Level 1 General Science 2015
Welcome to Level 1 General Science for 2015 and well done for making the choice to complete this course.
You are also to be congratulated on the recommendation from your year 10 science teacher to be in
General Science based on your performance, both academic and attitudinal, in year 10 Science. Your
teachers for this year Ms Mora, Ms Johnson and Mr Easterbrook look forward to working with you this
year.
Introduction
General Science is a full year course, of five topics, that works towards gaining 20 Level One NCEA credits.
You are expected to attend class on a regular basis and complete all of the course and the associated
assessment tasks.
The Linwood College Science Learning Area website is an online learning environment that you will be
expected to visit to complete quizzes, contribute to forums, access resources and important notices. Save
this link on your home computer: http://tinyurl.com/LCSciencePage
In this course three of the standards are assessed internally (12 credits), the two remaining standards are
externally assessed (8 credits). You will need to gain 12 credits at Level 1 to be eligible for entry into a Level
2 Science course; including Science 1.2 for Level 2 Physics and Science 1.8 for Level 2 Chemistry.
Topics and Assessment (in order covered)
Rates of
Reaction
Chemical
Reactions
Achievement
Standard No.
90930v3 (Che 1.1)
Internal
90947v4 (Sci 1.8)
Internal
Electricity and
Magnetism
90941v3 (Sci 1.2)
Internal
Mechanics
90940v3 (Sci 1.1)
External
Genetic
Variation
90949v3 (Sci 1.9)
External
Topic
Assessment
Date
Description
Lit
Num
Credits
Carry out a practical chemistry
investigation
N
Y
4
Investigate chemical reactions
N
N
4
N
Y
4
Term 2 Week 11
(Summative)
N
Y
4
Term 3 Week 6
(Formative)
Y
N
4
Term 4 Week 2
(Formative)
Investigate implications of
electricity and magnetism for
everyday life
Demonstrate understanding of
aspects of mechanics
Demonstrate understanding of
biological ideas relating to
genetic variation
Term 1 Week 7
(Summative)
Term 2 Week 4
(Summative)
There will be reassessment opportunities for Chemistry 1.1 and 1.2 internal assessments. These will be
done during ‘Science Study’ time, therefore it is important that you follow instructions very carefully,
complete formative work and take on board any feedback from your teacher. The re-assessment must be
started and completed in a timely manner following the teaching of the topic.
For internal assessments, it is important that you are not given an unfair advantage over others by being
allowed to hand work in late or by submitting work which is not your own. NZQA Guidelines apply for all
assessments. It is important that you have a clear understanding of these. Refer to your ‘Student
Handbook’ and if you are unsure if any aspect talk with your teacher prior to completing any assessment.
There is only one assessment opportunity for external Achievement Standards. These are in late November
and will be examined by NZQA in an external exam. There will be practice assessment opportunities for
these external standards during the year in the form of quizzes, end of topic tests and school exams.
Homework:
Homework will be a combination of tasks set from the sciPad workbook, the website and other relevant
exercises assigned by your teacher. It is important that you complete these as they form an integral part of
your Science course. You should also spend time each week reviewing your work so that you are
adequately prepared for tests. Tests and school exams are important opportunities to clarify your
understanding of concepts as well as practise writing clear, accurate, detailed responses.
If at any stage you feel you are having difficulty coping with your work, please see your
teacher.
Stationary Requirements:
To ensure that you can access all your course work during the year, particularly for the external standards,
all your notes and exercises are to be completed in a 1B8 Hardcover exercise book. It is essential that work
for internal standards is organised following the guidelines provided by your teacher. You will be provided
with folders to store all assessment materials. This body of work will be referred to as a science ‘portfolio’
and will be used for authenticity purposes.
You will be issued with a write on workbook ‘sciPAD Level 1 Science’ at a cost of $15. You will need to bring
this workbook to class each day and it will be used at home for homework. Please take good care of it as it
is a valuable resource used throughout the year and for the final NCEA exams.
Student Obligations:

Ensure you have a clear understanding of the Level 1 General Science assessment programme and
policy.

Standard laboratory safety procedures MUST be followed at all times.

Ensure you understand the requirements of each assessment being completed

Check thoroughly the accuracy of the assessment by your teacher when work is returned.

Discuss problems/concerns with your teacher /HOLA Science
Have an enjoyable year.