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
Exploring the Science of Everything
Course Code: 9EXPDomain: ScienceTimetable: <timetable>Length of Course: <duration> Course Information Exploring the Science of everything is designed to allow you to explore areas of Science that are of interest to you. It aims to reflect your interests in Science, introduce and improve Science Inquiry skills, and can be directly related
Space Academy
Course Code: 9SPACDomain: ScienceTimetable: <timetable>Length of Course: <duration> Course Information The Science Space Academy elective explores what it’s like to be an astronaut. Is there life out there, and who’s looking for it? Do you like tinkering and putting things together? If you would like to be a pioneer in
Year 10
Environmental Science
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Have you ever wondered why there are so many different living things on our planet and why they look so different from each other? Why does Australia have the only egg-laying mammals and numerous animals with pouches? Why do our
Experimenting with Science
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information This course is an opportunity to explore and experiment across all major fields of Science. If you love Science then this is the course for you! Discover the secrets that lie beneath the microscope, learn how to craft the perfect
Forensics
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit 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. This
From Cells to Survival
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit 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 eyes, your
Human Biology 101
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information How do the body’s systems work together to achieve balance? How does our body regulate our temperature, our breathing and our hearts? How is that we really see, smell, taste and hear? Are sports drinks actually the best way to
It’s All Chemical!
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Do you want to be a doctor, an engineer, or the next Nobel Prize Winning Scientist? If so, then an understanding of the chemical structure and interactions of matter is essential. Chemistry can help answer all of our curious questions. There
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information All man-made structures and objects in motion obey and are impacted by the laws of Physics. In this course you will learn about the foundations of the mathematical and experimental basis of physics, forces, motion and energy. In the context
Psychology
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: 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 given the
Science on the Road
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Do you want to help young drivers become expert road users and limit injuries during car accidents? Use your skills to examine the crumple zone, work out how to improve a car’s structure and explore physics in action. In this
Scientific Construction and Design
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Can you solve problems? Have you got good analytical skills? This course is designed to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The material is focussed on the engineering requirements for bridges. It will incorporate foundation engineering principles and material
Space Academy
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Space Academy delves into the secrets of the universe and aims to unlock our current understandings of the cosmos. This course provides practical and relevant experiences for students to learn about the final frontier and allows students to make observations
The Heat Is On!
Course Code: Domain: Science Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information What gives fireworks their brilliant colours? How is the sand at the beach so hot but the water so cool? Why will come metals melt just by touching them? Find out the cool answers to some of the hottest questions
Year 11 & 12
Biology (ATAR)
Course Code: AEBLY/ATBLY Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length 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, has led
Chemistry (ATAR)
Course Code: AECHE/ATCHE Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Chemistry is the study of materials and substances and the transformations they undergo through interactions and the transfer of energy. Chemists can use an understanding of chemical structures and processes to adapt, control and manipulate systems
Earth and Environmental Science (General)
Course Code: GEEES/GTEES Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour arising from our desire to make sense of our world. Science knowledge is contestable and is constantly revised, refined and extended as new evidence arises. Students
Human Biology (ATAR)
Course Code: AEHBY/ATHBY Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Human biology covers a wide range of ideas relating to the functioning human. Students learn about themselves, relating structure to function and how integrated regulation allows individuals to survive in a changing environment. They research
Human Biology (General)
Course Code: GEHBY/GTHBY Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information In the Human Biology General course, students learn about themselves, relating the structure of the different body systems to their function and understanding the interdependence of these systems in maintaining life. Reproduction, growth and development
Integrated Science (General)
Course Code: GEISC/GTISC Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Science is a dynamic, collaborative human activity that uses distinctive ways of valuing, thinking and working to understand natural phenomena. Science is based on people’s aspirations and motivations to follow their curiosity and wonder about
Psychology (ATAR)
Course Code: AEPSY/ATPSY Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, feel and act. It aims to answer important questions such as what factors influence human development. While there are other disciplines that overlap with psychology’s main
Psychology (General)
Course Code: GEPSY/GTPSY Domain: Science Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, feel and act. It aims to answer important questions such as what factors influence human development. While there are other disciplines that overlap with psychology’s main