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Listed under:  Science  >  Scientific inquiry
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Energy

In this unit of work, students develop their skills in working scientifically and their understanding of sound energy and energy transformations.

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Material world – ES1

In this lesson sequence, students investigate how the properties of materials determine their use in design solutions while introducing students to the material sciences and design thinking. Student investigate, plan and design a chair for their favourite teddy or doll to sit next to them while they are completing their ...

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Physical world – design and production investigation

In this lesson sequence, students work in pairs to explore how light energy from the sun is converted to heat energy to cook food using a solar oven. They investigate types of solar oven designs while exploring materials that are the most efficient in achieving heat absorption and insulation. Students collect, analyse ...

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Physical world – design and production investigation

In this investigative task, students explore how light energy sources are used for shadow theatre design and how forces are used to create movement in shadow puppets for entertainment and storytelling. Students investigate how forces and light energy create changes by students making, testing and presenting a model shadow ...

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The Manual: Butterfly Gardening in South Australia

This Manual assists teachers and students establish butterfly gardens in their schoolgrounds. It provides information about butterfly lifecycles, habitats, adaptations, and requirements to live. The manual also provides local Indigenous perspectives of butterflies, along with useful links to websites. The manual accompanies ...

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Outdoor Shadows

This activity invites students to explore how outside shadows changes over time and relate this to the movement of the Sun and Earth. Students are asked to go outside and trace an outline of their shadow, wait a while, try again, and observe and record how their shadow has changed. The activity includes a list of tools ...

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Are we living sustainably?

This unit of eight lessons poses the question ‘Are we living sustainably?’ Students use prompts to draw on their prior knowledge to explain what they already know about sustainability. They then investigate why water is precious, explore how water is used around their school and at home. Students then research ways that ...

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Going nuclear

In this unit students are guided to complete a short investigation into the considerations of siting a nuclear power station and then submitting a brief report and reflection.

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Working scientifically and physical world – The cooling rate of water

This activity challenges students to plan and undertake an investigation into what affects the cooling rate of hot water. The task is intended to be a formative skill-based task which aims at providing feedback to students as well as allowing students the opportunity to self-reflect on the completion of a practical task.

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Physical world – design and production investigation

In this investigative task, students explore how rolling objects are affected by changes in forces including stopping, starting, rolling faster and slower and in different directions. They explore the effects of force on objects by designing a marble push course. Using a straw to exhale (push) air, students manoeuvre a ...

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Biomimicry glider

In this lesson students explore the dynamics of flight by examining animal adaptations and apply their learning to think like an aeronautical engineer and design their own glider

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Living world – Stage 1

In this lesson sequence, students focus on the observable features of living things and their environment. Students follow and represent sequences of steps and decisions (algorithms) to solve problems.

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Physical world

This learning activity about reflection and refraction of light is designed to investigate how students work together as a team to apply the scientific knowledge and skills they have learned during class to a new or novel situation. This requires a particular focus in teaching the students explicit teamwork, leadership ...

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Earth and space – Stage 2

In this lesson sequence, students investigate some natural processes and human activities that cause erosion. The sequence uses a balance of synchronous and asynchronous learning strategies. The tasks provide options for students with and without technology. The sequence includes a student workbook and advice for parents ...

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Carbon is child's play

Carbon is all around us and makes up every living thing. This unit investigates the basic science of carbon in living things and build awareness of the science of the carbon cycle and its importance to our daily lives and the planet. The unit includes PDF resources and video quiz challenges for teachers and student and ...

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The Conversation: research ethics collection

This is a series of short articles on the topic of research ethics and the scientific method. It includes ethics of social sciences, animal research, clinical trials, and legal issues. The articles are written in plain language and are authored by experts from universities in Australia and around the world. The articles ...

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Caring for our carbon

Carbon is all around us and available to us in many different forms – as an atmospheric gas, as an energy source, and as a food source. This unit investigates the science of carbon and the issue of climate change as both a scientific concept and a political issue, and, through discussion and debate, support students' to ...

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Ibis Invasion

This ABC In Depth feature article describes research on Australian white ibis - or 'tip turkeys' as many call them. They are regarded as a nuisance in cities, especially in the spring breeding season. But scientists fear they may become extinct as more pressure is put on the wetlands that are their native and adopted environments. ...

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NFF: Farm facts 2012

This is a multilayered web page produced by the National Farmers' Federation, which includes links to a 34-page pdf and a Prezi providing a summary of agricultural production in Australia in 2012. These include information about Australian farmers and farms, as well as an overview of farming sectors such as wool, cotton, ...

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Science principles in traditional Aboriginal Australia

This is an illustrated article about how Aboriginal people's traditional knowledge demonstrates an understanding of physics, biology and chemistry and how Aboriginal people gather knowledge through observation, testing, trial and error, adapting and retesting. Written by Kudjala/Kalkadoon Elder from Queensland Letitia ...