Science

Mā te whakaaro nui e hanga te whare; mā te mātauranga e whakaū.

Science is a way of investigating, understanding, and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe.

Science involves generating and testing ideas, gathering evidence – including by making observations, carrying out investigations and modelling, and communicating and debating with others – in order to develop scientific knowledge, understanding, and explanations. Scientific progress comes from logical, systematic work and from creative insight, built on a foundation of respect for evidence. Different cultures and periods of history have contributed to the development of science.

Science is able to inform problem solving and decision making in many areas of life. Many of the major challenges and opportunities that confront our world need to be approached from a scientific perspective, taking into account social and ethical considerations.

By studying science, students:

  • develop an understanding of the world, built on current scientific theories
  • learn that science involves particular processes and ways of developing and organising knowledge and that these continue to evolve
  • use their current scientific knowledge and skills for problem solving and developing further knowledge
  • use scientific knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the communication, application, and implications of science as these relate to their own lives and cultures and to the sustainability of the environment.

HOD Science – Chris McGirr

Qualifications: BSc, Graduate Diploma Teaching

Experience: I started my teaching career at MRGS in 2009, then moved to London in 2012 where I taught at several different schools over the next 5 years. In 2017 I returned to NZ and MRGS. During my time at MRGS I have held roles in pastoral care and Senior Leadership.

Why I teach my subject:

I have always had a fascination with the world around me as I am always noticing things and thinking “I wonder why that happens”. In most cases, Science is able to provide the answers and explain why. I see this curiosity in many of our students so I have a passion for teaching students the key life skills to find the answers themselves.

All knowledge of the world and wider universe has been discovered and checked by someone in history, which is then taught to curious minds. It is my dream that MRGS students will go on to discover new knowledge to answer the questions that we currently cannot answer and advance the world.

Why I teach at MRGS: I didn’t know much about MRGS before moving to Auckland for this job but once I was here it was clear that this was a special place with amazing students from diverse backgrounds and who want to learn. Our students recognise when teachers put in the effort and as a professional you see the impact you can have which is very rewarding.

Courses and Pathways

Year 9 Science (Compulsory)

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

N/A

BYOD Recommendations:

Students expected to bring an appropriate electronic device such as a Chromebook, laptop or ipad to all Science classes.

Course outline:

The units you will study are:

  • Science at Work (Skills)
  • Living World (Biology)
  • Material World (Chemistry)
  • Physical World (Physics)
  • Planet Earth and Beyond (Astronomy)

Year 10 Science (Compulsory)

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

4 Level 1 credits

BYOD Recommendations:

Students expected to bring an appropriate electronic device such as a Chromebook, laptop or ipad to all Science classes.

The units you will study are:

  • Living World (Biology)
  • Material World (Chemistry)
  • Physical World (Physics)
  • Planet Earth and Beyond (Geology)
  • One NCEA Level 1 Internal either Chemistry 1.1 (4 credits) or Science 1.13 (4 credits)

Year 11 Science A

Entry Requirements:

Teacher referral

Credits:

22 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who achieved with Merit and Excellence in Science in Year 10 and would like to continue with any combination of Chemistry, Biology and Physics at Level 2.

Achievement Standards:

AS 90940 S1.1 Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics EXT
AS 90944 S1.5 Demonstrate understanding of aspects of acids and bases EXT
AS 90948 S1.9 Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to genetic variation EXT
AS 90930 C1.1 Carry out a practical chemistry investigation with direction INT
AS 90935 P1.1 Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a linear mathematical relationship, with direction INT
90931 C1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the chemistry in a technological application INT

Year 11 Science B

Entry Requirements:

Teacher referral

Credits:

18 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who Achieved in Science in Year 10 and would like to continue with any combination of Chemistry, Biology and Physics at Level 2.

Achievement Standards:

AS 90940 S1.1 Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics (2 out of 3 externals EXT) EXT
AS 90943 S1.4 Investigate implications of heat for everyday life INT
AS 90944 S1.5 Demonstrate understanding of aspects of acids and bases (2 out of 3 externals EXT) EXT
AS 90948 S1.9 Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to genetic variation (2 out of 3 externals EXT) EXT
AS 90930 C1.1 Carry out a practical chemistry investigation, with direction INT
AS 90931 C1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the chemistry in a technological application INT

Year 12 Biology

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of Achieved in Biology Level 1 External Standard AS90948 ‘Genetic variation and change.

