduct robust investigations, assess risks, and evaluate the reliability, accuracy, and validity of their data.
Technologies
This module examines the ways scientific discoveries drive technological advances and how new technologies enable scientific progress.
Fact or Fallacy?
Students explore how to critically evaluate scientific claims, distinguish science from pseudoscience, and identify misinformation and cognitive bias in media and public discourse.
Science and Society
Students investigate how science informs ethical decisions, policy, and cultural values. Case studies focus on contemporary scientific issues and their social implications.
Depth Study and Real-World Science Excursion
Students undertake an independent Depth Study, allowing them to explore a research question, conduct an extended investigation, or critically analyse a scientific issue.
To support this, students participate in an excursion to a scientific research facility or university lab, where they:
Use authentic equipment and techniques
Collect primary data for analysis
Engage with professionals in STEM fields
These experiences prepare students for further study and help develop skills in communication, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning.
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