new research project sace

Research Project A & B (Stage 2)

Length of course, compulsory or elective, pre-requisites, subject description.

Students choose a research question that is based on an area of interest to them. They explore and develop one or more capabilities in the context of their research.

The term ‘research’ is used broadly and may include practical or technical investigations, formal research, or exploratory inquiries.

The Research Project provides a valuable opportunity for SACE students to develop and demonstrate skills essential for learning and living in a changing world. It enables students to develop vital skills of planning, research, synthesis, evaluation, and project management.

The Research Project enables students to explore an area of interest in depth, while developing skills to prepare them for further education, training, and work. Students develop their ability to question sources of information, make effective decisions, evaluate their own progress, be innovative, and solve problems.

The content of both Research Project A and B consists of:

• developing the capabilities
• applying the research framework 

In Research Project students choose a research question that is based on an area of interest . They identify one or more capabilities that are relevant to their research.

Students use the research framework as a guide to developing their research and applying knowledge, skills, and ideas specific to their research question. They choose one or more capabilities, explore the concept of the capability or capabilities, and how it or they can be developed in the context of their research.

Students synthesise their key findings to produce a Research Outcome, which is substantiated by evidence and examples from the research. They review the knowledge and skills they have developed, and reflect on the quality of their Research Outcome.

Students must achieve a C– grade or better to complete the subject successfully and gain their SACE.

For Research Project A, students can choose to present their external assessment in written, oral, or multimodal form.

For Research Project B, the external assessment must be written.

The following assessment types enable students to demonstrate their learning in Stage 2 Research Project A and B:

School Assessment (70%)

Assessment Type 1: Folio (30%)

Assessment Type 2: Research Outcome (40%)

External Assessment (30%)

Assessment Type 3: Review (30% Research Project A)

Assessment Type 3: Evaluation (30% Research Project B)

Research Project A and B contribute to an ATAR

Pathways for Cross Disciplinary

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Controversial SACE research project to stay in curriculum despite criticism

STUDENTS must continue to study the controversial research project despite many submissions asking for it to be dumped, Education Minister Grace Portolesi says.

STUDENTS must continue to study the controversial research project despite many submissions to a review asking for it to be dumped, made optional or strictly a Year 11 subject, Education Minister Grace Portolesi says.

Responding to the SACE first year evaluation, the State Government says it will now encourage students to study five full subjects in Year 12.

But it is not willing to enforce the move, instead leaving it up to the state's universities to boost entry requirements.

Ms Portolesi yesterday said the Government would also provide more support for teaching and marking, more practical research project options and an optional preparatory research skills subject in Year 11.

There will be no changes for students introduced next year. Revised research project options and the research skills subject will be introduced in 2014.

"We are strengthening the research project and we are backing the SACE," Ms Portolesi said.

She revealed plans to provide students with an incentive to study a fifth Year 12 subject and had written to each of SA's three universities asking them to consider calculating the university entry score using a 90-point system rather than the current 80 points.

Under the current system, the score is based on students' results in four subjects because each subject is worth 20 points. Moving to a 90-point system would allow the fifth subject to also be counted.

"The decision to have a 90-point aggregate is up to universities and I am asking them to consider this in time for students studying for their SACE in 2015," Ms Portolesi said.

"This means students could study five full-year subjects in their final year and have each of them count towards their ATAR (university entrance score).

An Institute of Educational Assessors would also be established to assist teachers and the SACE Board would receive an extra $7.6 million investment over the next five years.

The independent evaluation of the first year of the new SACE found the research project provides an "inherent advantage" for female students and recommended an easier version be available to Year 11 students who wanted to do five subjects in Year 12.

The government did not support this recommendation and instead would continue to allow schools to offer the research project designed for Year 12s in Year 11.

Each of SA's three universities said they were willing to look at Ms Portolesi's request to change the entry requirements.

Australian Education Union SA branch president Correna Haythorpe said teachers wanted to see more flexibility and thought the research project should not be compulsory.

