The Year 11 Investigating Science course introduces students to how science is practised and understood in everyday and professional contexts. It promotes curiosity, creative problem-solving, and the ability to critically evaluate evidence and claims.
The Preliminary course includes four modules:
Cause and Effect – Observing
Students learn how observation forms the basis of scientific inquiry and how relationships between variables are tested through valid and reliable investigations.
Cause and Effect – Inferences and Generalisations
Students explore how evidence is used to make generalisations and how scientific models and theories are constructed, challenged, and refined over time.
Scientific Models
This module examines the types, purposes, and limitations of scientific models and their role in understanding natural phenomena and communicating science.
Theories and Laws
Students explore how scientific theories and laws are developed, tested, and updated. They examine examples of how scientific knowledge evolves through historical and contemporary case studies.
Depth Study and Fieldwork
Students complete a Depth Study as part of their course, focusing on a topic of personal or scientific interest. To support this, students participate in an excursion to a university or industrial lab, where they:
Conduct practical investigations
Collect data for analysis
Apply their inquiry skills in real-world settings
These experiences strengthen their ability to think scientifically and communicate findings effectively.