Mathematics STEM Pathway for Stage 5 Scope and Sequence
Content has been selected from within existing Stage 4 and 5 Outcomes for its contribution to ongoing learning for ‘traditional 5.1’ students. Some
Content has been excluded. A significant number of Content ‘dot points’ are compacted. Content is combined in a way intended to improve
students’ mathematical ‘fluency’ and develop connections between the Mathematics and real-world applications.
Unit
1
Tools of
the Trade
Description
Outcomes
addressed
Duration
Increase student self-awareness as daily, successful users of maths.
MA4-2WM
10 weeks
Present formulae as efficient tools to make work easier and more reliable.
MA4-4NA
Demonstrate STEM connections to VET courses.

2
Build
Make
Create
Students develop their own idea for an improvement to their school’s environment into a model
which is refined each time they learn a new maths skill. This allows them to see their ability to
refine and share their ideas increasing as they develop the mathematical skills to be precise
about measurement, scale and location. Students combine mathematical skills to solve realworld STEM problems.

3
Money
Matters
Teaching and learning resource: Tools of the Trade sample program
Teaching and learning resource: Build Make Create sample program
Media reports about employment, average salary, inflation and housing costs can be disturbing
to young people unsure of how they are going to ‘make a living’. Empower students by
developing their understanding of statistical and financial information. Contribute to student
confidence about entering the workforce by developing their understanding of rates of pay,
employee rights and responsibilities (such as working hours, conditions and tax). Increase
student awareness of STEM-related VET careers.

MA4-8NA
MA5.1-9MG
MA4-7NA
15 weeks
MA4-16MG
MA5.1-8MG
MA5.110MG
MA5.1-11MG
MA4-7NA
15 weeks
MA5.1-4NA
MA5.1-12SP
Teaching and learning resource: Money Matters sample program
© NSW Education Standards Authority
Sample scope and sequence Mathematics Stage 5 – STEM Pathway
Page 1 of 5
Unit
4
DecisionMakers
Description
Outcomes
addressed
Duration
Increase student ability to gather, sort and summarise information as part of the decision-making
process. Combine probability and data Content in order to make comparisons. Explore the role
of data in STEM research and development.
MA5.1-12SP
10 weeks

5
Note: the coordinate geometry components of this unit prepare students to fit trend-lines to data
in Stage 6.
6
Theme
Park
12 weeks
MA5.1-6NA
MA5.2-9NA
MA5.1-10MG
MA5.2-13MG
Teaching and learning resource: From Here to There sample program
Allow students to realise that technological and social advancements can be made in relative
safety due to the mathematics of describing curves, growth and change. From drug dosages to
financial investments, launching satellites to servicing roller-coasters, predicting populations and
their growing needs, STEM professionals refer to a set of trusted equations.

MA5.2-15SP
Teaching and learning resource: Decision-makers sample program
From Here Equip students to select relevant information from a diagram or written description and
to There
appropriate degrees of accuracy for practical situations. The science, technology and
engineering feats that allow modern flight provide context for the mathematics of location,
gradient and coordinate geometry.

MA5.1-13SP
12 weeks
MA5.1-7NA
MA5.2-4NA
MA5.2-10NA
Teaching and learning resource: Theme Park sample program
Several Stage 4 outcomes are included. All 5.1 outcomes and 5.2 outcomes described as ‘recommended minimum content for General
Mathematics Standard are included, with the exception of 5.1-5NA Indices.
Indices will be practised by students on the Mathematics STEM Pathway in the context of scientific notation, and area and volume formulae.
Rather than learn the index laws, these students will be encouraged to apply indices in practical contexts and use digital technologies to
evaluate terms expressed in index notation.
A scope and sequence is suggested. School timetables, access to resources and student diversity within the school will further inform how much
© NSW Education Standards Authority
Sample scope and sequence Mathematics Stage 5 – STEM Pathway
Page 2 of 5
time should be allocated to each unit. Students on this Pathway should be allowed a generous amount of time in which to develop their
mathematical skills and work on the STEM applications of these. School timetables, access to resources and student diversity within the school
will determine whether adjustments should be made to allocated times.
Year 9 Term 1
Week
1
2
3
4
Unit
Tools of the Trade
Outcomes
MA4-2WM, MA4-4NA, MA4-8NA, MA5.1-9MG
5
6
7
8
9
10
5
6
7
8
9
10
6
7
8
9
10
Year 9 Term 2
Week
1
2
3
4
Unit
Build Make Create
Outcomes
MA4-7NA, MA4-16MG, MA5.1-8MG, MA5.110MG, MA5.1-11MG
Year 9 Term 3
Week
1
2
Unit
Continue Build Make Create
Money Matters
Outcomes
MA4-7NA, MA4-16MG, MA5.1-8MG, MA5.110MG, MA5.1-11MG
MA4-7NA, MA5.1-4NA, MA5.1-12SP
© NSW Education Standards Authority
3
4
5
Sample scope and sequence Mathematics Stage 5 – STEM Pathway
Page 3 of 5
Year 9 Term 4
Week
1
2
3
Unit
Continue Money Matters
Outcomes
MA4-7NA, MA5.1-4NA, MA5.1-12SP
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Year 10 Term 1
Week
1
Unit
Decision- Makers
Outcomes
MA5.1-12SP, MA5.1-13SP, MA5.2-15SP
2
3
Year 10 Term 2
Week
1
2
Unit
From Here to There
Outcomes
MA5.1-6NA, MA5.2-9NA, MA5.1-10MG, MA5.2-13MG
© NSW Education Standards Authority
3
Sample scope and sequence Mathematics Stage 5 – STEM Pathway
Page 4 of 5
Year 10 Term 3
Week
1
2
3
4
5
Unit
Continue From Here to
There
Theme Park
Outcomes
MA5.1-6NA, MA5.2-9NA,
MA5.1-10MG, MA5.213MG
MA5.1-7NA, MA5.2-4NA, MA5.2-10NA
6
7
8
9
10
Year 10 Term 4
Week
1
2
3
4
Conclude Stage 5 with the option
most appropriate to student
selection of Stage 6 courses
5
6
7
8
9
10
Unit
Continue Theme Park
Prepare for Stage 6 Mathematics
Standard teaching and learning
Explicit revision and development of 5.2 Content in
consultation with teachers of the ‘regular’ Pathways
Outcomes
MA5.1-7NA, MA5.2-4NA, MA5.210NA
In depth STEM engagement
Students complete a project or competition selected in
consultation with the class and STEM advisors.
The final weeks of Year 10 has been reserved to meet the specific needs of classes before commencing Stage 6. Two suggested developments
are:


Prepare students for the teaching and learning style of the Year 11 Mathematics classroom, which may differ from that of the Mathematics
STEM classrooms.
 For students intending to enrol in Mathematics Standard: Select 5.1 and/or 5.2 Content for explicit revision and development in
consultation with teachers of the ‘regular’ 5.2 Pathway
Invite students to engage more deeply with STEM by participating in an extended project.
© NSW Education Standards Authority
Sample scope and sequence Mathematics Stage 5 – STEM Pathway
Page 5 of 5