In Level A, students learn that their senses can help them understand the world around them and the objects within it. They experience a range of activities that will assist them to attend to and explore the world around them with as much independence as possible. They are exposed to and encouraged to move from a pre-intentional to intentional state, and react to everyday objects, materials and living things. They are exposed to change in the world around them, including changes that impact on them, for example the weather, and changes they can effect, for example making things move or change shape. They use their senses to gather different types of information and learn to initiate and refine their responses to familiar objects and the world around them.
By the end of Level A, students react to the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. They react to environmental changes and respond to their effects through a positive or negative response. Students initiate and communicate a response to, or acceptance or rejection of, familiar objects and events.
In Level B, students play and use structured activities to make observations and use their senses to investigate the behaviours and properties of everyday objects, materials and living things. They explore change in the world around them, including changes that impact on them, for example the weather, and changes they can effect, for example making things move or change shape. They use their senses to gather information and learn that explorations and observations are a core part of science.
By the end of Level B, students can identify some familiar objects. They actively explore the properties of familiar objects and deliberately initiate a cause to achieve the expected effect. In structured situations, teachers assist the student to record observations of the weather, familiar objects and events using real objects and visual aids. They communicate their choices and indicate ‘yes’ and ‘no’ responses to simple questions.
In Level C, students intentionally participate in investigations that require them to explore, observe and identify properties of everyday objects, materials and living things. They explore change in the world around them, including changes that impact on them, for example the weather, and changes they can effect, for example making things move or change shape. They use their senses to gather information and learn that exploring questions and making observations are a core part of science.
By the end of Level C, students participate in structured investigations that look at the names and properties of living things and objects. They label, sort and group objects based on one specific property or characteristic. Students share discoveries through alternative augmentative communication and the use of objects, images and pictures.
In Level D, students are building their independence to observe and share what they discover about the characteristics and properties of everyday objects, materials and living things. They explore change in the world around them, including changes that impact on them, for example the weather, and changes they can effect, for example making things move or change shape. They use their senses to gather information and learn that investigating objects, asking questions, seeking answers to questions and making observations are a core part of science.
By the end of Level D, students can identify and label many familiar objects and indicate some of their properties by using gestures, words, images and objects. They can sort objects based on two properties and can identify key characteristics of familiar plants and animals. Students can identify some ways the weather affects the environment and their clothing choices. Students share and demonstrate their understanding of objects and events through images, pictures, alternative and augmentative communication and simple statements.
In Foundation to Level 2, the curriculum focus is on awareness of self and the local world. Students observe changes that can be large or small and happen quickly or slowly. They explore the properties of familiar objects and phenomena, identifying similarities and differences. Students observe patterns of growth and change in the world around them, including weather and living things. They...
In Foundation to Level 2, the curriculum focus is on awareness of self and the local world. Students observe changes that can be large or small and happen quickly or slowly. They explore the properties of familiar objects and phenomena, identifying similarities and differences. Students observe patterns of growth and change in the world around them, including weather and living things. They explore the use of resources from Earth and are introduced to the idea of the flow of matter when considering how water is used. Students describe the components of simple systems, such as stationary objects subjected to pushes or pulls, or combinations of materials, and show how objects and materials interact through direct manipulation. They learn that seeking answers to questions and making observations is a core part of science and use their senses to gather different types of information. They infer simple cause and effect relationships from their observations and experiences, and link events and phenomena with observable effects. Students use counting and informal measurements to make and compare observations and begin to recognise that organising these observations, including in pictograms and in tables, makes it easier to show and describe patterns. They use patterns to make predictions about phenomena.
By the end of Level 2, students describe examples of how people use science in their daily lives. They identify and describe examples of the external features and basic needs of living things. They describe how different places meet the needs of living things. They describe the properties, behaviour, uses and the effects of interacting with familiar materials and objects. They discuss how light and sound can be produced and sensed. They identify and describe the changes to objects, materials, resources, living things and things in their local environment. They suggest how the environment affects them and other living things.
Students pose and respond to questions about familiar objects and events and predict outcomes of investigations. They use their senses to explore the world around them and record informal measurements to make and compare observations. They record, sort and represent their observations and communicate their ideas to others.
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...
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 regularity and predictability of cycles. Students order their observations by grouping and classifying and in classifying things as living or nonliving they begin to recognise that classifications are not always easy to define or apply. Their understanding of classification and form and function is broadened through an exploration of the properties of natural and processed materials. They learn that forces include noncontact forces and begin to appreciate that some interactions result from phenomena that can’t be seen with the naked eye. They begin to appreciate that current systems, such as Earth’s surface, have characteristics that have resulted from past changes and that living things form part of systems. They begin to quantify their observations to enable comparison, and learn more sophisticated ways of identifying and representing relationships, including the use of tables and graphs to identify trends. They use their understanding of relationships between components of simple systems to make predictions. They apply their knowledge to make predictions based on interactions within systems, including those involving the actions of humans.
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.
