Year 9 Academic Enhancement Electives

Science Enhancement

In addition to its practical applications, learning science is a valuable pursuit in its own right. Students can experience the joy of scientific discovery and nurture their natural curiosity about the world around them. In doing this, they develop critical and creative thinking skills and challenge themselves to identify questions and draw evidence-based conclusions using scientific methods.  Within the Science Enhancement unit, students have the opportunity to extend their interest in a personally chosen area from the four key strands of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physics. Students will pose a ‘Big Question’ and use the Inquiry process to engage with their area of interest.

Humanities Enhancement

The Lakes recognises the importance of developing our students’ ability to be active global citizens. What better way to learn about our world, the processes that have formed it, as well as how people have used and interacted with their planet than through a range of areas of study from within the domains of Civics and Citizenship, Legal Studies, Economics and Geography? Students will complete a range of assessment tasks based around the Inquiry Process.

Cadet Journalists

Welcome to the world of news reporting! This subject will focus on how the Australian and world news media report on the issues that matter. Students will create their own news and current affairs stories both real and fictional. They will use their own footage based on school and community stories. They will travel the world, using existing video, audio and green screen technology to take them to the world’s hotspots, reporting on the most important breaking news: war zones, violent street protests, international elections and more. They will be given assignments, just like real ‘journos’ and required to research the background and ‘talent’ they will have to interview. Students will write their own scripts, subtly crafting their messages for audiences and the organisations for which they work. They will choose the footage that best suits their purposes, record their stories, use editing software to create information, excitement and perhaps even some sneaky manipulation of the masses.

Movie Moguls

Making a film is a huge undertaking; scripts need to be written, actors need to be cast, locations need to be scouted out, storyboards drawn and then it all needs to be directed, lit, filmed and edited. Students will do all of this and more! They will start by analysing some of the most famous scenes in movie history to see how the masters did it, then it will be time for them to produce their own dazzling film narratives. Students will be given simple film treatments which they will have to turn into scripts. They will work in small groups to produce, light, act in, film and edit short films in genres like horror, documentary, science fiction and action-adventure. Each student will be required to do some aspect of each role to produce entertaining and thought provoking works for different audiences.