"I believe members would continue to hold the view that students should be able to decide whether to engage in the research project or not," she said.

Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Garry Le Duff said there were very diverse views about the SACE among private schools but some leaders were critical of the research project.

"Our submission to the review wanted students who want to study five subjects be given recognition so the government's response has gone some way to meeting that request," he said.

"(It) is a step in the right direction and we will continue to monitor the SACE and its development."

St Peter's Girls principal Fiona Godfrey said she applauded the consideration given to all the major issues but was concerned the changes did not go far enough.

"In terms of the research project I still firmly believe it shouldn't be a compulsory element of Stage 2 (Year 12) and should be a Stage 1 (Year 11) subject or an elective in Stage 2," she said.

"Changes to university entrance doesn't force students to study five subjects and most will just continue to study four subjects and the compulsory research project.

"The real issues not addressed at all are the falling number of students studying languages other than English and humanities."

SA Secondary Principals Association president Jan Paterson said she welcomed the decision because it would enhance schools' capacity to deliver a high school certificate that was valuable to all students.

Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond said the new SACE was a "failed experiment".

"I understand some people were doing planning their wedding or building a dog kennel and all sorts of things (for the Research Project). Those things should be extra curricular, not part of a serious qualification," she said.

"Having only four subjects was not good. I believe that we need to have a bigger focus on English as a language being taught. I don't believe that we do that well enough." 

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Curriculum 2024

Research Project A

• Introduction
• Australian Curriculum
• Curriculum Offerings 2024
• Learning Area Flowcharts
• Assigning English and Mathematics Classes
• Positive Education
• Senior School Planning and Pathways
• Pathways Program - VET
• Year 11 SACE Stage 1
• Year 12 SACE Stage 2

• Schools Online
• Students Online

SACE Board of South Australia

Find out more about the subjects on offer, assessment strategies, and professional learning opportunities.

• Professional learning
• Resulting and Schools Online
• Subject renewal
• Simple page - UAT
• Long section page - UAT

Find out how to help students meet the requirements of the SACE, support teachers in VET and special provisions, and complete your admin tasks.

• Getting ready for end of year
• Getting started
• Administration
• Marketing toolkit
• VET and recognised learning
• Electronic assessment
• Special provisions

Students can learn about their SACE journey, the comprehensive range of subjects on offer, and flexible pathways they can take.

• Your SACE journey
• Help and support
• SACE Board Strategic Plan
• Drivers for change
• Our approach
• Professional Learning
• Revitalising the Personal Learning Plan
• Revitalising the Research Project
• Capabilities & Learner Profile
• Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning
• SACE Change Network

Overview - Research Project

• Teaching the SACE

Research Project

Navigation menu, web content display (global).

In the Research Project, you will have the opportunity to study an area of interest in depth.

It will require you to use your creativity and initiative, while developing the research and presentation skills you will need in further study or work.

Key documents

• 2022 Research Project Subject Assessment Advice.docx 836KB
• Research Project A - subject adjustments 2023.pdf 99KB
• Research Project A Subject Outline (for teaching in 2023).docx 1.4MB
• Research Project B - subject adjustments 2023.pdf 99KB
• Research Project B Subject Outline (for teaching in 2023).docx 1.3MB

Useful links

• Stage 2 key dates
• Teacher FAQs
• Student FAQs
• Subject operational information
• Introducing the Research Project to students
• Apply to be a member of an assessment panel

Asset Publisher

Subject codes.

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How the SACE works: Understanding South Australia and the Northern Territory's Year 12 ATAR system (SACE/NTCET)

Exactly how the mythical SACE/NTCET works is a constant source of confusion for parents and students. Learn about South Australia and the Northern Territory's shared Year 12 ATAR system here

2 years ago   •   3 min read

The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) and the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) are related senior secondary certificates both managed by the SACE Board.

