Biology Department.

 

The Biology department oversees the delivery of modules throughout the lower school designed to give students a complete understanding of the living world around them, some of the interactions that take place within it and the effect that man is having on the environment.

 

Biology is delivered in the Lower School and Year 11 by the science department teachers as an integrated part of the science course. In Years 12 and 13 specialist teachers deliver units as part of both the NCEA syllabus and the International Baccalaureate. Emphasis is placed on a balance between theory and practical skills.

 

 

Junior Science:

 

Year 7 have been completing work on Koura and carrying out fieldwork investigating the ecosystem of Ross Creek.

In particular they have been looking at turbidity, conductivity and pH, then relating this to the distribution and abundance of Koura. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 8 can follow up this study as part of the Globe initiative looking at the hydrology of Ross Creek, expanding on the investigation started in Year 7. This also links to the EMAP initiative.

 

(www.southernencounter.co.nz/image_gallery/koura.jpg)

 

Year 9 and 10:

 

The students in Years 9 & 10 follow a prepared course of modules designed to prepare them for the external examinations that they will sit in Year 11. It is also used as an opportunity to introduce them to the broader topics covered in Biology, whilst giving an insight to the topics that will be covered in Years 12 & 13. These include plants, basic anatomy, digestion and reproduction.

 

 

 

Senior Science:

 

Year 11:

The main focus of Year 11 is preparing the students for both the internally assessed practical investigation and the end of year external examinations. The formally examined material covers the topics of micro-organisms and genetics, both the theory and everyday uses of these found in and around New Zealand. At present students do not sit any Unit Standards associated with Biology.

 

Years 12 & 13:

The students have a choice of following either the NCEA syllabus or the International Baccalaureate (IB). The students will be expected to complete fieldwork for both syllabi and in the case of the IB a Group 4 project focussing on team working skills and environmental impact. A much larger focus is placed on student led learning and development of practical skills which will make the transition to Tertiary education far easier.

 

Both sets of students will combine early in Year 12 to undertake a study of the Cockles at Warrington beach and a study on rocky shore ecology at St Clair.

 

 

The students following the IB syllabus are also required to complete the Group 4 project. This involves approximately 15 hours of practical work on a topic of their choice and presenting this to the class and supervisors. This counts towards the practical requirement for the IB. In the past this has been completed over two days at the Marine Studies Centre in Portobello, where we have been lucky enough to get the use of their educational laboratories, research vessels and assistance from PhD students.

 

International Baccalaureate Programme

 

Those students doing NCEA will complete the externally assessed, Assessment schedules on Cell Biology, Ecology and the Environment, Genetics, Plant Form and Function and Animal Form and Function, which are sat in the November of Year 12. Throughout the year all students are free to complete the internally assessed units on Investigating an Ecological Niche (fieldwork), a biological practical investigation and a research essay.

 

Year 13 students completing NCEA will return to the Marine Studies Centre to complete their internally assessed investigation in term 2 of year 13.

 

We currently have several senior students involved in the ‘Healthy Harbour Watchers’ initiative which is studying the long term health of Otago Harbour, looking at specific indicators such as nutrient levels and bacterial contamination.

 

Web Links:

 

Koura:   http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=33177

Globe:   http://www.globe.gov

EMAP:  http://emap.rsnz.org

Healthy harbour watchers:          http://healthyharbourwatchers.googlepages.com

Cell Biology:      http://www.cellsalive.com

Marine Studies Centre:   http://www.marine.ac.nz

TKI website for Information on Year 12 & 13 Biology: http://www.tki.org.nz/e/community/ncea/

 

Important Dates:

 

IB Examinations:           Internal Portfolio -   19th September

                                    Paper 1 & 2     -     17th November pm    Rm 203 ELC     

                                    Paper 3            -     18th November am    Rm 203 ELC

 

NCEA Level 1 Science                        -    20th November pm      

 

NCEA Level 2 Biology                        -      17th November pm    

 

NCEA Level 3 Biology                         -     17th November am