L1SCIE

Level 1 Science

Course Description

Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge: Mr T. Hill.

Science is about people exploring and investigating their biological, chemical, physical, and technological worlds and making sense of them in logical and creative ways.

This course will enable students to get a good grounding for the study of Science subjects at Level 2 & Level 3 (Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, and Biology). 

Topics include Genetics, Microorganisms, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth's interactions with the sun and moon. Within each topic, opportunities exist to build the skills of Information Gathering, Processing & Interpreting, and Reporting.  


Course Overview

What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
Microorganisms: This is a case study about the micro-organism responsible for Kauri dieback. This topic involves several experiments, research and a report on the findings.

Physics investigation: This topic takes students through the process of designing and running a Physics investigation Students collect and process the data and write a report on the findings.

Chemistry: This topic continues from Year 10 chemistry giving students a good grounding of the fundamentals in preparation for L2 Chemistry. There is a written assessment at the end of the topic.

Genetics: This involves the fundamental processes of genetics including case studies of New Zealand native species and how genetics is used to assist in bringing organisms back from the risk of extinction. An external exam is sat at the end of the topic.

Interactions between the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon: This looks at how Earth interacts with the Sun and Moon and the effects of these interactions creating seasons, tides, and temperature changes. There is an external exam at the end of the topic.

Recommended Prior Learning

This course has no prerequisites; open entry to all.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

There are write-on booklets, that cover work for some of the external and internal assessments, which can be purchased for approximately $12 each. These booklets can be purchased from the school once classes are finalised.

Pathway

Career Pathways

Assessment Information

Students will choose 3 of the 6 standards from the list above.
There are 2 internal assessments and 1 external assessment.
All assessments are Achievement standards and provide the opportunity for Achieve, Merit, and Excellence.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Total Credits Available: 31
Internal Assessed Credits: 21
External Assessed Credits: 10
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 92020 v3
NZQA Info

Chemistry and Biology 1.1 - Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between a microorganism and the environment


Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 92021 v3
NZQA Info

Chemistry and Biology 1.2 - Demonstrate understanding of chemical reactions in context


Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 92022 v3
NZQA Info

Chemistry and Biology 1.3 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation in relation to an identified characteristic


Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 92044 v3
NZQA Info

Physics, Earth and Space Science 1.1 - Demonstrate understanding of human-induced change within the Earth system


Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 92045 v3
NZQA Info

Physics, Earth and Space Science 1.2 - Demonstrate understanding of a physical phenomenon through investigation


Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 92046 v3
NZQA Info

Physics, Earth and Space Science 1.3 - Demonstrate understanding of the effect on the Earth of interactions between the Sun and the Earth-Moon system


Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 31
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 5
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Please note that courses will go ahead only if student numbers, staffing, and timetabling allow it.  Where a subject is oversubscribed, and there are insufficient numbers or resources to create an extra class, a ballot system may be applied.  

Costs

The Board of Trustees has again asked to opt into the Ministry of Education donation scheme. Doing so resulted in the ability to waive student fee donations. Kaiapoi High School aims to deliver quality educational courses over and above those that which is funded by the Ministry. It is likely the School will opt into the donation scheme for 2025, however parental contribution for the costs of trips and activities where participation is optional, and/or components not covered by the Government grant, may be requested. We appreciate the financial support our families make to the School.