The Goals of the Science Program
Achievement of both excellence and equity underlies the three major goals of the secondary science program. The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: Science, 2008 therefore outlines not only the skills and knowledge that students are expected to develop but also the attitudes that they will need to develop in order to use their knowledge and skills responsibly. The three goals of the science program are as follows:
- to relate science to technology, society, and the environment
- to develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry
- to understand the basic concepts of science
Every course in the secondary science program focuses on these three goals. The goals are reflected within each strand of every course in the three overall expectations, which in turn are developed in corresponding sets of related specific expectations. The same three goals also underlie assessment of student achievement in science.
The Prerequisite Chart
when planning your pathway through our science programming please refer to the prequisite chart from our curriculum document.
Opportunities and Contests
Biology
- National Biology Competition aims to provide all high school students with an opportunity to test their knowledge and understanding of biology. We encourage participation of younger students, especially those in Grade 11.
- The Top 5% of students in Canadian schools will receive certificates designating them as National Biology Scholars; the Top 1% as National Biology Scholars with Distinction. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 1%.
- The Top 5% of students in schools outside of Canada will receive certificates designating them as International Biology Scholars; the Top 1% as International Biology Scholars with Distinction. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 1
Admission scholarships, valued at $3,000, will be awarded to the top 15 students (of all participants) in the 2016 competition to register in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto (St. George).
Chemistry
- Avogadro’s Exam will cover material that a well-read junior high school chemistry student is likely to have come across in the course of studies. Students may expect to find a few probing and demanding questions on some of the main topics of high school chemistry. Prizes and/or certificates are given to the top students whose exam performance is best.
- Canadian Chemistry Contest. Is chemistry one of your strengths? Then test your skills and measure yourself against fellow students who share the same passion. The Canadian Chemistry Contest (CCC) is carried out in conjunction with the Canadian Chemistry Olympiad (CCO). The Canadian Chemistry Contest is for high school and Cégep students. $450, $200, and $100 prizes may be awarded to winners.
- Chem 13 News Exam will cover material that a well-read senior high school chemistry student is likely to have come across in the course of studies. Students may expect to find a few probing and demanding questions on some of the main topics of high school chemistry. Prizes and/or certificates are given to the top students whose exam performance is best, whether or not they are planning to go to a university.
- Chem 13 New Periodic Table Project. To celebrate the International Year of Chemistry (IYC), Chem 13 News magazine together with the University of Waterloo's Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Science encouraged chemistry educators and enthusiasts worldwide to adopt an element and artistically interpret that element. The project created a periodic table as a mosaic of science and art.
Physics
- Ontario Association of Physics Teacher's Grade 11 Physics Contest is sponsored by the University of Toronto – Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty. Special thanks to Ali Sheikholeslami and Jack Sun of the Rogers Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The online version is free for all participating secondary schools. A paper version of the contest is also available. Could win a 3-6 week astronomy internship at York University, a week at the DEEP Summer Academy at UofT, a week at Western University's Engineering Summer Academy or tickets to Canada's Wonderland.
- Sir Isaac Newton Physics Exam is a test of high school physics and is offered by the Department of Physics at the University of Waterloo to encourage the teaching of physics. The exam, although aimed at competent students, is meant to be refreshing and fun. Certificates are awarded to the top students whose exam performance is best, whether or not they are planning to go to a university.
General/Mixed Disciplines
- Youth Science Canada. Explore regional science fair opportunities local to you!
Resources
Online Textbook Logins
- Pearson eText - Grade 9 and 10 Academic Stream courses have access to their Pearson Textbooks online! (i.e. SNC1D, SNC2D). Access codes will be made available in class time.
- My Nelson - Grade 11 and 12 University Preparation courses have access to their Nelson Textbooks online! (i.e. SBI3U, SCH3U, SBI4U, SCH4U). Access codes will be made available in class time.