Science
Hurlstone’s Science Faculty inspires curiosity, innovation, and academic excellence, empowering students to explore, experiment, and lead in shaping the scientific world of tomorrow.
Science at Hurlstone Agricultural High School challenges students to think critically, question deeply, and explore the world through curiosity, evidence, and innovation. Hurlstone’s Science Faculty provides a rigorous and inspiring program that empowers students to master scientific concepts while developing the analytical and practical skills essential for future success. Through inquiry-based learning, laboratory experimentation, and exposure to emerging technologies, students engage with real-world problems that connect classroom theory to global challenges. Our passionate and highly qualified teachers nurture intellectual independence and scientific literacy, preparing students to excel in senior study, research, and high-demand fields such as medicine, engineering, and environmental science. At Hurlstone, Science is not just a subject. It is a pathway to discovery, leadership, and excellence in a rapidly changing world.
Teaching and Learning
Below you’ll find an overview of the Science units studied from Year 7 to Year 12, showcasing how students build knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience across plant, animal, and agricultural systems.
Year 7 Science
In Year 7 Science, students begin their journey as young scientists by exploring the processes, patterns, and principles that explain the world and universe around them. The year begins with Observing the Universe, where students learn to think and act like scientists by asking questions, making observations, and using evidence to uncover how natural phenomena work. In Forces, they investigate the invisible interactions that shape motion and energy, applying this understanding to real-world contexts and everyday technologies. Cells and Classification introduces the structure and diversity of life, as students use microscopes and classification systems to understand how all living things are connected through shared biological foundations. The year concludes with Solutions and Mixtures, where students experiment with matter and its properties, learning how scientific inquiry leads to discovery and innovation. Across the year, students are challenged to think critically, reason logically, and work experimentally. Across the year, students develop the skills, discipline, and curiosity that set the foundation for high achievement in the sciences and future pathways in medicine, engineering, and research.
Observing the Universe
In this unit, students are introduced to the nature and practice of Science as a way of questioning, investigating, and understanding the world and universe around them. They learn how scientists make careful observations, collect evidence, and build knowledge through experimentation and critical thinking. By exploring phenomena both familiar and vast (from everyday materials to the mysteries of space) students develop curiosity, creativity, and confidence in using scientific tools and technologies. Observing the Universe lays the foundation for scientific inquiry at Hurlstone, encouraging students to think like scientists: to ask bold questions, seek evidence, and discover how observation and wonder lead to innovation and understanding.
Forces
In this unit, students investigate how forces shape the way objects move and interact, exploring both visible and invisible influences such as gravity, magnetism, and electrostatic forces. They learn to represent and analyse these interactions through force diagrams and experiments, deepening their understanding of how energy and motion are connected. Through hands-on inquiry, students examine how simple machines harness and apply force to make everyday tasks more efficient. Forces encourages students to think critically and creatively about the physical world, building problem-solving skills and scientific reasoning that form the basis for future study in physics, engineering, and applied sciences.
Cells and Classification
In this unit, students explore the building blocks of life and the systems scientists use to understand the diversity of living organisms. They investigate how classification keys and taxonomic systems help identify and describe species, revealing patterns and relationships across the natural world. Through microscopic study, students examine the specialised structures and functions of cells and organelles, discovering how these tiny units work together to sustain life in multicellular organisms. Cells and Classification nurtures curiosity about the living world while developing precision, observation, and analytical thinking. These essential skills prepare students for future study in biology, genetics, and medical science.
Solutions and Mixtures
In this unit, students explore the fundamental properties of matter by investigating solids, liquids, and gases — with a special focus on the unique behaviour of water. They learn to distinguish between atoms, compounds, and mixtures, deepening their understanding of how substances combine and interact. Through practical experiments, students discover how mixtures can be separated using physical processes such as filtration, evaporation, and distillation. Solutions and Mixtures builds foundational knowledge in chemistry while fostering precision, curiosity, and problem-solving, inspiring students to see how scientific understanding of matter connects to innovation in fields such as materials science, environmental studies, and medicine.
