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• VCSSU114

  Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community

  Elaborations

  • considering how ideas about disease transmission have changed from medieval time to the present as knowledge has developed
  • investigating the historical development of models of the structure of the atom
  • investigating how the theory of plate tectonics developed, based on evidence from seafloor spreading and occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activity
  • recognising the contribution of Australian scientists, for example, Brian Schmidt and Penny Sackett, in the exploration and study of the Universe

  VCSSU114 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• VCSSU133

  The description and explanation of the motion of objects involves the interaction of forces and the exchange of energy and can be described and predicted using the laws of physics

  Elaborations

  • recognising that a stationary object, or a moving object with constant motion, has balanced forces acting on it
  • gathering data to analyse everyday motion produced by forces, for example, measurements of distance and time, velocity, mass, acceleration and force
  • investigating the effects of applying different forces, including Earth's gravitational force, to familiar objects

  VCSSU133 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Physical 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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