Science / Year 9 / Science as a Human Endeavour / Use and influence of science

Curriculum content descriptions

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)

Elaborations
  • investigating how technologies using electromagnetic radiation are used in medicine, such as in the detection and treatment of cancer
  • using knowledge of science to test claims made in advertising or expressed in the media
  • investigating the use of nanotechnology in medicine, such as the delivery of pharmaceuticals
  • describing how science is used in the media to explain a natural event or justify actions
  • evaluating claims relating to products such as electrical devices, fuels, indigestion tablets
  • considering the impact of technological advances developed in Australia, such as the cochlear implant and bionic eye
  • considering the impacts of human activity on an ecosystem from a range of different perspectives
  • considering how communication methods are influenced by new mobile technologies that rely on electromagnetic radiation
  • recognising aspects of science, engineering and technology within careers such as medicine, medical technology, telecommunications, biomechanical engineering, pharmacy and physiology
ScOT terms

Evaluation,  Reasoning,  Judgement

Video

TEDMED: What is the source of all life?

This is a video clip of a TEDMED speaker, Howard Shapiro, presenting ideas about improving the nutritional value of plants to address malnutrition and the food requirements of a growing world population. The clip emphasises that poor nutrition has negative health and developmental effects on children, particularly those ...

Video

How does nanotechnology work?

What is nanotechnology? Watch as Dr Kay Latham explains why scientists are interested in working at the nanoscale. What have researchers been able to design using their understanding of nanotechnology? And how might nanotechnology be used in the future?

Video

TEDMED: Are we ready for a Declaration of Food Interdependence?

This is a video clip of TEDMED speaker Ashley Atkinson describing a community program that promotes growing food together to transform the environment and to address issues of declining access to affordable, fresh produce. The video focuses on how the program, Keep Growing Detroit, provides resources to assist in the establishment ...

Interactive

2024 Dreaming

Explore options for houses, work, food and transport in 2024 in this multimedia presentation from Radio National. A useful resource for stimulating discussion about applications of science and implications for society and the environment as well as current issues and developments in science. Gives examples of how different ...

Online

The Conversation - Understanding immunisation and vaccination

A series of articles about vaccination and immunisation including: explanations on so-called ‘herd immunity’; myth-busting; the research on the claims made by those who are anti-vaccination; and case studies of immunisation against polio, small pox, HIV, influenza, measles, and others. Each article is about 600-800 words.The ...

Video

Catalyst: Climate and bushfires in Australia

What can science tell us about the major cause of bushfires in Australia's past? How can it help us predict future bushfires? Two scientists discuss evidence related to bushfire regimes (bushfire patterns, types and intensity). Please note that this clip contains recent images of homes destroyed by fire that may disturb ...

Video

Four Corners: Ecological effects of bushfires

Did you know that Australia is the most flammable continent on Earth? Watch this clip to discover how bushfires impact natural ecosystems, and how the increasing global threat of bushfires may affect Australia. Australian scientists explain the ecological consequences of fire and a US expert describes his concerns for the future.

Audio

Mercury is released as coal is burnt in power stations

This resource describes research into environmental disease resulting from the heavy metal mercury. It is estimated 60,000 babies are born each year in the United States with mercury-related diseases from the burning of coal in power stations. World wide, this is a significant problem. Mercury also enters the environment ...

Text

Pipe dreams

This ABC In Depth feature article is a case study shows how the impacts of human activities including irrigation on the environment and agriculture cannot always be predicted. The Ord River has long been touted as a possible northern food bowl. But nearly four decades after the irrigation scheme was created, why has it ...

Audio

Chemicals on the Great Barrier Reef

This program deals with a range of human impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Herbicides from land runoff have been traced to algae and sea grasses in river mouths and coastal zones along the Great Barrier Reef. Effects include retardation of photosynthesis and growth of corals. Other pressures on the reef include high water ...

Interactive

Syllabus Bites: Traditional knowledge and sustainable ecosystems

This resource supports students to assess how the knowledge and cultural practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is being used to conserve and manage sustainable ecosystems and a sustainable future. Numerous short videos and links provide a rich variety of case studies. A task, including marking guidelines ...

Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Martina Doblin

An interview and lab tour with Dr Martina Doblin, a phytoplankton ecologist at UTS. Martina talks to students and their teacher from Concord High School about her work studying microscopic organisms such as the toxic algae that make up harmful algal blooms.

Text

Food bowl or dustbowl?

This ABC In Depth feature article deals with the complex political, economic, scientific and legal issues associated with the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. This resource deals with important issues but is dated to 2008.

Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Glenn Porter

A master class and tour of the University of Western Sydney (UWS) Crime Scene House with Glenn Porter, a forensic scientist. Students talk to Glenn and PhD students to see what all the fuss is about with forensic science.

Interactive

Predicting earthquakes: are we there yet?

Ask and expert' ABC article exemplifies some creative approaches of scientists to the significant problem of predicting earthquakes. The science behind the various methods is outlined, their successes and failures and problems for possible future developments.

Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Jeremy Leggett

An interview with Dr Jeremy Leggett, global environmental expert from Solarcentury in the UK. Jeremy talks to a teacher from Leumeah High School about global warming, fossil fuels and the design of carbon neutral buildings.

Interactive

Science talk 2007: Adam Cawley

An interview with Adam Cawley, a chemist and scientist from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, who is an expert in drug testing in sport. Adam talks to a teacher from Killara High School about working as a chemist, and the challenges in drug testing.

Video

Catalyst: Megafauna fossils

Travel back in time in outback Australia and investigate the giant lumbering beasts of the past - the megafauna. Visit a fossil site in Cuddie Springs, New South Wales, where megafauna bones have been discovered. Explore the connection between Aboriginal peoples and megafauna, and theories for the extinction of Australia's ...

Video

Coal Gas

This 12 minute video segment from Catalyst outlines how for decades, scientists have worked to develop technologies that can unlock the energy from coal while reducing the risks of digging it up and burning it. Now entirely new industries are booming as they tap into coal seams either too gassy or too deep to be mined by ...

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Rainforest fruit power

This ABC In Depth feature article discusses human potential use rainforest fruit-bearing plants and the need to maintain biodiversity. Many biotic interactions that effect reproduction and dispersal are described. Issues about using seed banks to try to maintain biodiversity are discussed.