Science / Year 7 / Science as a Human Endeavour / Nature and development of science

• TLF-IDM020990

A database tracking the last 60 or so years of heatwaves shows that they are getting longer, more frequent and more intense in Australia. In this clip, climate scientist Dr Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick explains how and why. Overall, she describes that the biggest increase has been in the frequency of heatwaves in Australia, ...

• TLF-IDM015571

In 1914 Ernest Shackleton and his crew set out on an expedition to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. But things went horribly wrong when their ship was crushed by ice on the way. In this news clip, witness an Australian scientist about to set out with five others to re-create Shackleton's remarkable journey of survival, ...

• TLF-IDM016084

This is an interactive website about Australia's savannas. It has four main sections providing information about where tropical savannas are located across the world; the importance of termites in Australia's tropical savannas ecosystem; the lifecycle of the termite; and the research being conducted in Australia's savannas. ...

• TLF-IDM020213

Visual art and science are often considered to be separate fields. Watch as Phred Petersen talks about the way he combines his passions of photography and science. What is the role of technology in enabling this crossover? What kinds of scientific discoveries can be assisted by high-speed photography? And how can scientific ...

• TLF-IDM019967

The Bureau of Meteorology records temperatures daily at around 700 sites in Australia. There are also around 6000 sites that report rainfall information. Why is long term monitoring of weather important? What insights can this sort of data give scientists?

• TLF-IDM018812

The water cycle is the circulation of water on, in and above Earth and it involves a number of stages and changes of state. This clip describes the water cycle and also how modern technology has contributed to our understanding of the shape of raindrops and its relationship to precipitation. Discover how raindrop shape ...

• TLF-IDM018635

Do you have a favourite science fact? Listen as scientists from a range of fields describe their favourite facts of the scientific world. If you've ever wanted to know the length of a chameleon's tongue or what the most common cell in your body is, watch this clip.

• TLF-IDM015837

Australia has a long and proud history of excellence in science. How should we celebrate this? Watch this clip to find out about an Australian organisation that recognises and promotes outstanding scientific achievement. You'll also find why its Canberra headquarters is referred to as 'the flying saucer'!

• TLF-IDM019973

Did you know that samples of polar ice can tell us what the atmosphere was like almost a million years ago? The Bureau of Meteorology has records that go back 3000 years! Why do you think scientists are interested in learning what the atmosphere was like before industrialisation?

• TLF-IDL2357

Select energy sources and energy converters to build energy chains to power appliances and vehicles. Examine how each energy converter in a chain loses some energy and reduces the energy available for use. For example, show that using a solar panel and an electric motor to drive a car delivers only 16% of the original ...