Content and achievement sequences

Science F-6: Science Understanding

Sub-Strand	Foundation Year	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
Biological sciences	Living things have basic needs, including food and water (ACSSU002)	Living things have a variety of external features (ACSSU017) Living things live in different places where their needs are met (ACSSU211)	Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (ACSSU030)	Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (ACSSU044)	Living things have life cycles (ACSSU072) Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive (ACSSU073)	Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)	The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
Chemical sciences	Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (ACSSU003)	Everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways (ACSSU018)	Different materials can be combined for a particular purpose (ACSSU031)	A change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat (ACSSU046)	Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence their use (ACSSU074)	Solids, liquids and gases have different observable properties and behave in different ways (ACSSU077)	Changes to materials can be reversible or irreversible (ACSSU095)
Earth and space sciences	Daily and seasonal changes in our environment affect everyday life (ACSSU004)	Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape (ACSSU019)	Earth’s resources are used in a variety of ways (ACSSU032)	Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (ACSSU048)	Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity (ACSSU075)	The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the sun) (ACSSU078)	Sudden geological changes and extreme weather events can affect Earth’s surface (ACSSU096)
Physical sciences	The way objects move depends on a variety of factors, including their size and shape (ACSSU005)	Light and sound are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed (ACSSU020)	A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape (ACSSU033)	Heat can be produced in many ways and can move from one object to another (ACSSU049)	Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance (ACSSU076)	Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted (ACSSU080)	Electrical energy can be transferred and transformed in electrical circuits and can be generated from a range of sources (ACSSU097)

Science F-6: Science as a Human Endeavour

Sub-Strand	Foundation Year	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
Nature and development of science	Science involves observing, asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events (ACSHE013, ACSHE021, ACSHE034)			Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships (ACSHE050, ACSHE061)		Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions (ACSHE081, ACSHE098)
Use and influence of science		People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE022, ACSHE035)		Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE051, ACSHE062)		Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083, ACSHE100)

Science F-6: Science Inquiry Skills

Sub-Strand	Foundation Year	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
Questioning and predicting	Pose and respond to questions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS014)	Pose and respond to questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS024, ACSIS037)		With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on prior knowledge (ACSIS053, ACSIS064)		With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations (ACSIS231, ACSIS232)
Planning and conducting	Participate in guided investigations and make observations using the senses (ACSIS011)	Participate in guided investigations to explore and answer questions (ACSIS025, ACSIS038) Use informal measurements to collect and record observations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS026, ACSIS039)		With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment (ACSIS054, ACSIS065) Consider the elements of fair tests and use formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate, to make and record observations accurately (ACSIS055, ACSIS066)		Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086, ACSIS103) Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS087, ACSIS104)
Processing and analysing data and information	Engage in discussions about observations and represent ideas (ACSIS233)	Use a range of methods to sort information, including drawings and provided tables and through discussion, compare observations with predictions (ACSIS027, ACSIS040)		Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends (ACSIS057, ACSIS068) Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings (ACSIS215, ACSIS216)		Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS090, ACSIS107) Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (ACSIS218, ACSIS221)
Evaluating		Compare observations with those of others (ACSIS213, ACSIS041)		Reflect on investigations, including whether a test was fair or not (ACSIS058, ACSIS069)		Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations (ACSIS091, ACSIS108)
Communicating	Share observations and ideas (ACSIS012)	Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS029, ACSIS042)		Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings using formal and informal representations (ACSIS060, ACSIS071)		Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS093, ACSIS110)