Year 8
Throughout Year 8, students deepen their scientific understanding by exploring the interconnected systems that power, shape, and sustain life on Earth. They begin by investigating the Physical World, where they learn how energy exists in different forms and how efficiency and innovation drive global sustainability. This foundation leads into the Earth and Space unit, where students examine the natural processes and cycles that influence resource management and environmental decision-making. Building on this, the Living World unit invites students to explore the complexity of plant and body systems, uncovering how scientific evidence reshapes our understanding of life and guides sustainable ecosystems. The year concludes with the Chemical World, where students investigate the elements and atomic structures that underpin all matter and modern technology. Together, these studies equip Hurlstone students with a holistic understanding of science, connecting curiosity with purpose, and inspiring future pathways in research, engineering, medicine, and environmental innovation.
Physical World (Energy and Energy Efficiency)
In this unit, students investigate the nature of energy, how it exists, moves, and transforms to power the world around us. They explore the different forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, heat, and light, and examine how energy is transferred through systems in both natural and engineered environments. Through inquiry and experimentation, students analyse how technological developments have improved energy efficiency and provided solutions to global challenges such as climate change and resource sustainability. They also consider the ethical and societal impacts of energy use, learning how science informs responsible decision-making about the future of energy production and consumption. By exploring energy in motion and transformation, Hurlstone students strengthen the analytical skills and scientific curiosity that underpin future careers in engineering, environmental science, and sustainable technology.
Earth and Space
In this unit, students examine the dynamic systems that shape our planet, from the forces acting deep within the Earth to the natural cycles that sustain life on its surface. They explore how scientific understanding of geological, atmospheric, and oceanic processes guides human decision-making about resource use, environmental management, and sustainability. Students investigate how science informs industries such as agriculture, mining, and marine resource management, learning to analyse the balance between human activity and the preservation of natural systems. Through their first-hand investigation, students design and conduct experiments that connect Earth processes to real-world issues, preparing them for their Depth Study Task in Term 3 and building confidence as independent scientific thinkers. By exploring the interconnections between Earth’s systems and human innovation, Hurlstone students develop the critical insight and environmental awareness essential for future leaders in science, agriculture, and sustainability.
Living World (Plant and Body Systems)
In this unit, students explore the remarkable complexity of living organisms, investigating how specialised organ systems work together to sustain life. They learn how multicellular plants and animals rely on coordinated systems, such as transport, respiratory, and reproductive systems, to maintain balance, respond to their environment, and ensure survival. Through practical investigations and model-based learning, students examine how new biological evidence has transformed our understanding of the natural world, from the discovery of cells to modern breakthroughs in genetics, medicine, and ecology. They analyse how science and technology contribute to conserving biodiversity and managing sustainable ecosystems, connecting classroom learning to global issues such as climate resilience and food security. By uncovering the intricate systems that sustain life, Hurlstone students deepen their biological literacy and lay the groundwork for future pathways in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental research.
Chemical World (Elements and Atoms)
In this unit, students delve into the building blocks of matter, exploring how elements combine to form compounds and mixtures that make up everything in the world around us. They investigate how scientific discoveries and technological advancements have shaped our understanding of the atom, from early models of matter to modern theories explaining chemical structure and behaviour. Through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning, students observe the signs of chemical change and examine how new substances with unique properties are created. They connect these processes to real-world applications, considering how chemistry underpins innovations in materials, medicine, and sustainable technology that improve everyday life. By exploring the elements that form our world, Hurlstone students cultivate a deep understanding of chemical systems and the curiosity that drives future discovery in science, engineering, and medical research.
Year 9
Throughout Year 9, students extend their scientific thinking through a sequence of studies that connect energy, life, matter, and evolution — revealing the patterns and principles that underpin the natural and technological world. They begin with Energy, exploring how transformations and efficiency shape both natural systems and human innovation. In Disease, students examine the biological and social dimensions of health, understanding how science protects and sustains life through prevention, treatment, and discovery. The Materials unit then deepens their understanding of chemistry, as students investigate how atomic structure and bonding determine the properties and sustainability of the materials that define modern living. The year concludes with Genetics and Evolutionary Change, where students explore heredity, biodiversity, and the evolving nature of scientific knowledge that explains life’s diversity on Earth. Together, these studies challenge Hurlstone students to connect scientific knowledge with ethical awareness and global responsibility, cultivating the curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation that define future leaders in science, technology, and medicine.
