Syllabus Mapping

NSW Stage 5 Science · Reactivity Rocket Project

Published

May 8, 2026

Purpose

This document is the audit trail showing how the project covers the relevant NSW Stage 5 Science syllabus dot points. Use it for:

  • Parent / admin reassurance (“yes, this is the syllabus”)
  • Programming documentation for the school’s faculty records
  • Mapping individual student evidence to outcomes for reporting

Stage 5 Outcomes covered

Knowledge and Understanding — Chemical World

Outcome code Outcome statement Where covered
SC5-16CW Explains how models, theories and laws about matter have been refined as new scientific evidence becomes available W1L2 (reaction types), W1L3 (galvanic series), W4L4 (Leap71/Noiron contrast)
SC5-17CW Discusses the importance of chemical reactions in the production of a range of substances, and the influence of society on the development and use of these products W4L4 (rocket propulsion in society), final report

Knowledge and Understanding — Physical World

Outcome code Outcome statement Where covered
SC5-10PW Applies models, theories and laws to explain situations involving energy, force and motion Heat Exchanger team work; W3L4 reconciliation
SC5-11PW Explains how scientific understanding about energy conservation, transfer and transformation is applied in systems W3 ethanol + methane calorimetry (chemical → thermal energy measured); W3 atmospheric LPG flame demo on form study (chemical → thermal → mechanical thrust); W4 vendor burn reconciliation (predicted vs measured energy partition)

Skills — Working Scientifically

Outcome code Outcome statement Where covered
SC5-4WS Develops questions or hypotheses to be investigated scientifically Each lab report Section 2
SC5-5WS Produces a plan to investigate identified questions, hypotheses or problems, individually and collaboratively Team charters; W2L4 design review
SC5-6WS Undertakes first-hand investigations to collect valid and reliable data and information, individually and collaboratively W2L5 H₂O₂/KMnO₄ rates calibration (three controlled-variable experiments); W3L8 ethanol + methane calorimetry; W3L10 atmospheric LPG flame demo on form study
SC5-7WS Processes, analyses and evaluates data from first-hand investigations and secondary sources to develop evidence-based arguments and conclusions Each lab report Sections 6–9; reconciliation reports
SC5-8WS Applies scientific understanding and critical thinking skills to suggest possible solutions to identified problems W2L4 design review; iteration between tests
SC5-9WS Presents science ideas and evidence for a particular purpose and to a specific audience, using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations Lab reports (every week); W4L4 team presentation

Knowledge dot points — content tracing

NSW Stage 5 Science (Chemical World) content statements covered:

CW1 — The chemical and physical properties of substances

  • Identify the relationship between elements, compounds, and mixtures → W1L2 (CH₄ as compound; air as mixture; oxidiser-fuel as mixture)
  • Investigate models of atomic structure → W1L3 (electron transfer in plating)

CW2 — Different types of chemical reactions

  • Investigate a range of types of chemical reactions, including:
    • Combustion (synthesis): methane + oxygen, hydrogen + oxygen → W1L2, W3, W4
    • Decomposition: hydrogen peroxide → water + oxygen → W1L2, W2L1
    • Decomposition (electrolytic): water → hydrogen + oxygen → W4L1
    • Single displacement (metal-ion): Cu²⁺ + Fe → Cu + Fe²⁺ → W1L3 (Materials team plating prep); galvanic series demo
    • Single displacement (electrolytic): Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu (cathode) → W2L2 (Materials team electroplating)
    • Acid-base neutralisation: H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O → W1L3 (acid pickle + base rinse for plating); W4 spent-electrolyte disposal

CW3 — Rates of reaction

  • Investigate how factors affect the rate of reaction:
    • Temperature → W2L1 (variable in rates lab)
    • Surface area → W2L1 (catalyst grain size optional extension)
    • Concentration → W2L1 (catalyst concentration)
    • Catalyst presence → W2L1 (whole-class lab)
  • Apply collision theory to explain rate → W1L4 (concept), W2L1 (analysis)

CW4 — Catalysts and energy

  • Identify catalysts as substances that increase reaction rate without being consumed → W2L1 (KMnO₄ recovered as MnO₂ + reduced species)
  • Apply energy-profile reasoning (activation energy lowered by catalyst) → W2L1 analysis section

CW5 — Corrosion and protection of metals

  • Investigate the corrosion of metals → Materials team team-charter; post-test plate analysis
  • Identify methods of protecting metals from corrosion → Cu electroplating as primary control demonstrated

Per-lesson syllabus coverage matrix

Lesson Outcomes Content dot points
W1L1 SC5-9WS Project orientation; safety; team formation
W1L2 SC5-16CW, SC5-17CW CW1, CW2 (synthesis, decomposition)
W1L3 SC5-16CW CW2 (displacement, neutralisation), CW5
W1L4 SC5-4WS, SC5-5WS CW3 (collision theory)
W2L1 SC5-6WS, SC5-7WS CW3, CW4 (rates lab)
W2L2 SC5-5WS CW2, CW5 (parallel team build)
W2L3 SC5-5WS CW2, CW5 (parallel team build cont.)
W2L4 SC5-8WS, SC5-9WS Design review; cross-cutting
W3L1 SC5-5WS Engineering integration
W3L2 SC5-6WS Cold-flow data collection
W3L3 SC5-6WS, SC5-11PW CW2 (synthesis), CW3, energy transfer
W3L4 SC5-7WS, SC5-9WS Reconciliation, lab report
W4L1 SC5-5WS, SC5-6WS CW2 (electrolytic decomposition)
W4L2 SC5-6WS, SC5-11PW CW2, CW3, energy transformation
W4L3 SC5-7WS, SC5-9WS Reconciliation, lab report
W4L4 SC5-9WS, SC5-17CW Communication, social context

How student evidence maps to outcomes

For end-of-term reporting, individual student evidence sources:

  • Lab Reports 1–4 → primary evidence for SC5-4WS, SC5-7WS, SC5-9WS
  • Diagnostic and exit-ticket scores (W1L2, W1L3, W2L1) → SC5-16CW, CW2, CW3
  • Team charter contributions (peer-reviewed at W2L4 design review) → SC5-5WS, SC5-8WS
  • Test-day Safety Officer signoff log → SC5-6WS (procedure compliance)
  • Final team presentation (W4L4) → SC5-9WS, SC5-17CW

Coverage gaps and how they’re handled

Stage 5 dot point Why not covered fully Mitigation
Solubility and saturation Not central to project Pre-program lesson assumed; revisit in extension if needed
Acid concentration scale (pH) — full quantitative Project uses qualitative pH Materials team neutralisation log uses pH paper, sufficient for Stage 5
Electrochemical cells beyond plating Out of scope for 4 weeks Hofmann electrolysis covers core idea; full galvanic-vs-electrolytic contrast is a possible extension
Reaction stoichiometry (mole calculations) Touched but not deep Faraday calculation in Materials team gets students to mass-vs-moles; deeper stoichiometry in normal program

Quality-assurance check

This mapping should be reviewed by the Head of Science before W1L1 to confirm:

If any item is failing, raise via change control on the ICD and update this document.