Australian Curriculum Science

Australian Curriculum Science

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  Sharon Anderson Geographe PrimarySchool AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM SCIENCE Acknowledgement: information taken from Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Videos courtesy of Youtube. Planning sheet: courtesy of Dunsborough PS
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  What is ACScience?
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  So . .. What is the structure of AC Science Three interrelated strands: Together, the three stands provides students with understanding, knowledge and skills through which they develop a scientific view of the world. They are challenged to explore concepts, nature and use through a clearly described inquiry process.
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  SCIENCE INQUIRY SKILLS Iswhere students identify and pose questions, plan, conduct and reflect on investigations. They process, analyse and interpret information and communicate their findings. Two year band. SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING Science understanding is when a person selects and integrates appropriate science knowledge to explain and predict phenomena and applies the knowledge to new situations. One year SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOUR This strand highlights science in the role of decision making and problem solving. It acknowledges the ethical and social implications must be taken into account when problem solving. Human Endeavour also recognises science advances and the contribution of many different people from a variety of cultures. Two year band What are the 3 strands about?
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  Science AC Summary STRANDSSCIENCE UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOUR SCIENCE INQUIRY SKILLS SUB STRANDS Biological Nature & development of science Questioning and predicting Chemical Use & influence of science Planning & conducting Earth & Space Processing & analysing data and information Physical Evaluating Communicating
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  FOUNDATION TO YEAR2 Young children have an intrinsic curiosity about their immediate world. Asking questions lead to speculation and the testing of ideas. Exploratory, purposeful play is a central feature of their investigations. In this stage of schooling students’ explorations are precursors to more structured inquiry in later years. They use the senses to observe and gather information, describing, making comparisons, sorting and classifying to create an order that is meaningful. They observe and explore changes that vary in their rate and magnitude and begin to describe relationships in the world around them. Students’ questions and ideas about the world become increasingly purposeful. They are encouraged to develop explanatory ideas and test them through further exploration.
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  Linking Primary Connectionsto AC
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  Kindy Resources Look whatwe found in the park! exploring the environment Is the grass still green at night? the rhythm of night and day We’re going an a (forensic) bear hunt. solving a mystery Muds and suds. science of cleanliness The sun changes everything! heat and light energy
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  Planning with ACand Science SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOUR SCIENCE INQUIRY SKILLS DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Select a content descriptor from each strand. In a sentence or two describe learning activities that integrate all 3 strands. Living things have basic needs, including food and water. Science involves exploring and observing the world using the senses. Respond to questions about familiar objects and events. Students will investigate ways in which animals stay clean/or dirty. They will explore the properties of mud and find out how soap works. Students will respond to questions about how we keep clean. Using ‘Planting the Seeds of Science: Muds and Suds’ Christine Howitt, Elaine Blake & Mauro Mocerino
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  Scope & Sequence AustralianCurriculum Science - Foundation to Year 7 GENERAL CAPABILITIES Literacy Numeracy ICT Critical & Creative Thinking Intercultural Understanding Personal & Social Competence Ethical Behaviour CROSS-CURRICULA PRIORITIES Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture Asia & Australia’s Engagement with Asia Sustainability OVERARCHING IDEAS Patterns, Order & Organisation Form & Function Stability & Change Scale & Measurement Matter & Energy Systems Science Understanding F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Curriculum Focus: awareness of self and the local world Curriculum Focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them. Curriculum Focus: explaining phenomena involving science and its application Biological Sciences Living things have basic needs, including food and water (ACSSU002) Living things have a variety of external features (ACSSU017) Living things live in different places where their needs are met (ACSSU211) Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (ACSSU030) Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (ACSSU044) Living things have life cycles (ACSSU072) Living things, including plants and animals, depend on each other and the environment to survive (ACSSU073) Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043) The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094) There are differences within and between groups of organisms; classification helps organise this diversity (ACSSU111) Interactions between organisms can be described in terms of food chains and food webs; human activity can affect these interactions (ACSSU112) Chemical Sciences Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (ACSSU003) Everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways (ACSSU018) Different materials can be combined, including by mixing, for a particular purpose (ACSSU031) A change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat (ACSSU046) Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; These properties can influence their use (ACSSU074) Solids, liquids and gases have different observable properties and behave in different ways (ACSSU077) Changes to materials can be reversible, such as melting, freezing, evaporating; or irreversible, such as burning and rusting (ACSSU095) Mixtures, including solutions, contain a combination of pure substances that can be separated using a range of techniques (ACSSU113) Earth&Space Sciences Daily and seasonal changes in our environment, including the weather, affect everyday life (ACSSU004) Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape (ACSSU019) Earth’s resources, including water, are used in a variety of ways (ACSSU032) Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (ACSSU048) Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity (ACSSU075) The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the sun) (ACSSU078) Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface (ACSSU096) Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the sun, Earth and the moon (ACSSU115) Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, but others are non-renewable (ACSSU116) Water is an important resource that cycles through the environment (ACSSU222) Physical Sciences The way objects move depends on a variety of factors, including their size and shape (ACSSU005) Light and sound are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed (ACSSU020) A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape (ACSSU033) Heat can be produced in many ways and can move from one object to another (ACSSU049) Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance (ACSSU076) Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted (ACSSU080) Electrical circuits provide a means of transferring and transforming electricity (ACSSU097) Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity (ACSSU219) Change to an object’s motion is caused by unbalanced forces acting on the object (ACSSU117) Earth’s gravity pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth (ACSSU118) Science as a Human Endeavour Nature& Development ofScience Science involves exploring and observing the world using the senses (ACSHE013) Science involves asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events (ACSHE021) Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships (ACSHE061) Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE098) Important contributions to the advancement of science have been made by people from a range of cultures (ACSHE099) Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE100) Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available, and some scientific discoveries have significantly changed people’s understanding of the world (ACSHE119) Science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines of science (ACSHE223) Useand Influenceof Science People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE022) Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE062) Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE100) Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE220) Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations (ACSHE120) Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE121) !