Energy
In this unit, students deepen their understanding of energy as a fundamental concept that drives both natural processes and human innovation. They explore the various forms of energy and how it is transformed and transferred in accordance with the law of conservation of energy. Through hands-on experiments, students investigate electrical circuits, apply Ohm’s Law, and analyse data to evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability. They critically compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources, considering the environmental, technological, and ethical implications of each. Energy challenges students to think scientifically and responsibly about the role of energy in shaping the modern world, preparing them to contribute to the global pursuit of cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable energy solutions.
Disease
In this unit, students explore the science of disease, understanding how the human body defends itself against infectious and non-infectious illnesses. They investigate the causes, transmission, and prevention of diseases, linking this knowledge to the body systems that coordinate immune responses and maintain health. By analysing real-world data on disease occurrence, students identify patterns, trends, and relationships that inform scientific and medical decision-making. Through case studies and inquiry-based learning, they also examine the social and technological advances that have transformed global health. Disease empowers students to think critically about how science protects and improves lives, laying the groundwork for future studies in biology, health science, and medicine.
Materials
In this unit, students explore the idea that all matter in the universe is made up of tiny particles, investigating how chemical bonding shapes the materials we use and depend on every day. Through hands-on inquiry and critical analysis, they examine the properties and environmental impacts of materials derived from Australia’s natural resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons, and polymers. Students delve into the principles of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding, learning how electrons determine strength, conductivity, and reactivity. They also evaluate the sustainability of material use, from ancient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resource practices to modern issues such as microplastic pollution and biodegradable packaging. Materials challenges students to apply chemistry to global and environmental contexts, inspiring them to think like scientists and innovators as they explore the future of sustainable materials and their potential in engineering, technology, and medical science.
Genetics and Evolutionary Change
In this unit, students investigate the principles of heredity and the mechanisms that drive biological diversity. They explore how genetic information is passed from one generation to the next through DNA, genes, and chromosomes, and how variations arise through mutation and recombination. By examining patterns of inheritance, students learn how scientists use genetic evidence to explain the relationships between organisms and the evolutionary processes that shape life on Earth. Through modelling, data analysis, and case studies, students consider how scientific understanding of genetics and evolution continues to evolve with advances in biotechnology. They examine the ethical and social dimensions of genetic research (from medical applications and selective breeding to conservation and biodiversity) developing the critical awareness to evaluate how science shapes society and the future of life on our planet. By tracing the story of life from its molecular origins to the diversity of species today, Hurlstone students cultivate the analytical insight and ethical understanding that underpin future studies in genetics, medicine, and biological research.
Year 10
Throughout Year 10, students apply and extend their scientific understanding across the chemical, physical, biological, and Earth sciences, building the conceptual depth and practical skill required for senior study. They begin with Chemical World, exploring the reactions and transformations that underpin both living systems and modern materials. In Earth and Space, students trace the development of scientific models that explain the Earth’s structure and dynamic systems, learning how evidence shapes sustainable management of natural resources. The Living World unit deepens their understanding of genetics and inheritance, revealing how DNA, environment, and technology combine to influence life on Earth. The year concludes with Physical World, where students investigate the fundamental principles of energy, motion, and electricity, connecting theoretical laws to the technologies that power human progress. Together, these studies consolidate Hurlstone students’ scientific reasoning, experimental precision, and ethical awareness, preparing them to lead with curiosity, insight, and innovation in the sciences of the future.
