General Science

By studying science, students:

• develop an understanding of the world, built on current scientific theories
• learn that science involves particular processes and ways of developing and organizing knowledge and that these continue to evolve
• use their current scientific knowledge and skills for problem solving and developing further knowledge
• use scientific knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the communication, application, and implications of science as these relate to their own lives and cultures and to the sustainability of the environment.

Students learn science through the following strands:

• The Nature of Science strand is the overarching, unifying strand. Through it, students learn what science is and how scientists work. They develop the skills, attitudes, and values to build a foundation for understanding the world.

• The Living World strand is about living things and how they interact with each other and the environment. The emphasis is on the biology of New Zealand, including the sustainability of New Zealand’s unique fauna and flora and distinctive ecosystems.
• The Material World strand involves the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Such knowledge allows students to understand science-related challenges, such as environmental sustainability and the development of new materials, pharmaceuticals, and sources of energy.

• The Planet Earth and Beyond strand is about the interconnecting systems and processes of the Earth, the other parts of the solar system, and the universe beyond.

• The Physical World strand provides explanations for a wide range of physical phenomena, including light, sound, heat, electricity, magnetism, waves, forces, motion, and energy.