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• VCSSU003

  Objects are part of the world around us

  Elaborations

  • experiencing everyday objects around them and their properties, for example, colour, size, texture, smell
  • identifying some familiar objects, for example, by seeking, reaching or directing attention towards a preferred object

  VCSSU003 | Science | Level A | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU035

  The shape of objects will affect how they move

  Elaborations

  • investigating how the shape of an object affects how well it can roll or slide
  • investigating how the shape of a helicopter blade affects how long a model paper helicopter can stay in the air

  VCSSU035 | Science | Level D | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU060

  Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; these properties can influence their use

  Elaborations

  • describing a range of common materials, such as metals or plastics, and their uses
  • investigating a particular property across a range of materials
  • selecting materials for a specified use based on their properties

  VCSSU060 | Science | Levels 3 and 4 | Science Understanding | Chemical 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

• VCSSU127

  The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement

  Elaborations

  • recognising the major plates on a world map
  • considering the role of heat energy and convection currents in the movement of tectonic plates
  • modelling sea-floor spreading
  • relating the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activity to constructive and destructive plate boundaries
  • relating the extreme age and stability of a large part of the Australian continent to its plate tectonic history

  VCSSU127 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU073

  Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives

  Elaborations

  • exploring objects and devices that include parts that involve the reflection, absorption or refraction of light, for example, mirrors, sunglasses and prisms
  • considering how electricity and electrical appliances have changed the way some people live
  • considering how decisions are made to grow particular plants and crops depending on environmental conditions
  • considering how guidelines help to ensure the safe use of electrical devices
  • comparing the benefits of using solid, liquid or gaseous fuels to heat a home
  • designing shelters for living things that are exposed to changed or harsh environments, for example, as a result of bushfire or displacement

  VCSSU073 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU129

  The Universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems; the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the Universe

  Elaborations

  • identifying the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory, for example, Edwin Hubble’s observations and the detection of microwave radiation
  • recognising that the age of the Universe can be derived by applying knowledge of the Big Bang theory
  • describing how the evolution of the Universe, including the formation of galaxies and stars, has continued since the Big Bang

  VCSSU129 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• 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

• VCSSU013

  Objects can be the same or different and can look and feel different

  Elaborations

  • mixing and playing with various materials, for example, using sand and water to build sandcastles, or pouring water onto a sandy footpath to make a water track
  • exploring and manipulating variety of materials in structured and unstructured activities

  VCSSU013 | Science | Level B | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU132

  Energy flow in Earth’s atmosphere can be explained by the processes of heat transfer

  Elaborations

  • recognising that the Law of Conservation of Energy explains that total energy is maintained in energy transfers and transformations
  • recognising that in energy transfers and transformations, a number of steps can occur and the system is not 100% efficient so that usable energy is reduced
  • comparing energy changes in physical events, for example, car crashes, the motion of pendulums, lifting and dropping

  VCSSU132 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU119

  The transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes

  Elaborations

  • using models and diagrams to represent the relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes
  • describing mutations as changes in DNA or chromosomes and outlining the factors that contribute to causing mutations
  • recognising that genetic information passed on to offspring is from both parents and involves the processes of fertilisation and meiosis
  • representing patterns of inheritance of a simple dominant/recessive characteristic through generations of a family

  VCSSU119 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU081

  Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity; electric circuits enable this energy to be transferred to another place and then to be transformed into another form of energy

  Elaborations

  • recognising the need for a complete circuit to allow the flow of electricity
  • exploring circuit features, for example, wires and switches, and electrical devices, for example, light globes, LEDs and motors
  • investigating different electrical conductors and insulators
  • investigating how moving air and water can turn turbines to generate electricity
  • investigating how solar panels can generate electricity

  VCSSU081 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU091

  There are differences within and between groups of organisms; classification helps organise this diversity

  Elaborations

  • grouping a variety of organisms on the basis of similarities and differences in particular features
  • classifying using hierarchical systems, for example, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
  • using scientific conventions for naming species
  • using provided keys to identify organisms surveyed in a local habitat

  VCSSU091 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU099

  Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and the Moon

  Elaborations

  • comparing times for the rotation of Earth, Sun and Moon, and comparing the times for the orbits of Earth and the Moon
  • modelling the relative movements of the Earth, Sun and Moon and how natural phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses and phases of the Moon occur
  • explaining why different regions of Earth experience different seasonal conditions

  VCSSU099 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU101

  Water is an important resource that cycles through the environment

  Elaborations

  • considering the water cycle in terms of changes of state of water
  • investigating factors that influence the water cycle in nature
  • exploring how human management of water impacts on the water cycle

  VCSSU101 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU104

  Energy appears in different forms including movement (kinetic energy), heat, light, chemical energy and potential energy; devices can change energy from one form to another

  Elaborations

  • recognising that kinetic energy is the energy possessed by moving bodies
  • recognising that potential energy is stored energy, for example, gravitational, chemical and elastic energy
  • using flow diagrams to illustrate changes between different forms of energy
  • investigating the energy transformations in devices, for example, a catapult or a water wheel

  VCSSU104 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU049

  Light and sound are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed

  Elaborations

  • recognising senses are used to learn about the world around us: our eyes to detect light, our ears to detect sound, touch to feel vibrations, our noses to detect smell and our tongues to detect taste
  • identifying the Sun as a source of light
  • recognising that objects can be seen when light from sources is available to illuminate them
  • exploring different ways to produce sound using familiar objects and actions, for example, striking, blowing, scraping and shaking

  VCSSU049 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU047

  Earth’s resources are used in a variety of ways

  Elaborations

  • identifying Earth’s resources, including water, soil and minerals, and describing how they are used at school and in the home
  • considering what might happen to humans if there were a change in a familiar available resource, for example, water
  • identifying actions at school that can conserve resources, for example, turning off dripping taps

  VCSSU047 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU117

  Multicellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment

  Elaborations

  • describing how the requirements for life (oxygen, nutrients, water and removal of waste) are provided through the coordinated function of body systems, for example, the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous and excretory systems
  • explaining (using models, flow diagrams or simulations) how body systems work together to maintain a functioning body
  • investigating the response of the body to changes as a result of the presence of micro-organisms

  VCSSU117 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU005

  Objects can be moved and touched

  Elaborations

  • demonstrating an awareness of force by watching or causing objects to bounce, swing, roll or slide
  • demonstrating an awareness of energy by responding to a variety of phenomena, for example, flashing lights, noisy toys, mechanical objects moving

  VCSSU005 | Science | Level A | Science Understanding | Physical sciences