Year 10 Science - Foundation

ACARA Subject

Discover the “Why” Behind the World Around You

Science is more than just facts and formulas—it's about asking big questions, exploring how things work, and uncovering the incredible design of our universe. In Year 10 Science, students will dive into fascinating topics across biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science, all while developing the skills to think critically, investigate thoroughly, and communicate effectively. This course is aimed at students who would like to enjoy learning the basics of Science at a more relaxed pace. Those students wanting to engage with Science at a more basic level, and who are not planning on continuing with Science in Years 11 and 12, should complete 10 Foundation Science.

Prerequisites

Students should have achieved:

There are no prerequisites

Pathways

Students who select this subject will be equipped to study:

Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Diploma of Nursing
Cert III in Business
Cert III in Engineering Pathways
Cert III in Information Technology

Applications for:

Defence Force
Police Force
Apprenticeships in Trades
Traineeships in Finance, IT, and Engineering

Course Information

Course Overview

Year 10 Foundation Science is an exciting and thought-provoking subject designed to help students explore the wonders of the natural world while developing essential scientific skills. This course encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how science shapes our lives, our environment, and our future. With a strong focus on real-world applications and ethical considerations, students will investigate key scientific concepts across biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science—all while reflecting on the relationship between science, society, and faith.

What Will Students Learn?

Students will explore a wide range of scientific topics that connect theory with practical understanding:

Biology: Investigating inheritance patterns, DNA, and the scientific and theological perspectives on creation and evolution.
Earth Science: Understanding how energy flows through Earth’s systems and impacts the environment.
Physics: Applying Newton’s laws of motion to explain and predict the movement of objects.
Chemistry: Exploring atomic structure, the periodic table, and how different factors affect the rate of chemical reactions.

Skills Students Will Develop:

Scientific Inquiry: Designing and conducting safe, ethical, and valid investigations.
Data Analysis: Interpreting patterns, trends, and anomalies in scientific data.
Critical Thinking: Evaluating scientific claims and constructing logical, evidence-based arguments.
Communication: Presenting findings clearly using scientific language and multimodal formats.
Collaboration: Working effectively in teams to explore and solve scientific problems.

These skills are highly valued in a wide range of future careers.

Assessment Activities Include:

Experimental Investigation: Factors affecting reaction rates – A hands-on chemistry experiment.
End-of-Unit Exams: Assessing understanding of Newton’s laws (Physics) and Assessing understanding of DNA and inheritance, creation and evolution (Biology), Newton's laws (Physics), and Earth's systems and impacts on climate (Earth Science).
Ongoing Class Tasks: Including practical reports, data analysis, and scientific communication tasks.

Structure

Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
In Term 1, students explore Biology through the fascinating world of genetics and the natural environment. They begin by investigating inheritance patterns, learning how DNA plays a crucial role in reproduction and the transmission of traits. This leads into a study of evolutionary theory, where students examine how natural selection helps explain the diversity of life, all while considering the theological perspective of God's extraordinary creation.	Term 2 focuses on Physics and Astronomy, learning about the principles of motion through the study of Newton’s laws. Students learn how forces interact with mass and acceleration to influence the movement of objects, applying these concepts to everyday scenarios and systems. The unit also explores the origins of the universe and analyses evidence for the Big Bang theory compared to the Model of Creation. The term concludes with an end-of-unit exam to assess students’ understanding of key physics and astronomy concepts.	In Term 3, students delve into Chemistry, studying the structure of matter through the study of atoms and the periodic table. They explore how atomic structure determines the properties of elements and how this knowledge is used to predict chemical behaviour. The unit also covers different types of chemical reactions and investigates the factors that influence reaction rates. Students will conduct an experimental investigation to explore how variables such as temperature, concentration, and surface area affect the speed of reactions, applying scientific method and analytical skills in a practical context.	The final term focuses on Earth Science, introducing students to energy flow through Earth’s spheres—biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere—gaining insight into the interconnected systems that sustain life. They explore natural and human impacts on the climate and analyse climate data. The term concludes with an end-of-unit exam to consolidate their learning.

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

In Term 1, students explore Biology through the fascinating world of genetics and the natural environment. They begin by investigating inheritance patterns, learning how DNA plays a crucial role in reproduction and the transmission of traits. This leads into a study of evolutionary theory, where students examine how natural selection helps explain the diversity of life, all while considering the theological perspective of God's extraordinary creation.

Term 2 focuses on Physics and Astronomy, learning about the principles of motion through the study of Newton’s laws. Students learn how forces interact with mass and acceleration to influence the movement of objects, applying these concepts to everyday scenarios and systems. The unit also explores the origins of the universe and analyses evidence for the Big Bang theory compared to the Model of Creation. The term concludes with an end-of-unit exam to assess students’ understanding of key physics and astronomy concepts.

In Term 3, students delve into Chemistry, studying the structure of matter through the study of atoms and the periodic table. They explore how atomic structure determines the properties of elements and how this knowledge is used to predict chemical behaviour. The unit also covers different types of chemical reactions and investigates the factors that influence reaction rates. Students will conduct an experimental investigation to explore how variables such as temperature, concentration, and surface area affect the speed of reactions, applying scientific method and analytical skills in a practical context.

The final term focuses on Earth Science, introducing students to energy flow through Earth’s spheres—biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere—gaining insight into the interconnected systems that sustain life. They explore natural and human impacts on the climate and analyse climate data. The term concludes with an end-of-unit exam to consolidate their learning.

Essential Equipment

Assessment

Unit 1	Unit 2	Unit 3	Unit 4
Summative
End of unit exam: Biology	End of unit exam: Physics & Astronomy	Experimental Investigation: Chemistry	End of unit exam: Earth Science

Intensives

Teacher

Cherie Csikos

Senior Secondary Science

QCAA Courses

"I had a lot of fun in Science this year. Ms Csikos made the lessons enjoyable and engaging. She explained everything clearly and thoroughly, always making sure we understood before she went ahead to the next topic. The frequent quizzes and short revisions made it easy to remember information, and I’ll definitely miss her as my Science teacher." - Audrielle R

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