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• VCSSU057

  Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things

  Elaborations

  • exploring differences between living, once living and products of living things
  • identifying variations in the features of plants, for example, colour and shape of leaves, or types of flowers
  • identifying variations in the features of animals, for example, body covering, ear shapes or number of legs

  VCSSU057 | Science | Levels 3 and 4 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU064

  Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance

  Elaborations

  • exploring how non-contact forces are similar to contact forces in terms of objects pushing and pulling another object
  • investigating the effect of forces on the behaviour of an object through different actions, for example, throwing, dropping, bouncing and rolling
  • comparing and contrasting the effect of friction on different surfaces, for example, the abrasion of tyres and shoes on a range of surfaces
  • exploring the forces of attraction and repulsion between magnets

  VCSSU064 | Science | Levels 3 and 4 | Science Understanding | Physical 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

• VCSSU098

  Chemical change involves substances reacting to form new substances

  Elaborations

  • identifying the differences between chemical and physical changes
  • identifying evidence that a chemical change has taken place
  • investigating simple reactions, for example, combining elements to make a compound

  VCSSU098 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU015

  Objects can be changed and manipulated

  Elaborations

  • exploring the effects that simple physical actions have on everyday objects, for example, pushing a toy car to make it move, letting go of an inflated balloon, dropping a ball
  • investigating how objects can change shape, for example, by squeezing, tearing, twisting, pulling, dropping

  VCSSU015 | Science | Level B | Science Understanding | Physical 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

• VCSSU097

  Differences between elements, compounds and mixtures can be described by using a particle model

  Elaborations

  • modelling the arrangement of particles in elements and compounds
  • recognising that elements and simple compounds can be represented by symbols and formulas
  • explaining why elements and compounds can be represented by chemical formulas while mixtures cannot

  VCSSU097 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU105

  Light can form images using the reflective feature of curved mirrors and the refractive feature of lenses, and can disperse to produce a spectrum which is part of a larger spectrum of radiation

  Elaborations

  • exploring how images can change when the arrangement of the mirror or lens system is altered
  • exploring the mechanism of the human eye and corrective technologies
  • observing the spread and order of colours in the visible spectrum
  • describing the different types of radiation in the larger spectrum of radiation

  VCSSU105 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU044

  Objects are made of materials that have observable properties

  Elaborations

  • sorting and grouping materials on the basis of observable properties such as colour, texture and flexibility
  • comparing the traditional materials used for clothing from around the world
  • thinking about how the materials used in buildings and shelters are suited to the local environment

  VCSSU044 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU089

  Scientific knowledge and understanding of the world changes as new evidence becomes available; science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines and practice of science

  Elaborations

  • investigating how advances in telescopes and space probes have provided new evidence about space
  • investigating how the development of microscopes has changed understanding of cell function and malfunction, and how this has led to improved medical treatments for disease
  • investigating how knowledge of the location and extraction of mineral resources relies on expertise from across the disciplines of science
  • considering how advances in technology, combined with scientific understanding of the functioning of body systems, has enabled organ repair and replacement
  • investigating how land management practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can help inform sustainable management of the environment

  VCSSU089 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• 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

• VCSSU048

  The way objects move depends on a variety of factors including their size and shape: a push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape

  Elaborations

  • observing the way different shaped objects move, such as balls, blocks and tubes
  • comparing the way different sized, but similar shaped, objects roll and bounce, such as tennis balls, golf balls, marbles and basketballs
  • observing how the movement of different living things depends on their size and shape
  • exploring how different strengths of pushes and pulls affect the movement of objects
  • identifying toys from different cultures that use the forces of push or pull

  VCSSU048 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU079

  Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface

  Elaborations

  • investigating major geological events, for example, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis
  • recognising that earthquakes can cause tsunamis
  • considering the effect of drought on living and non-living aspects of the environment

  VCSSU079 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU004

  Changes in the world around us can affect responses

  Elaborations

  • making decisions about clothing, location and activity based on their reaction to, and changes in, the weather
  • demonstrating an awareness of the time of day by responding to activities associated with different times of the day, for example, eating lunch, getting dressed to go to school, packing bags to go home

  VCSSU004 | Science | Level A | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU033

  Objects can be sorted into groups based on their properties, and some objects can be mixed and changed

  Elaborations

  • investigating objects and materials and sorting into groups based on two attributes, for example, food or drink, hot or cold, big or small
  • investigating what familiar objects are made from, including their parts and materials

  VCSSU033 | Science | Level D | Science Understanding | Chemical sciences

• VCSSU094

  Multicellular organisms contain systems of organs that carry out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce

  Elaborations

  • examining the specialised cells and tissues involved in structure and function of particular organs
  • describing the structure of each organ in a system and relating its function to the overall function of the system
  • identifying the organs and overall function of a system of a multicellular organism in supporting life processes
  • comparing reproductive systems of organisms
  • comparing similar systems in different organisms, for example, digestive systems in herbivores and carnivores, respiratory systems in fish and mammals

  VCSSU094 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU021

  Objects and parts of the world around us have names and particular characteristics

  Elaborations

  • beginning to categorise some familiar substances, for example, cup (plastic), animal (furry), bird (feathered)
  • recognising and beginning to use alternative and augmentative communication or words that describe an object and the characteristics of substances, for example, hard, soft, fast, slow

  VCSSU021 | Science | Level C | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU041

  People use science in their daily lives

  Elaborations

  • monitoring information about the environment and Earth's resources, for example, rainfall, water levels and temperature
  • identifying the ways humans manage and protect resources, for example, reducing waste and conserving water

  VCSSU041 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU062

  Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity

  Elaborations

  • considering how different human activities cause erosion of Earth's surface
  • considering the effect of events such as floods and extreme weather on landscapes
  • exploring a local area that has changed as a result of natural processes, for example, an eroded gully, sand dunes or river banks

  VCSSU062 | Science | Levels 3 and 4 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU024

  Weather involves sun, rain, wind and clouds and can be hot, cold and warm

  Elaborations

  • responding to questions related to the weather, for example, ‘Do you think it will rain?’, ‘Do you feel hot?, ‘Is it snowing?’
  • identifying and sorting pictures and objects into 'hot' and 'cold' weather activities

  VCSSU024 | Science | Level C | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences