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• VCSIS135

  Independently plan, select and use appropriate investigation types, including fieldwork and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data, assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these investigation types

  Elaborations

  • explaining the choice of variables to be controlled, changed and measured in an investigation
  • identifying and managing potential hazards of chemicals or biological materials used in experimental investigations or fieldwork
  • deciding how much data are needed to obtain reliable measurements
  • using modelling and simulations, including using digital technologies, to investigate situations and events
  • using the internet to facilitate collaboration in joint projects and discussions

  VCSIS135 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Planning and conducting

• VCSIS136

  Select and use appropriate equipment and technologies to systematically collect and record accurate and reliable data, and use repeat trials to improve accuracy, precision and reliability

  Elaborations

  • applying specific skills in the use of scientific instruments
  • selecting and using probes and data loggers to record information
  • identifying how human error can influence the reliability of data

  VCSIS136 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Planning and conducting

• VCSIS140

  Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations

  Elaborations

  • using secondary sources as well as students’ own findings to help explain a scientific concept
  • using a range of representations, including mathematical and symbolic forms, to communicate science ideas
  • presenting results and ideas using formal experimental reports, oral presentations, multimodal presentations, poster presentations and contributing to group discussions

  VCSIS140 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Communicating

• VCSIS137

  Construct and use a range of representations, including graphs, keys, models and formulas, to record and summarise data from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, to represent qualitative and quantitative patterns or relationships, and distinguish between discrete and continuous data

  Elaborations

  • using spreadsheets to present data in tables and graphical forms and to carry out mathematical analyses of data
  • designing and constructing appropriate graphs to represent data and to look for trends and patterns

  VCSIS137 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Recording and processing

• VCSIS139

  Use knowledge of scientific concepts to evaluate investigation conclusions, including assessing the approaches used to solve problems, critically analysing the validity of information obtained from primary and secondary sources, suggesting possible alternative explanations and describing specific...

  Elaborations

  • discussing what is meant by 'validity' and how we can evaluate the validity of information in secondary sources
  • judging the validity of science-related media reports and how these reports might be interpreted by the public
  • using primary or secondary scientific evidence to support or refute a conclusion or claim
  • suggesting more than one possible explanation of the data presented

  VCSIS139 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Analysing and evaluating

• VCSIS138

  Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables, identifying inconsistencies in data and sources of uncertainty, and drawing conclusions that are consistent with evidence

  Elaborations

  • exploring relationships between variables using spreadsheets, databases, tables, charts, graphs and statistics
  • describing data properties (for example mean, median, range, outliers, large gaps visible on a graph) and their significance for a particular investigation sample, acknowledging uncertainties

  VCSIS138 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Analysing and evaluating

• VCSIS134

  Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically, including identification of independent, dependent and controlled variables

  Elaborations

  • formulating questions that can be investigated within the scope of the classroom or field with available resources
  • developing ideas from students' own or others' investigations and experiences to investigate further
  • revising and refining research questions to target specific information and data collection or finding a solution to the specific problem identified

  VCSIS134 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Inquiry Skills | Questioning and predicting

• VCSSU123

  The atomic structure and properties of elements are used to organise them in the periodic table

  Elaborations

  • describing the structure of atoms in terms of electron shells
  • explaining how the electronic structure of an atom determines its position in the periodic table and its properties
  • investigating the chemical activity of metals

  VCSSU123 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU130

  Electric circuits can be designed for diverse purposes using different components; the operation of circuits can be explained by the concepts of voltage and current

  Elaborations

  • investigating parallel and series circuits and measuring voltage drops across and currents through various components
  • investigating the properties of components such as LEDs, and temperature and light sensors
  • comparing circuit design to household wiring
  • exploring the use of sensors in robotics and control devices

  VCSSU130 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU115

  Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries

  Elaborations

  • considering how the properties of electromagnetic radiation relate to its uses, for example, radar, medical diagnosis and treatment, mobile phone communications and microwave cooking
  • considering how information technology can be applied to different areas of science, for example, bioinformatics, the Square Kilometre Array, DNA sequencing and the analysis of radio astronomy signals
  • considering how computer modelling and imaging technologies has improved knowledge and predictability of phenomena, for example, climate change, atmospheric pollution, plate tectonic movement, and body system functions and interactions

