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Science
Chatswood High School's Science program offers the full range of HSC Science courses, an innovative 7 to 10 program and extensive extra-curricular activities.
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth & Environmental Science, Senior Science, Life-Skills Science and Marine Studies are all available to senior students at Chatswood High School. Students have traditionally achieved excellent results in all of these disciplines and many have gone on to pursue Science based degrees at university.
The Science Programs for Years 7 to 10 have been developed by the Chatswood High School Science Staff exclusively to suit the needs and interests of their students. A key feature of the programs is the incorporation of the Experimental Research Project to be carried out by each student each term. The area of research undertaken by the student should relate to the unit being studied that term. Experimental Research Projects are a mandatory part of the Science Syllabus for Stages 4 & 5 and constitute the major part of our Science KLA's homework requirements.
Science classes are organised in a number of ways to best suit the needs and learning styles of each individual student. In Year 7, a Gifted & Talented class operates, and programs have been specifically designed to suit their needs. For Years 8 to 10, students are given the opportunity to nominate the Science teacher of their choice in an attempt to match learning style with teaching style and thus maximise learning outcomes and foster a harmonious learning environment. Once again in the Year 2001, a 'Girls Only' class in Year 10 has been established to cater for their specific needs and hopefully encourage them to further their studies in Science in the senior years.
Over the years, Chatswood High School Science students have enjoyed great successes in both the Australasian Science Competition and the National Chemistry Quiz, with High Distinctions, Distinctions and Credits being regularly gained.
Chatswood High School, through the Science KLA, has also had a long involvement in Streamwatch, being involved annually in the Lane Cove River Catchment Day, the Autumn & Spring Water Bug Surveys and regular testing of its local catchment area at Ferndale Creek. Sydney Water and Willoughby City Council, both with their provision of material resources and the expertise of their personnel, have extensively supported these Streamwatch activities.
The propagation of native trees has also been a key activity within the Science KLA. Initially, Willoughby Rotary Club granted the shade house and the enclosed horticulture area to the school, and the 'Trees for Survival' program became a key element of both junior and senior programs. This tree propagation program has now been taken up with 'Greening Australia', Willoughby City Council and local Bush Regeneration groups and students learn much and gain great pleasure in providing trees to reforest Australia.