1. Year 9 Subject Selection Space – Final Frontier

2. Course Description
This advanced unit calls on the students' skills in Mathematics, Science and Technology. They research different facets of the Mars exploration missions, including the geological features search for evidence of life on the ‘Red Planet’. On a more general scale, this unit also introduces the concepts of the origins of the universe, star formation, nuclear fusion, cosmological distances and black holes. Students require a recommendation from their Maths teacher to be selected for this subject. Successful completion of all components of this unit awards the student with a year 10 standard of attainment.

3. Why Study this? Work Tasks Assessment tasks These include:
Chapter & video questions
Online activities
Excursion to Planetarium & VSSEC engaging in:
Collaborative teamwork
Experimental Analysis
Problem Solving
Mars research assignment
VSSEC excursion practical report
Principles of Motion workbook
Unit Test

4. Subject pathway….
Successful completion of all components of this unit awards the student with a year 10 standard of attainment. VCE pathway: VCE Chemistry and Physics. It is strongly advised that students who choose to undertake VCE Chemistry and Physics should complete the Year 10 Chemistry & Physics courses as well.

5. Other activities/costs?
Practical work is conducted at an overnight excursion, visiting the Planetarium and the Victorian Space and Science Education Centre in Melbourne. Students will participate in a simulated Mars surface exploration tasks and Mission Control responsibilities followed by laboratory analysis activities of the samples collected on the surface of Mars. This unit is challenging, but rewarding...and fun. Approximate excursion cost to student: $110

6. More information….
Mr. John Russo