  VCSSU115 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU120

  The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence

  Elaborations

  • describing biodiversity as a function of evolution
  • outlining processes involved in natural selection including variation, isolation and selection
  • investigating changes caused by natural selection in a particular population as a result of a specified selection pressure, for example, artificial selection in breeding for desired characteristics
  • evaluating and interpreting evidence for evolution, including the fossil record, chemical and anatomical similarities, and the geographical distribution of species

  VCSSU120 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU131

  The interaction of magnets can be explained by a field model; magnets are used in the generation of electricity and the operation of motors

  Elaborations

  • investigating the action at a distance or the field model around magnets of different shapes
  • investigating the movement of a magnet and a wire to produce electricity
  • investigating the effect of a magnet on a current from a battery to produce movement

  VCSSU131 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU118

  An animal’s response to a stimulus is coordinated by its central nervous system (brain and spinal cord); neurons transmit electrical impulses and are connected by synapses

  Elaborations

  • identifying functions for different areas of the brain
  • modelling the 'knee jerk' reaction and explaining why it is a reflex action
  • identifying responses involving the nervous and endocrine systems
  • researching the causes and effects of spinal cord damage

  VCSSU118 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU125

  Different types of chemical reactions are used to produce a range of products and can occur at different rates; chemical reactions may be represented by balanced chemical equations

  Elaborations

  • investigating how chemical reactions result in the production of a range of useful substances, for example, fuels, metals and pharmaceuticals
  • using word or symbol equations to represent chemical reactions
  • investigating the effect of a range of factors, for example, temperature and catalysts, on the rate of chemical reactions

  VCSSU125 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU128

  Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere

  Elaborations

  • modelling a nutrient cycle within the biosphere, for example, the carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus cycle
  • investigating how human activity affects global systems
  • distinguishing between 'natural' and 'enhanced' greenhouse effects
  • investigating the effect of climate change on sea levels and biodiversity

  VCSSU128 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU126

  Chemical reactions, including combustion and the reactions of acids, are important in both non-living and living systems and involve energy transfer

  Elaborations

  • investigating a range of different reactions to classify them as exothermic or endothermic
  • comparing respiration and photosynthesis and their role in biological processes
  • investigating reactions of acids with metals, bases, and carbonates

  VCSSU126 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU124

  Chemical reactions involve rearranging atoms to form new substances; during a chemical reaction mass is not created or destroyed

  Elaborations

  • modelling chemical reactions in terms of rearrangement of atoms
  • considering the role of energy in chemical reactions
  • recognising that the conservation of mass in a chemical reaction can be demonstrated by simple chemical equations

  VCSSU124 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU121

  Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems

  Elaborations

  • exploring interactions between organisms, for example, predator/prey, parasites, competitors, pollinators and disease vectors
  • using modelling to examine factors that affect population sizes, for example, seasonal changes, destruction of habitats, introduced species
  • investigating how ecosystems change as a result of environmental change, for example, bushfires, drought and flooding

  VCSSU121 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU122

  All matter is made of atoms which are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons; natural radioactivity arises from the decay of nuclei in atoms

  Elaborations

  • describing and modelling the structure of atoms in terms of the nucleus, protons, neutrons and electrons
  • comparing the mass and charge of protons, neutrons and electrons
  • describing in simple terms how alpha and beta particles and gamma radiation are released from unstable atoms

  VCSSU122 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU116

  The values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research

  Elaborations

  • investigating how social actions have led to changed government policies and social behavioural change in relation to the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol spray cans
  • considering how choices related to the use of fuels are influenced by environmental, social and political considerations
  • considering the use of genetic testing for decisions such as genetic counselling, embryo selection, identification of carriers of genetic mutations and the use of this information for personal use or by organisation such as insurance companies or medical facilities

  VCSSU116 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour