Working Scientifically

What Does Working Scientifically Mean?

In the context of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Science curriculum, "working scientifically" refers to a series of skills, processes, and attitudes that students are expected to develop and demonstrate in order to carry out scientific investigations effectively. These skills are essential for understanding scientific concepts and applying them to real-world situations.

Working scientifically in the NSW HSC Science curriculum generally includes the following components:

Designing Experiments

• Independent, Dependent and Controlled Variables

• Positive and Negative Controls

Communicating in Science

• How to Write a Science Report

• How to Draw Tables and Graphs

• Choosing the Right Type of Graph

Analysing Data

• Validity, Accuracy and Reliability

• Calculating Gradient of Line of Best Fit