SCI2

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

Career Pathways

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.

Total Credits Available: 31
Internal Assessed Credits: 27
External Assessed Credits: 4
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
U.S. 16337 v6
NZQA Info

Describe New Zealand Greenshell mussel (kutai, kuku) farming


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 10
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 16672 v5
NZQA Info

Describe Pacific oyster (tio) farming industry in New Zealand


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 10
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91154 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.2 - Analyse the biological validity of information presented to the public


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91190 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 2.4 - Investigate how organisms survive in an extreme environment


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91191 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the causes of extreme Earth events in New Zealand


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 31
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0