Science of our Brain
- Learning Area:
- Science
- Year(s):
- 2021 - 2022
- Approx Cost:
- An optional overnight trip if students make it to round two of the brainbee competition.
- Technology Requirements:
- A laptop is essential for this course
- Entry Recommendations:
Students should have enjoyed Year 10 Science and have strong interest in science & biology. Students intending to take Year 12 science will need to include 2 additional science courses in their learning program.
- Course Outline:
Explore the science of the brain! This course will involve:
- Learning about brain development and key areas of the nervous system.
- Discovering how the brain controls our senses, perceptions and memory.
- Investigating brain disorders and the effects of sleep and aging on the brain.
- As part of the course students will apply their learning by competing in round 1 of the worldwide neuroscience competition 'Brain bee'. Selected members of the class will also have the opportunity to travel to Dunedin for further stages of the competition.
Please note this is a non-NCEA course that does not offer credits. It is intended as a supplementary course for those wanting to further their scientific learning in the area of neuroscience.
- Where Does It Lead:
Together with other science courses, 11SCB will help build a strong foundation of biological understanding and could lead to studying senior Biology at Lincoln High School. Relevant careers could include; Biological science, Medicine, Research and Development, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Psychology. Students who are looking at careers in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields are recommended to consider taking more than two semesters of science such as 11BIO, 11CHE, 11PHY, 11AHS, 11SCB, 11AMS or 11FSC. For NCEA Level 2 Speciality Sciences, a total of 8 Science credits are recommended with 4 credits of those being at least Merit level in the specialty subject area.
- For further information see:
- Mrs Milne
In Year 9 students start the first year of their two year junior programme. Year 9 consists of two semesters (half year-long) with a combination of compulsory courses and option courses chosen by the students.
In Year 9 students will take 12 semester (half-year) courses that include:
a) Compulsory Courses - 2 semesters of Health & PE, Mathematics, Science, and one Semester of English and Social Studies. (the reverse happens in Year 10, the second year of the junior programme).
b) Option Courses - Four semesters of option courses (note: students choose 5 option courses in Year 10, the second year of the junior programme).
Year 10 students study five compulsory courses (English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science and Social Sciences) and six semester (half year) options (see individual course details). You can choose to do one semester course from a subject area eg: Drama - Part 1 or take two semester courses from a subject area, which is equivalent to a whole year course eg: Drama Part - 1 and Drama - Part 2. Pathways for all course at all levels are summarised on the Course Planning Chart.
A few Year 10 semester two courses require you to complete semester one first, before doing semester two.
Students won't be gaining Level 1 NCEA in Year 11. There will be up to one internal NCEA assessment per semester course, giving students the opportunity to gain approximately 45 credits but not the 80 needed for Level 1 NCEA. Some assessments maybe at Level 2 NCEA. These internal assessments will expose students to the way different subject areas assess NCEA in preparation for Year 12 and the completion of Level 2 NCEA.
Year 12 students study six year-long courses (see individual course details and Course Planning Chart). There are no compulsory courses, however, English and Mathematics are strongly recommended.
Students have the option of studying five courses. In such cases, students will be placed in the Independent Learning Project (ILP001) course, in addition to their five courses, so that they can be mentored and have their progress monitored.
Year 13 students study five year-long courses (see individual course details and Course Planning Chart) and have an Independent Study (IST). A sixth course can be selected in place of IST. Students have the option of studying four courses. In such cases, students will be placed in the Independent Learning Project (ILP001) course, in addition to their four courses, so that they can be mentored and have their progress monitored.
For students that are intending to gain University Entrance it is strongly recommended that they select at least four University Entrance approved courses. Refer to individual course details to check if a course is a University Entrance approved subject
Year 13 (IST) is independent, unsupervised learning that can take place at school or at home. Students are responsible for managing their work during this time.