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  ! ! Science InquirySkills F! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! Questioning& Predicting! Respond to questions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS014)! Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS037)! With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge (ACSIS064)! With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be (ACSIS232)! Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS124) Planning& Conducting! Explore and make observations by using the senses (ACSIS011)! Participate in different types of guided investigations to explore and answer questions, such as manipulating materials, testing ideas, and accessing information sources (ACSIS038) Use informal measurements in the collection and recording of observations, with the assistance of digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS039)! Suggest ways to plan and conduct investigations to find answers to questions (ACSIS065) Safely use appropriate materials, tools or equipment to make and record observations, using formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS066)! With guidance, plan appropriate investigation methods to answer questions or solve problems (ACSIS103) Decide which variable should be changed and measured in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS104) Use equipment and materials safely, identifying potential risks (ACSIS105)! Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125) In fair tests, measure and control variables, and select equipment to collect data with accuracy appropriate to the task (ACSIS126)! Processing&Analysing data&Information! Engage in discussions about observations and use methods such as drawing to represent ideas (ACSIS233) ! Use a range of methods to sort information, including drawings and provided tables (ACSIS040) Through discussion, compare observations with predictions (ACSIS214) ! Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends (ACSIS068) Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings (ACSIS216)! Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS107) Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (ACSIS221)! Construct and use a range of representations, including graphs, keys and models to represent and analyse patterns or relationships, including using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS129) Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions (ACSIS130)! Evaluating! ! Compare observations with those of others (ACSIS041)! Reflect on the investigation; including whether a test was fair or not (ACSIS069)! Suggest improvements to the methods used to investigate a question or solve a problem (ACSIS108)! Reflect on the method used to investigate a question or solve a problem, including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identify improvements to the method (ACSIS131) Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims (ACSIS132) Communi- cating Share observations and ideas (ACSIS012)! Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways such as oral and written language, drawing and role play (ACSIS042)! Represent and communicate ideas and findings in a variety of ways such as diagrams, physical representations and simple reports (ACSIS071)! Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS110)! Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)! ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS! ! By the end of the Foundation year, students describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. They suggest how the environment affects them and other living things. Students share observations of familiar objects and events. By the end of Year 1, students describe objects and events that they encounter in their everyday lives, and the effects of interacting with materials and objects. They identify a range of habitats. They describe changes to things in their local environment and suggest how science helps people care for environments. Students make predictions, and investigate everyday phenomena. They follow instructions to record and sort their observations and share their observations with others. By the end of Year 2, students describe changes to objects, materials and living things. They identify that certain materials and resources have different uses and describe examples of where science is used in people’s daily lives. Students pose questions about their experiences and predict outcomes of investigations. They use informal measurements to make and compare observations. They follow instructions to record and represent their observations and communicate their ideas to others. By the end of Year 3, students use their understanding of the movement of the Earth, materials and the behaviour of heat to suggest explanations for everyday observations They describe features common to living things. They describe how they can use science investigations to respond to questions and identify where people use science knowledge in their lives. Students use their experiences to pose questions and predict the outcomes of investigations. They make formal measurements and follow procedures to collect and present observations in a way that helps to answer the investigation questions. Students suggest possible reasons for their findings. They describe how safety and fairness were considered in their investigations. They use diagrams and other representations to communicate their ideas. By the end of Year 4, students apply the observable properties of materials to explain how objects and materials can be used. They use contact and non-contact forces to describe interactions between objects. They discuss how natural and human processes cause changes to the Earth’s surface. They describe relationships that assist the survival of living things and sequence key stages in the life cycle of a plant or animal. They identify when science is used to ask questions and make predictions. They describe situations where science understanding can influence their own and others’ actions. Students follow instructions to identify investigable questions about familiar contexts and predict likely outcomes from investigations. They discuss ways to conduct investigations and safely use equipment to make and record observations. They use provided tables and simple column graphs to organise their data and identify patterns in data. Students suggest explanations for observations and compare their findings with their predictions. They suggest reasons why their methods were fair or not. They complete simple reports to communicate their methods and findings. By the end of Year 5, students classify substances according to their observable properties and behaviours. They explain everyday phenomena associated with the transfer of light. They describe the key features of our solar system. They analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments. Students discuss how scientific developments have affected people’s lives and how science knowledge develops from many people’s contributions. Students follow instructions to pose questions for investigation, predict what might happen when variables are changed, and plan