Science and Technology

Science and Technology is a standout feature of learning at Manly Vale Public School. Every class participates in 1.5 hours of specialist Science each week, taught by passionate, highly experienced teachers who bring deep expertise and genuine excitement to the subject. This dedicated model gives students far more than a traditional classroom experience; it opens the door to rich, hands-on investigations, real-world problem solving and meaningful opportunities to wonder, question and explore.

Our specialist teachers design learning that is immersive, practical and joyfully noisy in all the best ways. Students build, test, code, design, predict, observe and experiment their way through the Science and Technology syllabus, developing strong skills in inquiry, creativity and critical thinking. Lessons are deliberately crafted to spark curiosity and empower students to investigate how the world works, from the smallest living things to the biggest systems shaping our planet.

Students often tell us that Science is their favourite part of the week, and it’s easy to see why. They are encouraged to take risks, think boldly, collaborate with peers and see themselves as scientists, engineers and designers. Our program nurtures confident learners who are not only engaged in the moment, but excited about the possibilities ahead.

At Manly Vale, Science and Technology is more than a subject. It’s a culture of curiosity, innovation and discovery that prepares our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

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What are our students learning in science?

Screenshot of Science Scope and Sequence of learning

Science and Technology at MVPS follows a rich, hands-on learning pathway from Kindergarten to Year 6. Each stage builds on the one before, helping students grow as curious thinkers, problem-solvers and young scientists. Our specialist teachers deliver engaging lessons that connect to real-world concepts and inspire deep understanding across all strands of the NSW syllabus.

Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

Unit Themes:

  • Sensing Our World
  • Material Matters
  • Design Detectives
  • Living to Thrive
  • Space Explorers

What they learn:
Kindergarten students explore science through play, observation and wonder. They investigate the world using their senses, compare materials and their uses, and learn how living things grow and thrive. Through simple design challenges, they begin to understand how technology solves everyday problems. Students also develop early curiosity about Earth and space as they learn about night and day, weather and the sky.

Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

Alternating content in even and odd years.

Key Units:

  • Living Things: Animals & Plants
  • Light and Sound
  • Forces and Motion
  • Weather & Our Planet
  • Human Body (Senses & Organs)
  • Digital Systems, Coding & Data
  • The Sky and Space
  • Rocks, Soils & Geology

What they learn:
Stage 1 students build foundational scientific concepts by exploring how living things survive, how light and sound help us communicate, and how forces make objects move. They learn about the weather, the sky and changing seasons, and deepen their understanding of Earth’s features. Students also begin their journey in Digital Technologies by learning basic coding, understanding data, and exploring digital systems. Scientific inquiry skills develop as students question, observe, record and explain.

Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)

Alternating content in even and odd years.

Key Units:

  • Body Systems
  • Properties of Matter
  • Forces Shaping Earth’s Surface
  • Solar System
  • Digital Systems
  • Heat Energy
  • Living Things

What they learn:
Stage 2 students expand their understanding of how systems work; from the human body to the solar system. They investigate the properties of materials, how heat moves and changes substances, and how natural forces such as wind and water shape Earth’s surface. Digital Technologies becomes more advanced: students develop computational thinking, design digital solutions and explore how information systems work. Inquiry becomes more structured as students plan investigations, make predictions, collect data and draw conclusions.

Stage 3 (years 5 and 6)

Alternating content in even and odd years.

Key Units:

  • Digital Systems & Coding
  • Body Systems
  • Living World
  • Usable Matter
  • Earth’s Climate
  • Electrical Energy (Makey Makey)
  • Solar System

What they learn:
Stage 3 students deepen their scientific understanding through sophisticated investigation and real-world application. They explore Earth’s climate systems, global environmental changes, and the interdependence of living things. Students expand their knowledge of energy, electricity and circuits through hands-on engineering challenges, including Makey Makey innovations. They study materials and chemical changes, compare human body systems, and investigate Earth and space science at a more complex level. In Digital Technologies, students code, problem-solve and design digital solutions with increasing independence.

At this stage, students begin to think and act like scientists; designing fair tests, analysing data, evaluating evidence and communicating findings clearly.

Regardless of year level, Science & Technology at MVPS develops:

Our specialist science program ensures every student experiences depth, excitement and challenge as they learn about the world and how it works.

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Student making shadows on the wall
Student making shadows on the wall.
Students making shadows on the wall.
Students holding up sticks they've just collected for science
Students sitting behind their haul of natural materials found outside for science
Students building a makeshift prototype house out of cardboard
Students building with Lego
Students playing with slime during science experiment
Students experimenting with stethoscopes
Students trialing braille during science
Students wearing science lab coats and googles
Student standing with her diorama.
Students making dioramas.
Students using binoculars during science
Students building light mazes
Students playing with playdough.
Students drawing skeletons using the skeleton on the table as inspiration.
Student experimenting with light and mirrors
Students wearing
Students looking at light in a glass jar.
Students playing with slime during science
Student holding a baby chicken,
Students playing with water and sponges outside for science
Students playing with water and foil boats in a sink.
Students holding up with hand skeleton artwork.
Student holding up their hand skeleton artwork.
Students sitting on the floor in front of a human body drawing, working
Students holding a snake skin.
Student holding a baby chicken,
Student holding a baby chicken.
Student holding up a sign with information about hatching chickens.
Students using a magnifying glass to look at seeds.
Students looking at baby chickens in an incubator.
Students holding up a book and an artwork used as inspiration from the book.
Students playing with worms in dirt.
Students sitting and looking at science experiment.
Students holding up test tubes of coloured water and white flowers in the test tube.
Worm on student's hand.
Students looking at light in a jar.
Students wearing googles.
Students working on a project on the floor.
Students working with their Makey Makey kits on a table.
Students looking at slime in a cup during science.
STudents working on their project at the table.
STudents working on their projects at a table.
Students standing next to their science projects.
Student sitting on the floor with a laptop working on his science project.
Students working on their electrical project.
Students with their Design project.
Students working on their design project.
Student working on her design project.
Students sitting around a table experimenting with milk and skittles.
Students sitting around a table experimenting with milk and skittles.
Students sitting around a table experimenting with milk and skittles.
Students sitting around a table experimenting with milk and skittles.
Students standing close to each other in a circle, stretching out some material to help move beans on the fabric.
Students standing close to each other in a circle, stretching out some material to help move beans on the fabric.
Students looking at a yellow substance in a snaplock bag.
Students holding their space presentation project.
Students holding their space presentation project.
Students working with laptops and electrical materials during science.
Students working with laptops and electrical materials during science.
Students working with laptops and electrical materials during science.
Students working with laptops and electrical materials during science.
Students working with laptops and electrical materials during science.
Students with their space project.
Students working with laptops and electrical materials during science.

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