Science 7-10: Science Understanding

Sub-Strand	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10
Biological sciences	Classification helps organise the diverse group of organisms (ACSSU111) Interactions between organisms, including the effects of human activities can be represented by food chains and food webs (ACSSU112)	Cells are the basic units of living things; they have specialised structures and functions (ACSSU149) Multi-cellular organisms contain systems of organs carrying out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce (ACSSU150)	Multi-cellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment (ACSSU175) Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems (ACSSU176)	Transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes (ACSSU184) The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU185)
Chemical sciences	Mixtures, including solutions, contain a combination of pure substances that can be separated using a range of techniques (ACSSU113)	Properties of the different states of matter can be explained in terms of the motion and arrangement of particles (ACSSU151) Differences between elements, compounds and mixtures can be described at a particle level (ACSSU152) Chemical change involves substances reacting to form new substances (ACSSU225)	All matter is made of atoms that are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons; natural radioactivity arises from the decay of nuclei in atoms (ACSSU177) Chemical reactions involve rearranging atoms to form new substances; during a chemical reaction mass is not created or destroyed (ACSSU178) Chemical reactions, including combustion and the reactions of acids, are important in both non-living and living systems and involve energy transfer (ACSSU179)	The atomic structure and properties of elements are used to organise them in the Periodic Table (ACSSU186) Different types of chemical reactions are used to produce a range of products and can occur at different rates (ACSSU187)
Earth and space sciences	Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the sun, Earth and the moon (ACSSU115) Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, including water that cycles through the environment, but others are non-renewable (ACSSU116)	Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales (ACSSU153)	The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement (ACSSU180)	The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems, and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe (ACSSU188) Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere (ACSSU189)
Physical sciences	Change to an object’s motion is caused by unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravitational attraction, acting on the object (ACSSU117)	Energy appears in different forms, including movement (kinetic energy), heat and potential energy, and energy transformations and transfers cause change within systems (ACSSU155)	Energy transfer through different mediums can be explained using wave and particle models (ACSSU182)	Energy conservation in a system can be explained by describing energy transfers and transformations (ACSSU190) The motion of objects can be described and predicted using the laws of physics (ACSSU229)

Science 7-10: Science as a Human Endeavour

Sub-Strand	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10
Nature and development of science	Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available (ACSHE119, ACSHE134) Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE223, ACSHE226)	Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community (ACSHE157, ACSHE191) Advances in scientific understanding often rely on technological advances and are often linked to scientific discoveries (ACSHE158, ACSHE192)
Use and influence of science	Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations (ACSHE120, ACSHE135) People use science understanding and skills in their occupations and these have influenced the development of practices in areas of human activity (ACSHE121, ACSHE136)	People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities (ACSHE160, ACSHE194) Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research (ACSHE228, ACSHE230)

Sub-Strand

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Nature and development of science

Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available (ACSHE119, ACSHE134)

Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE223, ACSHE226)

Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community (ACSHE157, ACSHE191)

Advances in scientific understanding often rely on technological advances and are often linked to scientific discoveries (ACSHE158, ACSHE192)

Use and influence of science

Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations (ACSHE120, ACSHE135)

People use science understanding and skills in their occupations and these have influenced the development of practices in areas of human activity (ACSHE121, ACSHE136)

People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities (ACSHE160, ACSHE194)

Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research (ACSHE228, ACSHE230)

Science 7-10: Science Inquiry Skills

Sub-Strand	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10
Questioning and predicting	Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS124, ACSIS139)		Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically (ACSIS164, ACSIS198)
Planning and conducting	Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125, ACSIS140) Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS126, ACSIS141)		Plan, select and use appropriate investigation types, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods (ACSIS165, ACSIS199) Select and use appropriate equipment, including digital technologies, to collect and record data systematically and accurately (ACSIS166, ACSIS200)
Processing and analysing data and information	Construct and use a range of representations, including graphs, keys and models to represent and analyse patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS129, ACSIS144) Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions based on evidence (ACSIS130, ACSIS145)		Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables and identifying inconsistencies (ACSIS169, ACSIS203) Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence (ACSIS170, ACSIS204)
Evaluating	Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying improvements (ACSIS131, ACSIS146) Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims based on evidence (ACSIS132, ACSIS234)		Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible alternative explanations, and describe specific ways to improve the quality of the data (ACSIS171, ACSIS205) Critically analyse the validity of information in primary and secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems (ACSIS172, ACSIS206)
Communicating	Communicate ideas, findings and evidence based solutions to problems using scientific language, and representations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133, ACSIS148)		Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations (ACSIS174, ACSIS208)

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Science Sequence of Achievement: F-6

Achievement Standard	Foundation Year	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
	By the end of the Foundation year, students describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. They suggest how the environment affects them and other living things. Students share and reflect on observations, and ask and respond to questions about familiar objects and events.	By the end of Year 1, students describe objects and events that they encounter in their everyday lives, and the effects of interacting with materials and objects. They describe changes in their local environment and how different places meet the needs of living things. Students respond to questions, make predictions, and participate in guided investigations of everyday phenomena. They follow instructions to record and sort their observations and share them with others.	By the end of Year 2, students describe changes to objects, materials and living things. They identify that certain materials and resources have different uses and describe examples of where science is used in people’s daily lives. Students pose and respond to questions about their experiences and predict outcomes of investigations. They use informal measurements to make and compare observations. They record and represent observations and communicate ideas in a variety of ways.	By the end of Year 3, students use their understanding of the movement of Earth, materials and the behaviour of heat to suggest explanations for everyday observations. They group living things based on observable features and distinguish them from non-living things. They describe how they can use science investigations to respond to questions. Students use their experiences to identify questions and make predictions about scientific investigations. They follow procedures to collect and record observations and suggest possible reasons for their findings, based on patterns in their data. They describe how safety and fairness were considered and they use diagrams and other representations to communicate their ideas.

