The updated NCEA Level 1 course offers 16 credits. The courses cater for a wide variety of student interests and cover the core science curriculum while focusing on different contexts, including Biology and Chemistry, Physical Sciences, whilst developing scientific skills. The courses are designed to prepare students by giving them the science tools they need for the world, including critical thinking, and application of knowledge. They provide a wide variety of meaningful experiences built around the local contexts and include a mixture of practical and theoretical aspects. The Level 1 Science course provides the essential knowledge required to continue with the specialised science courses such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Levels 2 and 3.