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• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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