Achievement Standard

Foundation Year

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

By the end of the Foundation year, students describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. They suggest how the environment affects them and other living things.

Students share and reflect on observations, and ask and respond to questions about familiar objects and events.

By the end of Year 1, students describe objects and events that they encounter in their everyday lives, and the effects of interacting with materials and objects. They describe changes in their local environment and how different places meet the needs of living things.

Students respond to questions, make predictions, and participate in guided investigations of everyday phenomena. They follow instructions to record and sort their observations and share them with others.

By the end of Year 2, students describe changes to objects, materials and living things. They identify that certain materials and resources have different uses and describe examples of where science is used in people’s daily lives.

Students pose and respond to questions about their experiences and predict outcomes of investigations. They use informal measurements to make and compare observations. They record and represent observations and communicate ideas in a variety of ways.

By the end of Year 3, students use their understanding of the movement of Earth, materials and the behaviour of heat to suggest explanations for everyday observations. They group living things based on observable features and distinguish them from non-living things. They describe how they can use science investigations to respond to questions.

Students use their experiences to identify questions and make predictions about scientific investigations. They follow procedures to collect and record observations and suggest possible reasons for their findings, based on patterns in their data. They describe how safety and fairness were considered and they use diagrams and other representations to communicate their ideas.

Achievement Standard	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
	By the end of Year 4, students apply the observable properties of materials to explain how objects and materials can be used. They describe how contact and non-contact forces affect interactions between objects. They discuss how natural processes and human activity cause changes to Earth’s surface. They describe relationships that assist the survival of living things and sequence key stages in the life cycle of a plant or animal. They identify when science is used to understand the effect of their actions. Students follow instructions to identify investigable questions about familiar contexts and make predictions based on prior knowledge. They describe ways to conduct investigations and safely use equipment to make and record observations with accuracy. They use provided tables and column graphs to organise data and identify patterns. Students suggest explanations for observations and compare their findings with their predictions. They suggest reasons why a test was fair or not. They use formal and informal ways to communicate their observations and findings.	By the end of Year 5, students classify substances according to their observable properties and behaviours. They explain everyday phenomena associated with the transfer of light. They describe the key features of our solar system. They analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments. Students discuss how scientific developments have affected people’s lives, help us solve problems and how science knowledge develops from many people’s contributions. Students follow instructions to pose questions for investigation and predict the effect of changing variables when planning an investigation. They use equipment in ways that are safe and improve the accuracy of their observations. Students construct tables and graphs to organise data and identify patterns in the data. They compare patterns in their data with predictions when suggesting explanations. They describe ways to improve the fairness of their investigations, and communicate their ideas and findings using multimodal texts.	By the end of Year 6, students compare and classify different types of observable changes to materials. They analyse requirements for the transfer of electricity and describe how energy can be transformed from one form to another when generating electricity. They explain how natural events cause rapid change to Earth’s surface. They describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things. Students explain how scientific knowledge helps us to solve problems and inform decisions and identify historical and cultural contributions. Students follow procedures to develop investigable questions and design investigations into simple cause-and-effect relationships. They identify variables to be changed and measured and describe potential safety risks when planning methods. They collect, organise and interpret their data, identifying where improvements to their methods or research could improve the data. They describe and analyse relationships in data using appropriate representations and construct multimodal texts to communicate ideas, methods and findings.

Achievement Standard

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

By the end of Year 4, students apply the observable properties of materials to explain how objects and materials can be used. They describe how contact and non-contact forces affect interactions between objects. They discuss how natural processes and human activity cause changes to Earth’s surface. They describe relationships that assist the survival of living things and sequence key stages in the life cycle of a plant or animal. They identify when science is used to understand the effect of their actions.

Students follow instructions to identify investigable questions about familiar contexts and make predictions based on prior knowledge. They describe ways to conduct investigations and safely use equipment to make and record observations with accuracy. They use provided tables and column graphs to organise data and identify patterns. Students suggest explanations for observations and compare their findings with their predictions. They suggest reasons why a test was fair or not. They use formal and informal ways to communicate their observations and findings.

By the end of Year 5, students classify substances according to their observable properties and behaviours. They explain everyday phenomena associated with the transfer of light. They describe the key features of our solar system. They analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments. Students discuss how scientific developments have affected people’s lives, help us solve problems and how science knowledge develops from many people’s contributions.

Students follow instructions to pose questions for investigation and predict the effect of changing variables when planning an investigation. They use equipment in ways that are safe and improve the accuracy of their observations. Students construct tables and graphs to organise data and identify patterns in the data. They compare patterns in their data with predictions when suggesting explanations. They describe ways to improve the fairness of their investigations, and communicate their ideas and findings using multimodal texts.

By the end of Year 6, students compare and classify different types of observable changes to materials. They analyse requirements for the transfer of electricity and describe how energy can be transformed from one form to another when generating electricity. They explain how natural events cause rapid change to Earth’s surface. They describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things. Students explain how scientific knowledge helps us to solve problems and inform decisions and identify historical and cultural contributions.

Students follow procedures to develop investigable questions and design investigations into simple cause-and-effect relationships. They identify variables to be changed and measured and describe potential safety risks when planning methods. They collect, organise and interpret their data, identifying where improvements to their methods or research could improve the data. They describe and analyse relationships in data using appropriate representations and construct multimodal texts to communicate ideas, methods and findings.

Science Sequence of Achievement: 7-10

Achievement Standard	Year 7	Year 8
	By the end of Year 7, students describe techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They represent and predict the effects of unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravity, on motion. They explain how the relative positions of Earth, the sun and moon affect phenomena on Earth. They analyse how the sustainable use of resources depends on the way they are formed and cycle through Earth systems. They predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines and diverse cultures has been used to solve a real-world problem. They explain possible implications of the solution for different groups in society. Students identify questions that can be investigated scientifically. They plan fair experimental methods, identifying variables to be changed and measured. They select equipment that improves fairness and accuracy and describe how they considered safety. Students draw on evidence to support their conclusions. They summarise data from different sources, describe trends and refer to the quality of their data when suggesting improvements to their methods. They communicate their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations.	By the end of Year 8, students compare physical and chemical changes and use the particle model to explain and predict the properties and behaviours of substances. They identify different forms of energy and describe how energy transfers and transformations cause change in simple systems. They compare processes of rock formation, including the timescales involved. They analyse the relationship between structure and function at cell, organ and body system levels. Students examine the different science knowledge used in occupations. They explain how evidence has led to an improved understanding of a scientific idea and describe situations in which scientists collaborated to generate solutions to contemporary problems. They reflect on implications of these solutions for different groups in society. Students identify and construct questions and problems that they can investigate scientifically. They consider safety and ethics when planning investigations, including designing field or experimental methods. They identify variables to be changed, measured and controlled. Students construct representations of their data to reveal and analyse patterns and trends, and use these when justifying their conclusions. They explain how modifications to methods could improve the quality of their data and apply their own scientific knowledge and investigation findings to evaluate claims made by others. They use appropriate language and representations to communicate science ideas, methods and findings in a range of text types.

Achievement Standard

Year 7

Year 8

By the end of Year 7, students describe techniques to separate pure substances from mixtures. They represent and predict the effects of unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravity, on motion. They explain how the relative positions of Earth, the sun and moon affect phenomena on Earth. They analyse how the sustainable use of resources depends on the way they are formed and cycle through Earth systems. They predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines and diverse cultures has been used to solve a real-world problem. They explain possible implications of the solution for different groups in society.

Students identify questions that can be investigated scientifically. They plan fair experimental methods, identifying variables to be changed and measured. They select equipment that improves fairness and accuracy and describe how they considered safety. Students draw on evidence to support their conclusions. They summarise data from different sources, describe trends and refer to the quality of their data when suggesting improvements to their methods. They communicate their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations.

