Agricultural Scientist, Cellar door Manager, Farmer, Farm Hand, Food Technologist, Horticulturalist, Park Ranger, Sommelier, Viticulturist, Wine Maker, Biologist
In this unit students develop an understanding of scientific and technological theory and skills used in Agricultural and Horticultural production systems. They apply a number of biology, chemistry, ecology and geology concepts in order to develop an understanding of various farming practices. Students develop an understanding of the importance of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in living things, as well as various natural adaptations that organisms have for these processes to occur effectively. They begin to develop an understanding of how these and other biological processes inform management strategies in plant and animal production. Students also apply their understanding as they learn the theory behind viticulture and wine making. They focus on understanding the basics of carbon chemistry and consider the nitrogen and carbon cycles. They explore soil chemistry and look at how it relates to the quality of pastures. Students also learn about plant and animal genetics, including the ideas of selective breeding and inheritance. They apply their knowledge by taking part in various stages of winemaking and participating in production of plants, maintenance of the vineyard, orchard and the animal systems within the school.
This unit uses a mix of theory and practical activities to develop an understanding of sustainable production practices. While completing the unit students will also undertake an independent student lead investigation and use a variety of instruments to record and graph data in order to identify trends and patterns, form hypotheses and design experiments to test these hypotheses.
Learning Standards:
SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING
- Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
- Different types of chemical reactions are used to produce a range of products and can occur at different rates; chemical reactions may be represented by balanced chemical equations
- Chemical reactions, including combustion and the reactions of acids, are important in both non-living and living systems and involve energy transfer
- Multicellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment
- An animal’s response to a stimulus is coordinated by its central nervous system (brain and spinal cord); neurons transmit electrical impulses and are connected by synapses
- The transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes
- The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence
- Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems
- Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community
- Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries
- The values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research
SCIENCE INQUIRY SKILLS
- Students develop questions and hypotheses that can be investigated, design and improve appropriate methods of investigation and collect data using various methods
- They explain how they have considered reliability, precision, safety, fairness and ethics in their methods
- They analyse trends in data, explain relationships between variables and identify sources of error.
- Students evaluate the validity and reliability of claims made in secondary sources with reference to currently held scientific views, the quality of the methodology and the evidence cited
- They construct evidence-based arguments and use appropriate scientific language and representations
ASSESSMENT
Assessment across the semester will include a range of tasks such as:
- Practical Investigations
- Topic Tests
- Extended Research Task
- Examination
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