Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12 enables students to better understand the physical world and how it works. Students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the concepts of motion, light, sound and energy and meaningfully apply this in a range of everyday contexts.

What students learn

Through the study of Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12, students:

develop critical thinking, problem-solving and data analysis skills using scientific investigation
explore the concepts of motion, light, sound and energy
discover how patterns, relationships and models are used to make sense of changes in the physical world
explore the applications of science to investigate and solve problems related to forces, motion, sound, light and energy
develop knowledge and skills to support personal safety, community participation and decision-making.

Course structure

The course numbers and units for each year of study are set out below.

Course numbers:

Physical World Science Life Skills (Year 11, 2 units): 16667
Physical World Science Life Skills (Year 12, 2 units): 16667

Physical World Science Life Skills Year 11 and Year 12

The following focus areas can be studied throughout Year 11 (120 hours) and Year 12 (120 hours).

Forces and motion
Sound
Electricity and magnetism
Motion
Applications of electricity and magnetism
Light
Physical world in context

For Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12:

Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12 outcomes.
Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12 outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.
Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content should be integrated throughout the course based on the strengths and needs of individual students.
Content from the Physical world in context focus area can be integrated with any other focus area or undertaken as a standalone focus area for students with specific areas of interest. The content provides a range of scientific investigations that can be undertaken collaboratively or independently and developed as depth studies.
Depth studies may be undertaken if appropriate to the needs, interests and abilities of students. Depth studies may be completed individually or collaboratively.
Examples provided in the content are suggestions only. Teachers may use the examples provided or use other examples to meet the particular needs of individual students.

Working scientifically

The Working scientifically outcomes and content are integral to the study of Physics 11–12. The Working scientifically outcomes address:

questioning and predicting
planning scientific investigations
conducting scientific investigations
processing data and information
analysing data and information
problem-solving
communicating.

Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content should be integrated with each focus area based on the strengths and needs of individual students.

Scientific investigations

Each focus area in the Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus includes content points that contain scientific investigations. These content points include practical investigations and secondary-source investigations and are conducted individually and collaboratively.

Practical investigations include:

laboratory experiments
computer simulations; modelling, processing and analysing primary data, and using appropriate digital technologies
fieldwork.

Secondary-source investigations include:

locating and accessing a wide range of data and information from secondary sources
extracting, analysing and using data and information from secondary sources
reorganising and communicating secondary-source data and information in the form of flow charts, tables, graphs, diagrams, written documents, keys, spreadsheets or databases
using existing models to inform understanding.

Some students with disability may require adjustments to conduct scientific investigations.

Depth studies

Students undertaking Physical World Science Life Skills have the option to engage in a depth study. Depth studies are targeted scientific investigations in which students deepen their understanding of course content through the application of Working scientifically knowledge. They provide opportunities for students to pursue their interests and deepen their scientific understanding of one or more focus areas. Depth studies may be completed individually or collaboratively.

Some students with disability may require adjustments in order to engage with the depth studies.

Safety, risk management and animal welfare

Schools are required to ensure they follow safety and risk management, including the welfare of animals, in delivering the Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus.

Welcome to the NSW Curriculum website

11–12Physical World Science Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Assessment