By the end of Year 8, students compare physical and chemical changes and use the particle model to explain and predict the properties and behaviours of substances. They identify different forms of energy and describe how energy transfers and transformations cause change in simple systems. They compare processes of rock formation, including the timescales involved. They analyse the relationship between structure and function at cell, organ and body system levels. Students examine the different science knowledge used in occupations. They explain how evidence has led to an improved understanding of a scientific idea and describe situations in which scientists collaborated to generate solutions to contemporary problems. They reflect on implications of these solutions for different groups in society.

Students identify and construct questions and problems that they can investigate scientifically. They consider safety and ethics when planning investigations, including designing field or experimental methods. They identify variables to be changed, measured and controlled. Students construct representations of their data to reveal and analyse patterns and trends, and use these when justifying their conclusions. They explain how modifications to methods could improve the quality of their data and apply their own scientific knowledge and investigation findings to evaluate claims made by others. They use appropriate language and representations to communicate science ideas, methods and findings in a range of text types.

Achievement Standard	Year 9	Year 10
	By the end of Year 9, students explain chemical processes and natural radioactivity in terms of atoms and energy transfers and describe examples of important chemical reactions. They describe models of energy transfer and apply these to explain phenomena. They explain global features and events in terms of geological processes and timescales. They analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of matter. They describe social and technological factors that have influenced scientific developments and predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives. Students design questions that can be investigated using a range of inquiry skills. They design methods that include the control and accurate measurement of variables and systematic collection of data and describe how they considered ethics and safety. They analyse trends in data, identify relationships between variables and reveal inconsistencies in results. They analyse their methods and the quality of their data, and explain specific actions to improve the quality of their evidence. They evaluate others’ methods and explanations from a scientific perspective and use appropriate language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific audiences.	By the end of Year 10, students analyse how the periodic table organises elements and use it to make predictions about the properties of elements. They explain how chemical reactions are used to produce particular products and how different factors influence the rate of reactions. They explain the concept of energy conservation and represent energy transfer and transformation within systems. They apply relationships between force, mass and acceleration to predict changes in the motion of objects. Students describe and analyse interactions and cycles within and between Earth’s spheres. They evaluate the evidence for scientific theories that explain the origin of the universe and the diversity of life on Earth. They explain the processes that underpin heredity and evolution. Students analyse how the models and theories they use have developed over time and discuss the factors that prompted their review. Students develop questions and hypotheses and independently design and improve appropriate methods of investigation, including field work and laboratory experimentation. They explain how they have considered reliability, safety, fairness and ethical actions in their methods and identify where digital technologies can be used to enhance the quality of data. When analysing data, selecting evidence and developing and justifying conclusions, they identify alternative explanations for findings and explain any sources of uncertainty. 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 select appropriate representations and text types to communicate science ideas for specific purposes.

Achievement Standard

Year 9

Year 10

By the end of Year 9, students explain chemical processes and natural radioactivity in terms of atoms and energy transfers and describe examples of important chemical reactions. They describe models of energy transfer and apply these to explain phenomena. They explain global features and events in terms of geological processes and timescales. They analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of matter. They describe social and technological factors that have influenced scientific developments and predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives.

Students design questions that can be investigated using a range of inquiry skills. They design methods that include the control and accurate measurement of variables and systematic collection of data and describe how they considered ethics and safety. They analyse trends in data, identify relationships between variables and reveal inconsistencies in results. They analyse their methods and the quality of their data, and explain specific actions to improve the quality of their evidence. They evaluate others’ methods and explanations from a scientific perspective and use appropriate language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific audiences.

By the end of Year 10, students analyse how the periodic table organises elements and use it to make predictions about the properties of elements. They explain how chemical reactions are used to produce particular products and how different factors influence the rate of reactions. They explain the concept of energy conservation and represent energy transfer and transformation within systems. They apply relationships between force, mass and acceleration to predict changes in the motion of objects. Students describe and analyse interactions and cycles within and between Earth’s spheres. They evaluate the evidence for scientific theories that explain the origin of the universe and the diversity of life on Earth. They explain the processes that underpin heredity and evolution. Students analyse how the models and theories they use have developed over time and discuss the factors that prompted their review.

Students develop questions and hypotheses and independently design and improve appropriate methods of investigation, including field work and laboratory experimentation. They explain how they have considered reliability, safety, fairness and ethical actions in their methods and identify where digital technologies can be used to enhance the quality of data. When analysing data, selecting evidence and developing and justifying conclusions, they identify alternative explanations for findings and explain any sources of uncertainty. 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 select appropriate representations and text types to communicate science ideas for specific purposes.