Science

At Woonona High School, science is a journey of discovery. From the first day of Year 7 to the final steps of the HSC, our Science Faculty inspires students to ask questions, investigate, and understand the world around them.

Curriculum

Stage 4 (Years 7–8)

In Stage 4, students are introduced to the core foundations of science. They explore the world of living systems, delve into the secrets of the universe, investigate chemical interactions and manipulate data science. Learning is hands-on, with experiments, projects, and activities that ignite curiosity and build essential scientific skills. To complement classroom learning, students have the opportunity to consolidate the concepts explored through whole year group excursions, including visits to the Science Space and Western Sydney Zoo.

Stage 5 (Years 9–10)

Stage 5 builds on these foundations with deeper inquiry into the physical, chemical, biological, and Earth sciences. Students learn to think critically, solve problems, and apply their knowledge to contemporary issues such as climate change, health, and technology.

Stage 6 (Years 11–12)

At Woonona High School we strongly value STEM and the many opportunities and skills that these fields offer to our graduating students. As such, we offer our senior students the opportunity to select from all senior sciences that the NSW Board of Studies has to offer. This gives students the opportunity to specialise in their passions while preparing for future study and careers. We offer:

• Biology – understanding life from the cellular level to ecosystems, including the study of disease and genetics

• Chemistry – exploring atoms and matter, complex reactions, and the chemical tools to identify unknown substances

• Physics – applying the laws of the universe to real-world problems, including waves, motion and modern technologies that rely on these

• Earth and Environmental Science – investigating the Earth’s systems, both past and future and looking at how to pave the pathway to a sustainable future on our planet

• Investigating Science – developing advanced skills in scientific thinking, designing investigations, evaluating evidence, and understanding the processes of science itself, including how to manage scientific malpractice, corruption and misinformation in a modern world. This course is particularly valuable for students considering further study in any STEM field, as it emphasises problem-solving, analysis, and cross-disciplinary applications, as well as ethical considerations and the influence of society on the direction of scientific research.

  For students who are confident, independent learners and eager to pursue tertiary science pathways, we also offer the following in their final HSC year:

• Science Extension – a challenging and rewarding course where students move beyond the core sciences to design, conduct, and present their own novel scientific investigation. This inquiry allows them to make a genuine contribution to the broader scientific community while developing critical skills in research design, data analysis, academic writing, and communication. Science Extension encourages students to think like professional scientists, preparing them for university level study and beyond. Our students have been highly successful in this course to date, with excellent support and subject specific mentors for each student, both of which have contributed to the attainment of E4 results and formal scientific publications of student work.

  Elective Subjects

  We also offer a range of junior elective subjects, including:

  Stage 4	Subject	Description
  	Crime Scene Investigation	Apply science to solve mysteries through forensic techniques such as fingerprinting, chromatography, and blood splatter analysis.
  	Marine Studies	Dive into oceanography and explore the fascinating world of marine ecosystems. Discover how oceans shape our planet and investigate the incredible diversity of life beneath the waves.
  	STEM	Explore fundamental problem solving strategies and work in teams to solve a range of exciting hands-on challenges. Think robots, puzzles, obstacles courses and epic build offs!
  Stage 5	Subject	Description
  	iSTEM	Design, build, and innovate with projects that combine coding, robotics, engineering, and real-world technology such as 3D printing and design.
  	Marine and Aquaculture Technology	This subject brings science and the sea together through hands-on studies of fish farming, ocean biology and recreation. Build knowledge and skills that highlight the importance of our marine environments.
  	Environmental Science	Investigate the dynamics of ecosystems, the influence of human activity, and the story of past climates by uncovering evidence from fossils and geological systems. Get out into the field to explore the world around us!