investigation methods. They use equipment in ways that are safe and improve the accuracy of their observations. Students construct tables and graphs to organise data and identify patterns. They use patterns in their data to suggest explanations and refer to data when they report findings. They describe ways to improve the fairness of their methods and communicate their ideas, methods and findings using a range of text types. By the end of Year 6, students compare and classify different types of observable changes to materials. They analyse requirements for the transfer of electricity and describe how energy can be transformed from one form to another to generate electricity. They explain how natural events cause rapid change to the Earth’s surface. They describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things. Students explain how scientific knowledge is used in decision making and identify contributions to the development of science by people from a range of cultures. Students follow procedures to develop investigable questions and design investigations into simple cause-and-effect relationships. They identify variables to be changed and measured and describe potential safety risks when planning methods. They collect, organise and interpret their data, identifying where improvements to their methods or research could improve the data. They describe and analyse relationships in data using graphic representations and construct multi-modal texts to communicate ideas, methods and findings. By the end of Year 7, students describe techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They represent and predict the effects of unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravity, on motion. They explain how the relative positions of the Earth, sun and moon affect phenomena on Earth. They analyse how the sustainable use of resources depends on the way they are formed and cycle through Earth systems. They predict the effect of environmental changes on feeding relationships and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines has been used to solve a real-world problem. They explain how the solution was viewed by, and impacted on, different groups in society. Students identify questions that can be investigated scientifically. They plan fair experimental methods, identifying variables to be changed and measured. They select equipment that improves fairness and accuracy and describe how they considered safety. Students draw on evidence to support their conclusions. They summarise data from different sources, describe trends and refer to the quality of their data when suggesting improvements to their methods. They communicate their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations. !
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  Level Descriptor The ScienceInquiry Skills and Science as a Human Endeavour strands are described across a two-year band. In their planning, schools and teachers refer to the expectations outlined in the Achievement Standard and also to the content of the Science Understanding strand for the relevant year level to ensure that these two strands are addressed over the two- year period. The three strands of the curriculum are interrelated and their content is taught in an integrated way. The order and detail in which the content descriptions are organised into teaching/learning programs are decisions to be made by the teacher. Over Years 3 to 6, students develop their understanding of a range of systems operating at different time and geographic scales. In Year 4, students broaden their understanding of classification and form and function through an exploration of the properties of natural and processed materials. They learn that forces include non-contact forces and begin to appreciate that some interactions result from phenomena that can’t be seen with the naked eye. They begin to appreciate that current systems, such as Earth’s surface, have characteristics that have resulted from past changes and that living things form part of systems. They understand that some systems change in predictable ways, such as through cycles. They apply their knowledge to make predictions based on interactions within systems, including those involving the actions of humans. SCIENCE PLANNING OVERVIEW YEAR 4 Science Understanding (1 year) Science as a Human Endeavour (2 year) Science Inquiry Skills (2 year) Biological sciences Living things have life cycles (ACSSU072) Living things, including plants and animals, depend on each other and the environment to survive (ACSSU073) PLANTS IN ACTION & FRIENDS AND FOES Chemical sciences Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; These properties can influence their use (ACSSU074) MATERIAL WORLD & PACKAGE IT BETTER Earth and space sciences Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity (ACSSU075) BENEATH OUR FEET Physical sciences Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance (ACSSU076) SMOOTH MOVES Nature and development of science Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships (ACSHE061) Use and influence of science Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE062) Questioning and predicting With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge (ACSIS064) Planning and conducting Suggest ways to plan and conduct investigations to find answers to questions (ACSIS065) Safely use appropriate materials, tools or equipment to make and record observations, using formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS066) Processing and analysing data and information Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends (ACSIS068) Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings (ACSIS216) Evaluating Reflect on the investigation; including whether a test was fair or not (ACSIS069) Communicating Represent and communicate ideas and findings in a variety of ways such as diagrams, physical representations and simple reports (ACSIS071) By the end of Year 4, students apply the observable properties of materials to explain how objects and materials can be used. They use contact and non- contact forces to describe interactions between objects. They discuss how natural and human processes cause changes to the Earth’s surface. They describe relationships that assist the survival of living things and sequence key stages in the life cycle of a plant or animal. They identify when science is used to ask questions and make predictions. They describe situations where science understanding can influence their own and others’ actions. Students follow instructions to identify investigable questions about familiar contexts and predict likely outcomes from investigations. They discuss ways to conduct investigations and safely use equipment to make and record observations. They use provided tables and simple column graphs to organise their data and identify patterns in data. Students suggest explanations for observations and compare their findings with their predictions. They suggest reasons why their methods were fair or not. They complete simple reports to communicate their methods and findings Achievement Standard Year Overview
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  Planning for ACin Science