Chemistry
Module guides, sample programs, teaching activities, sample assessment tasks and exam questions and general resources assisting you in preparing programs, units of work and lesson plans.
Have your say – syllabus consultation
NESA will release the draft Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus, and the Chemistry Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus for public consultation as part of the NSW Curriculum Reform.
View the NESA information videos on Have your say – Chemistry 11–12 (staff only).
Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
The Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) furthers student knowledge and understanding of the chemical world strand in K-10 science by focusing on chemical concepts and explaining the relationship between atoms and the macro world.
Chemistry visualises the dynamic world of atoms, chemical interactions and the structure, composition and reactions of and between elements, compounds and mixtures. The problem-solving nature of chemistry further develops students’ working scientifically skills by focusing on the exploration of models, analysis of theories and laws and an understanding of their interconnectedness. The discovery and synthesis of new compounds and materials and their properties, structures, interactions and related applications is explored through empirical investigations, modelling, chemical analysis and chemical synthesis.
Students who study chemistry, investigate real-world problems and derive relationships between variables. They are required to engage in analysing and representing data, solve mathematical problems and develop and use models to represent chemicals and reactions. Chemistry is a discipline that utilises innovative and creative thinking to address new challenges, such as sustainability, monitoring of industrial processes, energy needs and the creation of new materials.
The study of chemistry provides the foundation knowledge and skills required to support participation in a range of careers and post-school studies in a range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and health science fields.
The following support materials may be adapted by teachers to meet the individual needs of their schools.
Module resources Year 11
- Module 1 Atomic structure and mass unit plan (DOCX 52 KB)
- Module 1 assessment task (DOCX 46 KB)
- Module 2 Gas laws unit plan (DOCX 67 KB)
- Module 2 depth study (DOCX 75 KB)
- Module 3 Chemical reactions unit plan (DOCX 53 KB)
- Module 4 Entropy and Gibbs energy unit plan (DOCX 82 KB)
- Year 11 assessment schedule (DOCX 44 KB)
- Module 1 guide (DOCX 1398 KB)
- Module 2 guide (DOCX 468 KB)
- Module 3 guide (DOCX 1050 KB)
- Module 4 guide (DOCX 5643 KB)
- Module 1 periodicity (DOCX 1312 KB)
Module resources Year 12
- Module 5 guide (DOCX 109 KB)
- Module 5 solution equilibria unit plan (DOCX 50 KB)
- Module 6 guide (DOCX 573 KB)
- Module 6 acid base analysis unit plan (DOCX 51 KB)
- Module 6 buffers (DOCX 10956 KB)
- Module 7 guide (DOCX 695 KB)
- Module 8 guide (DOCX 457 KB)
- Module 8 case studies depth study (DOCX 55 KB)
- Module 8 analysis of organic substances (DOCX 4566 KB)
- Module 8 sample spectral data (DOCX 400 KB)
- Year 12 modules problem set (DOCX 4917 KB)
- Year 12 assessment schedule (DOCX 44 KB)
- Modelling in chemistry (DOCX 665 KB)
- Module 7 IUPAC nomenclature guide (DOCX 1994 KB)
General resources
- Chemistry resource links (DOCX 76 KB)
- Evaluating scientific data Stage 4 to 6 (DOCX 259 KB)
- Evaluating scientific investigations abridged (DOCX 70 KB)
- Indigenous chemistry resources (DOCX 53 KB)
- Indigenous perspectives (DOCX 57 KB)
- Inspired scientific thinking (DOCX 44 KB)
- Investigation planning sheet (DOCX 44 KB)
- Risk analysis table (DOCX 45 KB)
- Self assessment strategy met not met I noticed (DOCX 45 KB)
- Student reflection science investigation (DOCX 151 KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (DOCX 46 KB)
External resources
The following websites may be useful in the teaching of chemistry.
- An interactive periodic table
- WebElements explores the chemical elements through the periodic table.
- ANSTO provides educational and syllabus focussed resources, posters, scientist profiles and more.
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2021.