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• Science: Levels 7 and 8 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 8, students explain how evidence has led to an improved understanding of a scientific idea. They discuss how science knowledge can be applied to generate solutions to contemporary problems and explain how these solutions may impact on society. They investigate different forms...

  Level description | Science | Levels 7 and 8

• Science: Levels 7 and 8 description

  In Levels 7 and 8, the curriculum focus is on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications. Students explain the role of classification in ordering and organising information about living and non-living things. They classify the diversity of life on Earth into major taxonomic groups...

  Level description | Science

• VCSIS110

  Construct and use a range of representations including graphs, keys and models to record and summarise data from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and to represent and analyse patterns and relationships

  Elaborations

  • understanding different types of diagrammatic, graphical and physical representations and considering their strengths and limitations
  • comparing and contrasting data from a number of sources in order to create a summary of collected data
  • using diagrammatic representations to convey abstract ideas and to simplify complex situations

  VCSIS110 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Recording and processing

• VCSIS113

  Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems including identifying impacts and limitations of conclusions and using appropriate scientific language and representations

  Elaborations

  • using digital technologies to access information, to communicate and collaborate with others on and off site and to present science ideas
  • selecting and using appropriate language and representations to communicate science ideas within a specified text type and for a specified audience

  VCSIS113 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Communicating

• VCSIS112

  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

  Elaborations

  • identifying and considering indicators of the quality of the data when analysing results
  • discussing investigation methods with others to share ideas about the quality of the inquiry processes used
  • suggesting improvements to investigation methods that would improve the accuracy of the data recorded

  VCSIS112 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Analysing and evaluating

• VCSIS107

  Identify questions, problems and claims that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge

  Elaborations

  • considering whether an investigation using available resources is possible when identifying questions or problems to investigate
  • using information and knowledge from their own investigations and secondary sources to predict the expected results from an investigation
  • recognising that the solution of some questions and problems may require consideration of social, cultural, economic or moral factors in addition to results from scientific investigation

  VCSIS107 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Questioning and predicting

• VCSIS111

  Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to identify relationships, evaluate claims and draw conclusions

  Elaborations

  • identifying data that provides evidence to support or refute the hypothesis being tested
  • drawing conclusions based on a range of evidence including from primary and secondary sources

  VCSIS111 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Analysing and evaluating

• VCSIS108

  Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed

  Elaborations

  • identifying whether the use of their own observations and experiments or the use of other research materials is appropriate for their investigation
  • using simulations and identifying their strengths and limitations
  • developing strategies and techniques for effective research using secondary sources, including use of the internet

  VCSIS108 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Planning and conducting

• VCSIS109

  In fair tests, measure and control variables, and select equipment to collect data with accuracy appropriate to the task

  Elaborations

  • taking into consideration all aspects of fair testing, available equipment, safe investigation and ethical considerations when planning investigations
  • identifying and explaining the differences between controlled, dependent and independent variables
  • using specialised equipment to increase the accuracy of measurement within an investigation

  VCSIS109 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Inquiry Skills | Planning and conducting

• VCSSU102

  Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales

  Elaborations

  • recognising that rocks are a collection of different minerals
  • considering the role of forces and energy in the formation of different types of rocks and minerals
  • identifying a range of common rock types using keys based on observable physical and chemical properties

  VCSSU102 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU092

  Cells are the basic units of living things and have specialised structures and functions

  Elaborations

  • examining a variety of cells using a light microscope, by digital technology or by viewing a simulation
  • distinguishing plant cells from animal and fungal cells
  • identifying structures within cells and describing their function
  • recognising that some organisms consist of a single cell

  VCSSU092 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU106

  The properties of sound can be explained by a wave model

  Elaborations

  • describing how sounds are produced by different musical instruments
  • measuring the speed of sound
  • using a wave model to describe the measured properties of sound, wavelength and frequency

  VCSSU106 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU093

  Interactions between organisms can be described in terms of food chains and food webs and can be affected by human activity

  Elaborations

  • constructing and interpreting food chains and food webs to show relationships between organisms in an environment
  • recognising the role of microorganisms within food chains and food webs
  • researching examples of human impacts on specific ecosystems, for example, the use of fire by traditional Aboriginal people, the effects of palm oil harvesting, deforestation, agricultural practices or the introduction of new species

  VCSSU093 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU098

  Chemical change involves substances reacting to form new substances

  Elaborations

  • identifying the differences between chemical and physical changes
  • identifying evidence that a chemical change has taken place
  • investigating simple reactions, for example, combining elements to make a compound

  VCSSU098 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU097

  Differences between elements, compounds and mixtures can be described by using a particle model

  Elaborations

  • modelling the arrangement of particles in elements and compounds
  • recognising that elements and simple compounds can be represented by symbols and formulas
  • explaining why elements and compounds can be represented by chemical formulas while mixtures cannot

  VCSSU097 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU105

  Light can form images using the reflective feature of curved mirrors and the refractive feature of lenses, and can disperse to produce a spectrum which is part of a larger spectrum of radiation

  Elaborations

  • exploring how images can change when the arrangement of the mirror or lens system is altered
  • exploring the mechanism of the human eye and corrective technologies
  • observing the spread and order of colours in the visible spectrum
  • describing the different types of radiation in the larger spectrum of radiation

  VCSSU105 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU089

  Scientific knowledge and understanding of the world changes as new evidence becomes available; science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines and practice of science

  Elaborations

  • investigating how advances in telescopes and space probes have provided new evidence about space
  • investigating how the development of microscopes has changed understanding of cell function and malfunction, and how this has led to improved medical treatments for disease
  • investigating how knowledge of the location and extraction of mineral resources relies on expertise from across the disciplines of science
  • considering how advances in technology, combined with scientific understanding of the functioning of body systems, has enabled organ repair and replacement
  • investigating how land management practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can help inform sustainable management of the environment

  VCSSU089 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU094

  Multicellular organisms contain systems of organs that carry out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce

  Elaborations

  • examining the specialised cells and tissues involved in structure and function of particular organs
  • describing the structure of each organ in a system and relating its function to the overall function of the system
  • identifying the organs and overall function of a system of a multicellular organism in supporting life processes
  • comparing reproductive systems of organisms
  • comparing similar systems in different organisms, for example, digestive systems in herbivores and carnivores, respiratory systems in fish and mammals

  VCSSU094 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU090

  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

  Elaborations

  • considering decisions made in relation to the recycling of greywater and blackwater
  • investigating strategies implemented to maintain part of the local environment, such as bushland, a beach, a lake, a desert or a shoreline
  • investigating the development of vehicles over time, including the application of science and technology to the designs of solar-powered or electric vehicles
  • relating regulations about wearing seatbelts or safety helmets to knowledge of forces and motion
  • discussing ethical issues that arise from organ transplantation

  VCSSU090 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU095

  Mixtures, including solutions, contain a combination of pure substances that can be separated using a range of techniques

  Elaborations

  • recognising the differences between pure substances and mixtures and identifying examples of each
  • identifying the solvent and solute in solutions
  • investigating and using a range of physical separation techniques such as filtration, decantation, evaporation, crystallisation, chromatography and distillation
  • exploring and comparing separation methods used in the home

  VCSSU095 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences