The Science program at Challis CPS is taught as a Specialist subject. Students receive an hour of Science learning each week based on the WA science curriculum and incorporates the Primary Connections framework. The 3 strands of the Science curriculum which are Science Understanding, Science Inquiry Skills and Science as a Human Endeavour are delivered to students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 through highly engaging, interactive and hands on activities. Science skills and concepts are taught explicitly and reinforced through practical investigations at every lesson. Incursions are organised to consolidate and reinforce learning.

Science week was celebrated across the school with a myriad of activities. This year’s theme was Glass: More than meets the eye. Students learned about how glass is made and interesting facts about glass. Classes were paired up and worked on science projects across a list of themes. The projects were presented digitally, through dioramas and posters which were displayed in the library. All classes did a gallery walk to view the work presented by other students. Students from Pre-primary to Year 2 participated in hands on science activities and incursions were run by Cecil Andrews College and Armadale High school for Years 4-6. An incursion by Western Power also took place in Science week.

During this year’s parents and students evening, students were invited to participate in 2 investigations. Following the steps of the scientific method, students placed ‘mentos’ in different types of coca cola and observed the physical reaction that occurred. They mixed vinegar and bicarbonate soda in Ziplock bags and watched as they created explosions which simulated what happens in volcanic eruptions. Seven investigation stations that covered physics, chemistry and biology were set up in the undercover area and there was high participation and engagement from parents and students.

National Water Week was celebrated with students increasing their awareness of water being a precious resource and ways to save it. A junior assembly was conducted with the focus on the water cycle and how we can save water. Classes participated in a plethora of water related investigations.

PAT Science testing has been conducted for Years 3 to 6 since 2020. The data from the 2022 results will inform planning, improvements, and target settings in 2023.

The school purchased the Science Teaching Assessment and Recording Tracker (START) software in 2021. In 2022, we referred to the program to track the progress of students in their inquiry skills and science understanding. The Science Team will be looking further into using the collected data to enhance student performance in 2023.