To obtain the SACE or NTCET, students must achieve 200 credits. How are they counted? Let's take a look:

How the SACE works:

The SACE involves Stage 1 subjects and Stage 2 subjects.

Stage 1 subjects are mostly taken in Year 11, and Stage 2 subjects are mostly taken in Year 12.

Each semester of a subject is worth 10 credits when passed. (But we’re aiming for way higher here!) Credits can also be gained through recognised VET courses and other Recognised Studies. Here’s a breakdown of credit requirements:

50 Credits - Compulsory Subjects

Students must complete 20 credits of English subjects, and 10 credits of mathematics subjects. In addition to this, they must also complete:

The Personal Learning Plan (10 credits)

The Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is a Stage 1, 10-credit subject . Here, students consider their interests and strengths to form a plan for their future academic and professional goals. The PLP has a focus on student initiative by developing research skills and strategies to improve personal qualities. It’s often the first SACE subject a student will take, as most schools offer PLP in Year 10.

The Research Project A or B (10 credits)

The Research Project (RP) is a Stage 2, 10-credit subject . There are two variants: Research Project A does not allow the student to pursue an ATAR, while Research Project B enables both ATAR and non-ATAR pathways.

At the discretion of the school, students may take the subject in Year 11 or 12 (some even complete it during the summer break in-between!). Here, students select a research question, identify what makes high-quality research, refine research methods, analyse findings, and navigate problems encountered throughout.

60 Credits - Stage 2 or VET

Of the SACE/NTCET, 60 credits must come from Stage 2 subjects and/or recognised vocational education and training course(s). Students can undertake the two in whatever ratio they choose.

90 Credits - Other Studies

The rest of the 90 credits can be made up of any Recognised Studies. This may be:

• any SACE/NTCET subjects
• interstate/international senior secondary learning
• tertiary studies, including recognised VET and university studies
• community learning, through formal programs (like AMEB or St. John’s) or self-direction (like leading community projects or being a primary carer)
• plus way more!

Assessments

SACE/NTCET subjects are evaluated through internal (school-based) and external (set by the SACE Board) assessments. External assessments allow for moderated marking standards. While external assessments often include exams, not all subjects have one! For example, an English external piece may be an assignment completed over weeks, and an arts external assessment may be a live performance instead.

ATAR Calculation

SA and NT higher education admissions are managed by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre ( SATAC ).

The ATAR pathway is only available to students who complete

• Research Project B
• at least 90 credits at Stage 2
• of which at least 60 credits must be from 20-credit Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS)
• and the other 30 credits from TAS, with up to 20 credits of Recognised Studies.

The aggregate calculation process involves selecting a student’s three best-performing subjects (with scaled marks out of 20) and a “flexible option”. This option can be another subject, credits from Recognised Studies, or a mix. SATAC will work out the option that gives each student the highest possible aggregate before ranking them against each other to calculate the ATAR.

The SACE system can be quite complex, and understanding what's going on can be very daunting for new students and parents. If you ever need some assistance with SACE studies or subject-specific help, KIS Academics tutors have a thorough understanding of their subjects and can assist in understanding curriculum requirements. Our online tutors are able to provide materials and teaching on how to prepare for SACE assessments. Learn about our SACE tutoring and book a free study skills consultation with a KIS Academics online tutor.

Written by KIS Academics Tutor and State Consultant for South Australia (SACE), Yumeng Liu. You can view Yumeng's profile here and request her as a tutor.

Disclaimer: KIS Academics is not affiliated with the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre ( SATAC ). For a more detailed overview of the SACE , please refer to SATAC materials.

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Actuality: First Round Focus of ASCE Projects

Date :  Fri, 05/31/2024    Broadcast: 04

Remark :  Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor explains the five project areas available for funding application under USDA’s Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Program.

Duration :  00:00:58.958

Author :  RBAIN

MP3 :  Your browser does not support the audio element. AOC5DE005D6SLY3_89FC1AE79D084D22911604E0F26F9423.mp3