In Levels 5 and 6, the curriculum focus is on recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and undertaking investigations. Students explore how changes can be classified in different ways. Students are introduced to cause-and-effect relationships that relate to form and function through an exploration of adaptations of living things. They explore observable phenomena associated...
In Levels 5 and 6, the curriculum focus is on recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and undertaking investigations. Students explore how changes can be classified in different ways. Students are introduced to cause-and-effect relationships that relate to form and function through an exploration of adaptations of living things. They explore observable phenomena associated with light and begin to appreciate that phenomena have sets of characteristic behaviours. They broaden their classification of matter to include gases and begin to see how matter structures the world around them. Students develop a view of Earth as a dynamic system, in which changes in one aspect of the system impact on other aspects. They consider Earth as a component within a solar system and use models for investigating systems at astronomical scales. Students begin to identify stable and dynamic aspects of systems, and learn how to look for patterns and relationships between components of systems. Students learn about transfer and transformations of electricity, and continue to develop an understanding of energy flows through systems. They link their experiences of electric circuits as a system at one scale, to generation of electricity from a variety of sources at another scale and begin to see links between these systems. Similarly, they see that the growth and survival of living things are dependent on matter and energy flows within a larger system. Students begin to see the role of independent, dependent and controlled variables in performing experimental investigations and learn how to look for patterns and relationships between variables. They develop explanations for the patterns they observe, drawing on evidence.
By the end of Level 6, students explain how scientific knowledge is used in decision making and develops from many people’s contributions. They discuss how scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions affect peoples’ lives. They compare the properties and behaviours of solids, liquids and gases. They compare observable changes to materials and classify these changes as reversible or irreversible. They explain everyday phenomena associated with the absorption, reflection and refraction of light. They compare different ways in which energy can be transformed from one form to another to generate electricity and evaluate their suitability for particular purposes. They construct electric circuits and distinguish between open and closed circuits. They explain how natural events cause rapid change to Earth’s surface and use models to describe the key features of our Solar System. They analyse how structural and behavioural adaptations of living things enhance their survival, and predict and describe the effect of environmental changes on individual living things.
Students follow procedures to develop questions that they can investigate and design investigations into simple cause-and-effect relationships. When planning experimental methods, they identify and justify the variables they choose to change and measure in fair tests. They make predictions based on previous experiences or general rules. They identify and manage potential safety risks. They make and record accurate observations as tables, diagrams or descriptions. They organise data into tables and graphs to identify and analyse patterns and relationships. They compare patterns in data with their predictions when explaining their findings. They suggest where improvements to their experimental methods or research could improve the quality of their data. They refer to data when they report findings and use appropriate representations and simple reports to communicate their ideas, methods, findings and explanations.
In Levels 7 and 8, the curriculum focus is on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications. Students explain the role of classification in ordering and organising information about living and non-living things. They classify the diversity of life on Earth into major taxonomic groups and consider how the classification of renewable and non-renewable resources depends on the timescale...
In Levels 7 and 8, the curriculum focus is on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications. Students explain the role of classification in ordering and organising information about living and non-living things. They classify the diversity of life on Earth into major taxonomic groups and consider how the classification of renewable and non-renewable resources depends on the timescale considered. Students classify different forms of energy, and describe the role of energy in causing change in systems, including the role of heat and kinetic energy in the rock cycle. They use and develop models including food chains, food webs and the water cycle to represent and analyse the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems and explore the impact of changing components within these systems. Students investigate relationships in the Earth-Sun-Moon system and use models to predict and explain astronomical phenomena. They explain changes in an object’s motion by considering the interaction between multiple forces. Students link form and function at a cellular level and explore the organisation and interconnectedness of body systems. Similarly, they explore changes in matter at a particle level, and distinguish between chemical and physical change. Students make accurate measurements and control variables in experiments to analyse relationships between system components and explore and explain these relationships using appropriate representations. They make predictions and propose explanations, drawing on evidence to support their views.
By the end of Level 8, students explain how evidence has led to an improved understanding of a scientific idea. They discuss how science knowledge can be applied to generate solutions to contemporary problems and explain how these solutions may impact on society. They investigate different forms of energy and explain how energy transfers and transformations cause change in simple systems. They use examples to illustrate how light forms images. They use a wave model to explain the properties of sound. They use the particle model to predict, compare and explain the physical and chemical properties and behaviours of substances. They describe and apply techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They provide evidence for observed chemical changes in terms of colour change, heat change, gas production and precipitate formation. They analyse the relationship between structure and function at cell, organ and body system levels. They identify and classify living things. They explain how living organisms can be classified into major taxonomic groups based on observable similarities and differences. They predict the effect of environmental changes on feeding relationships between...