Credits:

22 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students interested in living things and the interactions they have with each other and the natural world.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91153 2.1 Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context INT
AS 91155 2.3 Demonstrate understanding of adaption of plants or animals to their way of life. INT
AS 91156 2.4 Demonstrate understand ing of life processes at the cellular level EXT
AS 91157 2.5 Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change EXT
AS 91158 2.6 Investigate an interrelationship or pattern in an ecological population or community INT
AS 91159 2.7 Demonstrate understanding of gene expression EXT

Year 12 Chemistry

Entry Requirements:

Minimum of Achieved (subject entry examination or external) for AS 90944 Acids and Bases

Credits:

23 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who have developed an understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry at Level 1 and wish to progress in the science and art of chemistry.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91161 2.1 Carry out quantitative analysis INT
AS 91162 2.2 Carry out procedures to identify ions present in solution INT
AS 91164 2.4 Demonstrate understanding of bonding, structure, properties and energy changes EXT
AS 91165 2.5 Demonstrate understanding of the properties of selected organic compounds EXT
AS 91166 2.6 Demonstrate understanding of chemical reactivity EXT
AS 91167 2.7 Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-reduction INT

Year 12 Physics

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of Achieved for (external examination) AS90940. Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics.

Credits:

23 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who have developed an understanding and interest in physics at Level 1 and wish to extend theiunderstanding. This course will support Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine career pathways.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91168 2.1 Carry out a practical investigation that leads to a non-linear mathematicarelationship INT
AS 91170 2.3 Demonstrate understanding of waves EXT
AS 91171 2.4 Demonstrate understanding of mechanics EXT
AS 91172 2.5 Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear physics INT
AS 91173 2.6 Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism INT

Year 12 General Science

Entry Requirements:

Must have attempted Year 11 Science or HOD discretion

Credits:

17 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students interested in Science and aiming to get credits towards Level 2 certificate. This course does not continue into Level 3.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91162 CHE 2.2 Carry out procedures to identify ions present in solution INT
AS 91160 BIO 2.8 Investigate biological material at the microscopic level INT
AS 91172 PHX 2.5 Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear physics INT
AS 91296 2.8 Agri & Hort Science Produce a landscape plan INT
AS 91188 2.2 Examine an Earth and Space issue and the validity of the information communicated to the public INT

Year 13 Biology

Entry Requirements:

standards at a minimum of Achieved including one external at Level 2 Biology.

Credits:

22 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who are interested in finding out about how and why living things, including humans, came into existence and became the species they are today.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91602 3.2 Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue INT
AS 91603 3.3 Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment EXT
AS 91604 3.4 Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment INT
AS 91605 3.5 Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation EXT
AS 91606 3.6 Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution EXT
AS 91607 3.7 Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications. INT

Year 13 Chemistry

Entry Requirements:

Achievement for three level 2 chemistry standards (either the internal assessment or practice examination/external for an external standard), one of
which must be from: AS 91164, AS 91165, AS 91166. (The Level 2 Chemistry external standards)

Credits:

Up to 24 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who have developed understanding of chemistry at Level 2 and wish to explore chemistry more fully or intending to study in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Medicine at university.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91388 3.2 Demonstrate understanding of spectroscopic data in chemistry INT
AS 91389 3.3 Demonstrate understanding of chemical processes in the world around us INT
AS 913903.4 Demonstrate understanding of thermochemical principles and the properties of particles and substances EXT
AS 91391 3.5 Demonstrate understanding of the properties of organic compounds EXT
AS 91392 3.6 Demonstrate understanding of equilibrium principles in aqueous systems EXT
AS 91393 3.7 Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-reduction processes INT

Year 13 Physics

Entry Requirements:

Three standards at a minimum of Achieved and including one external at Level 2 Physics in AS 91170, AS 91171, AS 91173

Credits:

23 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students who have developed an understanding of physics at Level 2 and wish to progress their depth oknowledge. Competence in mathematics is an advantage.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91521 3.1 Carry out a practical investigation to test a physics theory relating two variables in a non-linear relationship INT
AS 91525 3.5 Demonstrate understanding of Modern Physics INT
AS 91523 3.3 Demonstrate understanding of wave systems EXT
AS 91524 3.4 Demonstrate understanding of mechanical systems EXT
AS 91526 3.6 Demonstrate understanding of electrical systems EXT

Ano Chitando

Subject I have taken: I am studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Why am I studying these subjects: I want to study at University of Auckland to become a biomedical or aeronautical engineer and these sciences are essential to understand the concepts behind engineering.
What these subjects offer me: Biology, chemistry and physics are subjects that help me question why things happen, forcing me to think more creatively and  analytically that will both be useful in my  future studies to become an engineer.
Why I love this subject: Science in general has always intrigued me. Science is one of the only subjects that is based on certainty. It explains not just how but why things happens and there is always going to be more to discover and learn. It’s a subject that never gets boring but instead keeps on expanding, becoming more interesting when you start to look at things in more detail, and this is why I love science.