The Science Learning Area has been significantly influenced by recent curriculum changes. In the fields of Chemistry and Biology, Dr Laux took the initiative to design a unit plan that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the requirements of the CB 1.3 standard, which focusses on demonstrating an understanding of genetic variation in relation to an identified characteristic.
Additionally, Dr Laux wanted to provide supplementary learning opportunities to stimulate students with an interest in more advanced biology, ensuring they gain valuable background knowledge.
In a series of workshops, Dr Laux collaborated with staff and researchers from the University of Auckland and Victoria University to incorporate real scientific research contexts into secondary school classrooms. The resulting resources offer secondary school teachers a diverse range of contexts to choose from, allowing them to tailor content to suit their students' needs.
While the proposed unit suggests a logical sequence of lessons, not all are mandatory for achieving the CB 1.3 standard. Teachers are free to select the content that best aligns with their teaching objectives.