By the end of Level 8, students explain how evidence has led to an improved understanding of a scientific idea. They discuss how science knowledge can be applied to generate solutions to contemporary problems and explain how these solutions may impact on society. They investigate different forms of energy and explain how energy transfers and transformations cause change in simple systems. They use examples to illustrate how light forms images. They use a wave model to explain the properties of sound. They use the particle model to predict, compare and explain the physical and chemical properties and behaviours of substances. They describe and apply techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They provide evidence for observed chemical changes in terms of colour change, heat change, gas production and precipitate formation. They analyse the relationship between structure and function at cell, organ and body system levels. They identify and classify living things. They explain how living organisms can be classified into major taxonomic groups based on observable similarities and differences. They predict the effect of environmental changes on feeding relationships between organisms in a food web. They distinguish between different types of simple machines and predict, represent and analyse the effects of unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravity, on motion. They compare processes of rock formation, including the time scales involved, and analyse how the sustainable use of resources depends on the way they are formed and cycle through Earth systems. They model how the relative positions of Earth, the Sun and the Moon affect phenomena on Earth.
Students identify and construct questions and problems that they can investigate scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge. They plan experiments, identifying variables to be changed, measured and controlled. They consider accuracy and ethics when planning investigations, including designing field or experimental methods. Students summarise data from different sources and construct representations of their data to reveal and analyse patterns and relationships, and use these when justifying their conclusions. They explain how modifications to methods could improve the quality of their data and apply their scientific knowledge and investigation findings to evaluate claims made by others. They use appropriate scientific language, representations and simple word equations to communicate science ideas, methods and findings.
In Levels 9 and 10, the curriculum focus is on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications. Students consider both classic and contemporary science contexts to explain the operation of systems at a range of scales. At a microscopic scale, they consider the atom as a system of protons, electrons and neutrons, and understand how this system can change through nuclear decay. They...
In Levels 9 and 10, the curriculum focus is on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications. Students consider both classic and contemporary science contexts to explain the operation of systems at a range of scales. At a microscopic scale, they consider the atom as a system of protons, electrons and neutrons, and understand how this system can change through nuclear decay. They learn that matter can be rearranged through chemical change and that these changes play an important role in many systems. At a macroscopic scale, they explore ways in which the human body as a system responds to its external environment, and investigate the interdependencies between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. They develop a more sophisticated view of energy transfer by applying the concept of the conservation of matter in a variety of contexts. They apply their understanding of energy and forces to global systems including continental movement. Students explore the biological, chemical, geological and physical evidence for different theories, including the theories of natural selection and the Big Bang theory. Atomic theory is used to understand relationships within the periodic table of elements. Students understand that motion and forces are related by applying physical laws. Relationships between aspects of the living, physical and chemical world are applied to systems on a local and global scale enabling students to predict how changes will affect equilibrium within these systems.
By the end of Level 10, students analyse how models and theories have developed over time and discuss the factors that prompted their review. They predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives. They explain the concept of energy conservation and model energy transfer and transformation within systems. They analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to the interdependencies between individual components, energy transfers and flows of matter. They evaluate the evidence for scientific theories that explain the origin of the Universe and the diversity of life on Earth. They explain the role of DNA and genes in cell division and genetic inheritance. They apply geological timescales to elaborate their explanations of both natural selection and evolution. They explain how similarities in the chemical behaviour of elements and their compounds and their atomic structures are represented in the way the periodic table has been constructed. They compare the properties of a range of elements representative of the major groups and periods in the periodic table. They use atomic symbols and balanced chemical equations...
By the end of Level 10, students analyse how models and theories have developed over time and discuss the factors that prompted their review. They predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives. They explain the concept of energy conservation and model energy transfer and transformation within systems. They analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to the interdependencies between individual components, energy transfers and flows of matter. They evaluate the evidence for scientific theories that explain the origin of the Universe and the diversity of life on Earth. They explain the role of DNA and genes in cell division and genetic inheritance. They apply geological timescales to elaborate their explanations of both natural selection and evolution. They explain how similarities in the chemical behaviour of elements and their compounds and their atomic structures are represented in the way the periodic table has been constructed. They compare the properties of a range of elements representative of the major groups and periods in the periodic table. They use atomic symbols and balanced chemical equations to summarise chemical reactions, including neutralisation and combustion. They explain natural radioactivity in terms of atoms and energy change. They explain how different factors influence the rate of reactions. They explain global features and events in terms of geological processes and timescales, and describe and analyse interactions and cycles within and between Earth’s spheres. They give both qualitative and quantitative explanations of the relationships between distance, speed, acceleration, mass and force to predict and explain motion. They use the concepts of voltage and current to explain the operation of electric circuits and use a field model to explain interactions between magnets.
Students develop questions and hypotheses that can be investigated using a range of inquiry skills. They independently design and improve appropriate methods of investigation including the control and accurate measurement of variables and systematic collection of data. They explain how they have considered reliability, precision, safety, fairness and ethics in their methods and identify where digital technologies can be used to enhance the quality of data. They analyse trends in data, explain relationships between variables and identify sources of uncertainty. When selecting evidence and developing and justifying conclusions, they account for inconsistencies in results and identify alternative explanations for findings. Students evaluate the validity and reliability of claims made in secondary sources with reference to currently held scientific views, the quality of the methodology and the evidence cited. They construct evidence-based arguments and use appropriate scientific language, representations and balanced chemical equations when communicating their findings and ideas for specific purposes.
