Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Level 3

Filter
Filter

Science

Science Level Description

In Levels 3 and 4, the curriculum focus is on recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and undertaking investigations. Students observe heat and its effects on solids and liquids and begin to develop an understanding of energy flows through simple systems. In observing day and night, and investigating the life cycles of living things, they develop an understanding of the...

Show more

Science Content Descriptions

Science Understanding

Science as a human endeavour
  1. Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions (VCSSU056)
Biological sciences
  1. Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (VCSSU057)
  2. Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058)
Chemical sciences
  1. A change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat (VCSSU059)
  2. Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; these properties can influence their use (VCSSU060)
Earth and space sciences
  1. Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (VCSSU061)
  2. Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity (VCSSU062)
Physical sciences
  1. Heat can be produced in many ways and can move from one object to another; a change in the temperature of an object is related to the gain or loss of heat by the object (VCSSU063)
  2. Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance (VCSSU064)

Science Inquiry Skills

Questioning and predicting
  1. With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge (VCSIS065)
Planning and conducting
  1. Suggest ways to plan and conduct investigations to find answers to questions including consideration of the elements of fair tests (VCSIS066)
  2. Safely use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and technologies (VCSIS067)
Recording and processing
  1. Use formal measurements in the collection and recording of observations (VCSIS068)
  2. Use a range of methods including tables and column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends (VCSIS069)
Analysing and evaluating
  1. Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings (VCSIS070)
  2. Reflect on an investigation, including whether a test was fair or not (VCSIS071)
Communicating
  1. Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings to show patterns and relationships using formal and informal scientific language (VCSIS072)

Science Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 4, students describe situations where science understanding can influence their own and others’ actions. They explain the effects of Earth’s rotation on its axis. They distinguish between temperature and heat and use examples to illustrate how heat is produced and transferred. They explain how heat is involved in changes of state between solid and liquid. They link the physical properties of materials to their use. They discuss how natural and human processes cause changes to Earth’s surface. They use contact and non-contact forces to describe interactions between objects. They group living things based on observable features and distinguish them from non-living things. They describe relationships that assist the survival of living things. They compare the key stages in the life cycle of a plant and an animal and relate life cycles to growth and survival.

Students describe how they use science investigations to identify patterns and relationships and to respond to questions. They follow instructions to identify questions that they can investigate about familiar contexts and make predictions based on prior knowledge. They discuss ways to conduct investigations and suggest why a test was fair or not. They safely use equipment to make and record formal measurements and observations. They use provided tables and column graphs to organise and identify patterns and trends in data. Students suggest explanations for observations and compare their findings with their predictions. They use formal and informal scientific language to communicate their observations, methods and findings.

Scroll to the top of the page