Cerdon College aims to provide a student centered, dynamic and contextual science education.
High school science is characterised by a strong practical approach. The students are involved in conducting experiments that may be directed or open-ended for a significant part of their time. Even in conceptual topics like Astronomy, the recommended approach is an activity based one. This methodology facilitates learning and helps to maintain interest.
We strive to produce students who have a positive attitude to Science and are science literate to enable them to understand and contribute to the debate on the complexities of current science related issues.
Co curricular activities that have been promoted and offered across years include:
Science Competition, Chemistry Competition, Science Week celebrations, Crest Awards, Science Olympiad and Streamwatch.

Year 7 Science starts with an introductory topic that introduces the students to the equipment and safety issues they will encounter in the practice of Science, and how to record their observations as a practical report.

Other topics during the year include:

• Living things and their Classification
• Sydney Water
• Keeping Cool (States of Matter),
• Astronomy
• Energy

Our dynamic programmes are complimented by the Science focus text book series for year 7 to 10.

Research projects are a feature of the NSW Science syllabus. At Cerdon we choose to do a group practical investigation within the context of Consumer science and product testing to fulfill this requirement in stage 4.

Other areas of studies include:

• Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
• Cells and Reproduction
• Forces
• Machines
• Plants
• You are what you Eat
• Natural Resources

In stage 5 the students have an opportunity to extend their practical research skills in an investigation of their choice which focuses on the elements of experimental design. Some group projects have included:

• investigating the growth rate of plants under different coloured light
• how the performance of a squash ball varies as the temperature of the ball changes
• investigating sound insulators
• designing an effective bubble mix

This project leads to entries being submitted for consideration in the STANSW Young Scientist Award.

Other areas of study include:

• Waves and Light
• Ecology
• Natural events
• The Universe
• Body Systems
• Little Beasties
• All about Atoms.

Science enrichment is offered as part of the Year 9 course to cater for gifted and talented students and Year 9 science students are also encouraged to participate in the Seimens Science Programme which is sponsored by Rotary.

In year 10 the students work individually on a library research project on an issue in Science of their choice. The students enjoy this topic and gain valuable research and presentation skills which equip them well for stage 6 tasks of this nature. Other areas of study include:

• Sour Chemistry
• Electricity
• Motion
• Genetics
• Forensic Science

Stage 6 options that are offered include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science and Senior Science and are run based on demand. The National Youth  Science forum is  promoted for exceptional Year 11 students as well as the Science Olympiad programme.

Physics

Physics is a 2 unit course offered in Year 11 and 12. The teaching program in Year 11 includes a car safety experiment to save Mr Egg Head and an excursion to Luna Park to experience and study weightlessness. The Year 12 teaching program includes magnetic levitation practical using liquid Nitrogen and a possible visit to ANSTO to learn about the latest synchrotrons.

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of:

• The World Communicates
• Electrical Energy in the Home
• Moving About
• The Cosmic Engine

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. The Preliminary course content is a prerequisite for the HSC course. The core includes:

• Space
• Motors and Generators
• From Ideas to Implementation

Options may include any ONE of the following:

• Geophysics
• Medical Physics
• Astrophysics
• From Quanta to Quarks
• The Age of Silicon

Senior Science

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of:

• Water for Living
• Plants
• Humans at Work
• The Local Environment

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. The HSC course incorporates the study of:

• Lifestyle Chemistry
• Medical Technology — Bionics
• Information Systems

The option may comprise any ONE of the following:

• Polymers
• Preservatives and Additives
• Pharmaceuticals
• Disasters
• Space Science.

Earth and Environmental Science

Earth and Environment Science is a 2 unit course offered to Year 11 and 12. The course involves a three day trip to Orange to study the fossils and water recycling plant, an excursion to Long Reef to study different ecosystems and the rock platform at Narrabeen. 

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of:

• Planet Earth and Its Environment – A Five Thousand Million Year Journey
• The Local Environment
• Water Issues
• Dynamic Earth

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. The HSC course incorporates the study of:

• Tectonic Impacts
• Environments Through Time
• Caring for the Country

ONE option may comprise any one of the following:

• Introduced Species and the Australian Environment
• Organic Geology – A Non-renewable Resource
• Mining and the Australian Environment
• Oceanography.

Chemistry

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of:

• The chemical earth
• Metals
• Water
• Energy

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. The HSC course incorporates the study of:

• The acidic environment
• Production of materials
• Chemical Monitoring and Management

ONE option may comprise any one of the following:

• Forensic Chemistry
• Shipwrecks and Salvage
• Industrial Chemistry
• The biochemistry of movement
• Chemistry of art

Biology

Biology is another popular science course run in stage 6. It involves practical experiences in class as well as field trips and excursions.

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of:

• The Local Ecosystem
• Patterns in Nature
• Life on Earth
• Evolution of Australian Biota.

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. The HSC course incorporates the study of:

• Maintaining the Balance
• Blueprint for Life
• The search for a Better Health with one elective

ONE option may comprise any one of the following:

• The Human Story
• Communication
• Biotechnology
• Genetics: The code broken?
• Biochemistry