Matthew Meinema
Domain Leader – Science
The Science domain provides a range of curriculum and extra-curriculum options that students can engage with to drive their curiosity and solve some of the worlds big issues.
Throughout Year 7-9, students will have the opportunity to study all strands of Science, including Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science and Biology. Throughout middle school, students will not only develop their academic capacity in Science but also develop the fundamental skills of working in a laboratory through practical application, including experiments and problem-based learning.
As students transition to senior school, they are invited to selected courses supporting their personalised pathways, which includes an array of subjects covering all area’s of Science, including psychology and laboratory skills.
In Year 11 and 12, Joseph Banks Secondary College students have a wide range of choice, including four ATAR, five General and one certificate course to choose from.
The Science Domain also offers a range of extra-curricular courses in middle school to provide students to excel in Science, and are selected in addition to their normal Science classes. Joseph Banks Secondary College also provides an opportunity for our prospective scientists, offering our SCIscope program and Science on the road programs to engage students in Science.
If you have any questions with regards to the Science Learning Area, please don’t hesitate to contact us!”
Courses
Year 7 & 8
Year 9
Aspirant Young Scientists
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Do you have a passion for Science? Are you wanting to explore the vast array of opportunities for young people in STEAM? Aspirant Young Scientists is a course designed to encourage young people to consider a career in STEAM when
CoRE (Year 9)
Domain: ScienceTimetable: All TrimestersLength of Course: 1 Year Course Information Develop your exploration skills by ‘exploring the unknown’ in Year 9 CoRE. You will investigate minerals, looking at how chemistry is used to extract metals; you will explore our oceans using various remote survey techniques; and will develop a plan for mining an
Electronics
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Are you able to construct a circuit? How many volts does it take to damage a human? This elective is an introduction to mathematics, physics, and electronics concepts. Students will learn the relationship between resistance, current and voltage using Ohm’s
Year 10
Cells to Survival
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Are you the next Fiona Wood? Were you fascinated by the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you want to find a cure for diabetes, cancer or obesity? Maybe your big question is why you have your mother’s
Forensic Science
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: Trimester Course Information This course is a hands-on learning experience that allows you to learn techniques relevant to Forensics. This course teaches techniques for facial reconstruction and students learn how to analyse blood types, fingerprints and hair samples to solve a crime.
Human Biology 101
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Unit Information How does each of the body’s systems work together to achieve homeostasis? How does our body regulate emotion, sleep and coordinate movement? How does our body fight off infection and provide immunity against some of the world’s deadliest
It’s All Chemical!
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Unit Information Do you want to be a doctor, engineer or the next Nobel Prize winning scientist? How about becoming a mechanic, work with food, or makeup? All these professions rely on the understanding of chemical reactions, structures, theories, and observations
Physics in Action
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Have you ever wondered how people can manoeuvre through mountain tops in a wingsuit, or travel through a 90-degree bend at speeds of 160km/h in Formula 1? Physics in Action takes you behind the scenes of some of the worlds most
Psychology
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Unit Information In this course you will be introduced to the study of Psychology. You will conduct research, gather data and use online resources to investigate a range of topics including personality, learning style and mind tricks. You will be
Saving Planet Earth
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Have you ever wondered why there are so many different living things on our planet and why they look different from one another? How can we use aquaponics to promote eco-friendly agriculture and growth? Why does Australia have the only egg-laying
Space Academy: Communication in Space
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Communication in Space explores the world of ways we currently communicate in space, and will provide students with opportunities to unpack the links between the mining industry and space, robotics, AI and automation. Explore the world of remote operation centres and
Space Academy: Our Curious Cosmos
Domain: Science Timetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3 Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Our Curious Cosmos delves into the secrets of the universe and aims to unlock our current understandings of the cosmos. This course aims to provide practical and relevant experiences for students to learn about the final frontier.
Space Academy: Solar Systems and Satellites
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Solar Systems and Satellites explores the role of satellite technology in the exploration of the universe, and discovery of new stars and system, whilst unpacking the everyday impact satellite technology has on our life on earth. Thousands of satellites orbit the
The Heat Is On!
Domain: ScienceTimetable: Trimester 1, 2 or 3Length of Course: 1 Trimester Course Information Have you ever wondered why polar bears have black skin? Do you ever think about how we can produce various colours when creating fireworks? Have you ever considered how much energy you can put into your body and
Year 11 & 12
Biology (ATAR)
Course Code: AEBLY/ATBLYDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Biology is the study of the fascinating diversity of life as it has evolved and as it interacts and functions.Investigation of biological systems and their interactions, from cellular processes to ecosystem dynamics, hasled to biological knowledge and understanding
Chemistry (ATAR)
Course Code: AECHE/ATCHEDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Chemistry is the study of materials and substances and the transformations they undergo throughinteractions and the transfer of energy. Chemists can use an understanding of chemical structures andprocesses to adapt, control and manipulate systems to meet particular economic, environmental
Earth and Environmental Science (General)
Course Code: GEEES/GTEESDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour arising from our desire to make sense ofour world. Science knowledge is contestable and is constantly revised, refined and extended as newevidence arises. Students can experience scientific discovery and
Human Biology (ATAR)
Course Code: AEHBY/ATHBYDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Human biology covers a wide range of ideas relating to the functioning human. Students learn aboutthemselves, relating structure to function and how integrated regulation allows individuals to survive in achanging environment. They research new discoveries that are increasing
Human Biology (General)
Course Code: GEHBY/GTHBYDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information In the Human Biology General course, students learn about themselves, relating the structure of thedifferent body systems to their function and understanding the interdependence of these systems inmaintaining life. Reproduction, growth and development of the unborn baby are
Integrated Science (General)
Course Code: GEISC/GTISCDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Science is a dynamic, collaborative human activity that uses distinctive ways of valuing, thinking and workingto understand natural phenomena. Science is based on people’s aspirations and motivations to follow theircuriosity and wonder about the physical, biological and technological
Psychology (ATAR)
Course Code: AEPSY/ATPSYDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, feel and act. It aims to answer important questionssuch as what factors influence human development. While there are other disciplines that overlap withpsychology’s main aim to understand humans, psychology
Psychology (General)
Course Code: GEPSY/GTPSYDomain: ScienceTimetable: Semester 1 and 2Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, feel and act. It aims to answer important questionssuch as what factors influence human development. While there are other disciplines that overlap withpsychology’s main aim to understand humans, psychology