NCEA L2 Science - Mātauranga Pūtaiao
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr D. Tinker.
This is a general science course with a focus on science in local contexts. It is designed to further develop scientific skills to complement other curriculum areas, possibly leading to level 2 study in science. If you would find L2 &3 sciences (chemistry, physics and biology) to be a bit too hard at this stage, then this course may be ideal for you. Or, if you want a taster of all areas of science in one course, then it would be suitable for you too. Key though is to make sure you have selected it as an option before the start of the 2025 school year.
The content of the course changes each year, based on the class's interests but generally includes:
- Marine farming - We will look at some aspects of farming in a marine environment (some of this topic is also covered in SMS2)
- Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes - We live in an amazing part of the world. However, we also have earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. You will look at how these geological events have shaped our country and Marlborough specifically.
- Looking at the validity of significant information that has been presented to the public: think about the misinformation from the anti-vaccination movement, for example. It is really important to be able to sort out fact from fiction
Course Overview
Term 1
Standards to be confirmed but will be focused on Earth Science. This means that you will likely be looking at our place in the universe (how stars and planets are formed) as well as plate tectonics.
Term 2
Standards to be confirmed but will be based on Marine Science - for example, Mussel Farming.
Term 3
Standards to be confirmed but will be based on aspects of Geology for example Geological impacts on NZ. This involves looking at how an event directly impacted Marlborough. The 2016 quake would be a good example here,
Term 4
Examination preparation - there are some externals that are taken in term 4.
Recommended Prior Learning
This course is open entry, but it is very important that you are actually interested in science - you will get the best out of the course if you do.
Pathway
Assessment Information
The assessments listed are examples of what you will study. The final assessments are chosen by the class at the tart of term 1.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.
External
NZQA Info
Describe New Zealand Greenshell mussel (kutai, kuku) farming
NZQA Info
Describe Pacific oyster (tio) farming industry in New Zealand
NZQA Info
Biology 2.2 - Analyse the biological validity of information presented to the public
NZQA Info
Earth and Space Science 2.4 - Investigate how organisms survive in an extreme environment
NZQA Info
Earth and Space Science 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the causes of extreme Earth events in New Zealand