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Science / Year 9 / Science as a Human Endeavour / Nature and development of science

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Curriculum content descriptions

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

Elaborations
  • investigating the historical development of models of the structure of the atom
  • investigating how the theory of plate tectonics developed, based on evidence from sea-floor spreading and occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activity
  • considering how ideas about disease transmission have changed from medieval time to the present as knowledge has developed
  • investigating the work of scientists such as Ernest Rutherford, Pierre Curie and Marie Curie on radioactivity and subatomic particles
  • investigating how models can be used to predict the changes in populations due to environmental changes, such as the impact of flooding or fire on rabbit or kangaroo populations
General capabilities
  • Ethical understanding Ethical understanding
ScOT terms

Evaluation,  Theories,  Paradigms,  Dissent,  Peer review

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20 direct matches to ACSHE157

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Kamay – looking up

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This resource explores the navigation techniques used during the journey of the Endeavour and contrasts these with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander navigational and astronomical systems that have been in place for many thousands of years. This learning sequence contains activities suitable for Year 7 - Year 10 science ...

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SmartGraphs - African Lions: Modeling Populations - iTunes app

  • TLF-IDM019773

Investigate population modelling by studying the renowned African lions of the Ngorongoro Crater including real-life scientific data. Analyse graphs and data to answer questions and make predictions about changes in the lion population and other population models. Find out about important ecological and modelling concepts. ...

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Video

Catalyst: The home of Australian science

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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'!

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Can photons and atoms generate laser?

  • TLF-IDM019618

Electrons around atoms can absorb and emit photons of particular colours of light – see three different atomic models explain what's going on.

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Catalyst: Climate and bushfires in Australia

  • TLF-IDM015380

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 ...

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Video

Catalyst: How will fire change the climate?

  • TLF-IDM021143

Considering the impact of a changing climate on the severity and frequency of fires is one thing, but how about the impact of fires on climate? Why does Professor David Bowman describe this scenario as a 'fire spiral'? What are the consequences of a world with fewer forests? As Professor Craig Allen explains, drought and ...

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Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher

  • TLF-IDM015748

Different types of chemical reactions are used in many everyday products. Watch this clip to see how two common household substances can be combined to create an 'Invisible Candle Extinguisher'.

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Interactive

Exploring atoms: atom structure

  • TLF-IDL2562

See how scientists such as Ernest Rutherford have investigated the structure of atoms. Explore possible models. Fire charged particles at atoms and find which model best fits the results. This learning object is one in a series of six objects. Three of the objects are also packaged as a combined learning object.

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Interactive

Tectonic boundaries

  • TLF-IDL5830

Apply different tectonic forces to plate boundaries. Compare the effects when plates collide, separate, or slide past each other. Investigate the causes of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. Investigate important boundary sites, for example the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Andes, the San Andreas Fault, the Himalayas, and the ...

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Interactive

Tectonics investigator

  • TLF-IDL5826

Investigate the internal structure of the Earth using earthquake measurements. Examine the Earth’s outer layer. Fit the Earth's tectonic plates together like a jigsaw puzzle. Identify how plate movements produce many features of the Earth’s surface. Predict the formation of new volcanic islands. This learning object is ...

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Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Jeremy Leggett

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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.

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Stem Cells Repair

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This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst is a case study of research in the use of stem cells. It demonstrates the structure of the knee joint and the role of bones and cartilage. Stem cells from bone marrow are collected and used in attempt to prevent the onset of arthritis. This program distinguishes embryonic from ...

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Cloud seeding

  • TLF-IDM016406

This nine and a half minute video segment from Catalyst describes how researchers from Monash University have hard evidence that cloud seeding can produce good amounts of extra rainfall. Data collected over a long period of time has give hope to scientists and environmentalists who are trying to reduce the impacts of droughts ...

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Dr Ove Goegh-Guldberg

  • TLF-IDM016629

This 5 minute video segment from Catalyst highlights the vulnerability of some of our ecosystems and the way abiotic factors can have a dramatic effect. It also exemplifies the difficult process of having new scientific ideas accepted.

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Stems Cells in the Brain

  • TLF-IDM016154

This seven and a half minute video segment from Catalyst outlines how the discovery of stem cells in the brain marks a potential breakthrough in understanding the process of ageing in the brain. If brain stem cells can be regenerated through exercise or mental activity, can ageing be delayed?

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Audio

Green glow of radiation

  • TLF-IDM016565

Coming into contact with a large dose of radiation is known to be hazardous. But will it make you light up like a car dashboard at night? Some anecdotes that will engage the students to learn about radioactivity while dispelling a few myths.

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Audio

CERN legend stuff of angels and demons

  • TLF-IDM016702

This ABC article or podcast by Dr Karl describes and outlines the role of the particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider and how it is helping to research the nature of mass. This article is dated (2008) as some significant results from the Large Hadron Collider have since been announced.

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Video

Complex pain

  • TLF-IDM016749

This 15 minute video segment from Catalyst describes Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, condition where pain never goes away after an injury and even gets worse. The pain becomes a disease in its own right.

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Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Tim Entwistle

  • TLF-IDM016773

An interview and tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney and its herbarium with Dr Tim Entwistle, a plant scientist and the NSW Government Botanist. Tim talks to a pre-service teacher from Macquarie University about his love of plants, in particular freshwater algae. In the herbarium we find out why it is so important ...

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Interactive

Thermal comfort – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

  • TLF-IDM020885

This thermal comfort learning resource will guide students through an extended school based investigation. Students will develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and reflect on their success and their learning.

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