Chemical World
In this unit, students explore the dynamic nature of chemical reactions, from the processes that occur in the kitchen or the human body to the industrial reactions that sustain modern life. They investigate how substances combine and change, examining these transformations on both a macroscopic and atomic level to understand how the invisible world of particles shapes the tangible world around us. Through practical experimentation and research, students study a range of chemical reactions including combustion, corrosion, and acid-base interactions, linking them to real-world examples in living systems and environmental contexts. They also examine how scientific innovation drives the development of new materials such as plastics, considering their applications, environmental impact, and ethical use. Along the way, students refine their ability to write chemical formulae, balance equations, and analyse data. These core skills underpin advanced study in chemistry and the sciences. By uncovering how substances transform and interact, Hurlstone students build a deep understanding of the chemical principles that drive life, industry, and innovation in an ever-evolving world.
Earth and Space
In this unit, students trace humanity’s evolving understanding of the Earth, from early philosophical debate to the modern scientific models that explain our planet’s structure and dynamic systems. They examine how evidence from mining, seismology, and plate tectonics revealed the layered nature of the Earth and explained key geological phenomena such as subduction, continental drift, and mid-ocean ridge formation. Students also explore how interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere have shaped the Earth over time. They analyse how advances in technology and scientific inquiry have deepened our understanding of these systems, while recognising that many processes remain the focus of contemporary research. Through inquiry and discussion, students consider how scientific knowledge informs responsible and sustainable management of Earth’s natural resources. By exploring the evidence that reveals our planet’s history and structure, Hurlstone students develop the scientific perspective and environmental awareness essential for future study and leadership in Earth and environmental sciences.
Living World
In this unit, students explore the intricate relationship between heredity and environment, uncovering how both DNA and external factors shape the traits, behaviours, and diversity of living organisms. They examine the structure and function of DNA as the molecule of inheritance, a biological “instruction manual” that determines how organisms grow, function, and adapt. Students investigate how scientific discoveries, from Mendel’s early experiments with pea plants to the modelling of DNA by Watson and Crick, revolutionised our understanding of genetics. They explore how modern research in gene technology, biotechnology, and genetic engineering continues to raise new scientific, ethical, and societal questions about the manipulation and preservation of life. Through inquiry and analysis, students consider how advancements in genetics contribute to medicine, agriculture, and conservation, while inspiring new frontiers in understanding the blueprint of life. By exploring the code that defines all living things, Hurlstone students cultivate the curiosity and scientific literacy essential for future discovery in medicine, genetics, and biotechnology.
Physical Worlds
In this unit, students apply scientific models, theories, and laws to explain the relationships between energy, force, and motion. They explore how energy is conserved, transferred, and transformed across systems, from the motion of objects to the flow of electricity and the transmission of sound and light as waves. Through practical investigations, students examine how these forms of energy create change, interact within systems, and power the technologies that shape modern life.
Students investigate how electricity enables communication and connectivity in everyday life, analysing how technological innovation has enhanced the efficiency, speed, and sustainability of energy use. They evaluate different methods of energy production and consider the global challenge of reducing energy waste, developing a scientific understanding that connects theory to real-world problem-solving. By exploring the forces and energies that drive the physical world, Hurlstone students build the analytical and investigative skills that underpin future studies in physics, engineering, and sustainable technology.
Preliminary HSC Courses
The Science Faculty delivers the following courses for the Preliminary HSC at our school:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Earth and Environmental Studies
Click here to access further information on our Science courses.
HSC Courses
The Science Faculty delivers the following courses for the HSC at our school:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Earth and Environmental Studies
- Investigating Science
- Science Extension
Click here to access further information on our Science courses.
Support for High Potential Learners
The Science Faculty at Hurlstone nurtures and extends students with high potential in scientific reasoning, innovation, and problem-solving. Through advanced practical investigations, enrichment projects, and opportunities for research, competition, and leadership, these learners are challenged to think analytically, design creatively, and apply scientific concepts to complex real-world contexts. Differentiated pathways and personalised feedback ensure that every student is both supported and extended to achieve excellence across the sciences. If your child shows high potential in science, technology, or engineering, contact us to learn how our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) programs can inspire them to reach the forefront of discovery and innovation.
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