VCE Chemistry2007–2011

STAV/CEA ConferenceFebruary 2006

Ann Osman

Important Notes

q Implementation

q Structural changes

q Assessment changes

q Set of key skills

q New content

q Glossary

Changes (1)q 2 areas of study in each unit- with

emphasis on greater understanding of principles rather than specific examples.The Periodic Table in Unit 1

q Set of key skills applicable each unit

q New assessment tasks

Changes (2)q Key concepts ‘spiral’ through each

unit

q Choice within some areas of study

q Rationale, Aims and Introduction to each unit and area of study have been updated

Summary new contentUnit 1 - nanotechnology

Unit 2 - green chemistry

Unit 3 - additional techniques of analysis,biochemical fuels, forensic analysis, design new medicines

Summary new contentUnit 4 - waste management and

health and safety, choice of industrial chemical, sustainability of energy sources

Key Skills

q Investigate and inquire scientifically

q Apply chemical understandings

q Communicate chemical information and understandings

Concepts

q Structure and bonding

q Reactions

q Energy

q Tools chemists use

StructureUnit 1The big ideas of chemistryThe Periodic Table, Materials

Unit 2EnvironmentalChemistry Water,The atmosphere

Unit 3Chemical pathwaysChemical analysis,Organic chemical pathways

Unit 4Chemistry at workIndustrial chemistry,Supplying and using energy

Outcome statementsFocus on in Units 1 and 2q Explanation using evidenceq Use of models to explain properties

and applications

Focus on in Units 3 and 4q Identificationq Evaluationq Analysis

School-assessed coursework

q Contributes 17% to study score in each of Unit 3 and Unit 4 (34% in total)

q New assessments tasks

q 3 School-assessed Coursework Tasks in Unit 3 and in Unit 4. Assessed using performance descriptors

q Choice as to what task and which Unit and/or Area of study

Unit 3 School-assessed Coursework

q One extended experimental investigation drawn from either area of study (50 marks)

And from the area of study NOT used for the extendedexperimental investigationq A written report of one practical activity (25 marks)

And one ofq A response to stimulus material in written, oral or visual

formatq An analysis of first or second-hand data using structured

questionsq A report in written, oral, multimedia or visual format

related to chemical pathways(25 marks)

Unit 4 School-assessed Coursework

A summary report including annotations of three practical activities drawn from either area of study (50 marks)

And from the area of study NOT used for the summary report including annotations of three practical activities q A written report of one practical activity (25 marks)

And one of q A response to stimulus material in written, oral or visual

formatq An analysis of first or second-hand data using structured

questionsq A report in written, oral, multimedia or visual format

related to chemistry at work(25 marks)

Examples of extended experimental investigationsq Investigate transition metals and why this group sits

‘separately’ in the Periodic Table for example make transition metal complexes, oxidation states of vanadium, magnetic properties (Unit 1)

q Preparation and collection of an ester (Unit 1)

q Determine salinity in water samples by precipitation or colorimetric procedures and rank as drinkable, usable for garden (Unit 2)

q Laboratory preparation and testing of a gas and compare to published data (Unit 2)

q Preparation (including purity test) of aspirin. Teachers could provide the experiment or students research it (Unit 3)

Example of summary report including

annotations of three practical activitiesq Flame colours of selected metals, solubility of some ionic salts in

water and conductivity of some ionic salts. Annotations that link to/illustrate/explain how main features of the model for ionic bonding are related, how the properties of ionic substances result from a combination of the features and that not all ionic substances behave in exactly the same manner (Unit 1)

q Titration to determine concentration of an acid, measure the pH of a variety of acids and determine which substances are amphiprotic. Results and calculations provide the annotations that build a profile, definition, description of acids, neutralisation etc (Unit 2)

q Effect of temperature, concentration and pressure on equilibriumsystems. Annotations would illustrate Le Chatelier’s principle and show how industry deals with equilibrium situations (Unit 4)

Examinations2 exams: q Exam 1 June – Unit 3

Exam 2 November – Unit 4

q Each exam contributes 33% (total 66%) to study score

q Each exam 1.5 hours

Support for implementationq CDROM (IIRD)

q Ongoing professional development program

q Teaching and learning plans for each unit

q Examples of assessment tasks

q Background articles

q Teacher placement in emerging industries

Examples of Useful websites

q Business Victoria - Science, Technology & Innovation - Biotechnology Newsletter

q http://www.science.org.au/novaq http://www.bio21.com.au/q http://www.thescientist.com/q http://www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/index.htmlq http://www.abc.net.au/science

For further informationq VCAA website www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

VCE/Chemistrywww.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/chemistry/chemindex.html

q VCAA Bulletins(VCAA Supplement: Summary of Change)Supplement March 2006

q ContactAnn OsmanCurriculum Manager SciencePh: (03) 9651 4512 osman.ann.e@edumail.vic.gov.au

Examples Business Victoria - Science, Technology & Innovation -Biotechnology Newsletter