Science / Year 10 / Science as a Human Endeavour / Nature and development of science

Curriculum content descriptions

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

Elaborations
  • recognising that the development of fast computers has made possible the analysis of DNA sequencing, radio astronomy signals and other data
  • considering how computer modelling has improved knowledge and predictability of phenomena such as climate change and atmospheric pollution
  • researching examples of major international scientific projects, for example the Large Hadron Collider and the International Space Station
  • considering how information technology can be applied to different areas of science such as bioinformatics and the Square Kilometre Array
ScOT terms

Innovation,  Discovery (Observations)

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Under universal skies

A webpage with a focus on the electromagnetic spectrum and its links with radio astronomy with supporting activities and links to resources.

Video

Eggs on ice

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst addresses some economic, social and scientific issues around the development of reproductive technologies.

Text

Researchers find grain's memory gene

This brief ABC News in Science article from 2009 gives an excellent example of responses of plants to temperature change and current Australian science. Plants use a genetic memory to recognise when it is spring and can even count the number of cold days.

Interactive

Syllabus Bites: Biotechnology

This website defines biotechnology and highlights some examples from the broad spectrum constituting biotechnology, describing potential for benefits and harm. It explores both the science and ethical issues.

Audio

Science student of the year Western Australia 2008

This friendly chat helps to break down some stereotypes about scientists. Jacinta Delhaize travelled to Chile and work at the Gemini South Observatory in the Andes Mountains. She talked about her experience with high school students and for this received the Science Student of the Year award in 2008. Her PhD researches ...

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The price of peak fuel

This ABC In Depth feature article discusses the projections of how long will our energy resources will last given that our need for fossil fuels is insatiable, but coal, oil, gas and uranium reserves are finite and some may even be in decline. This article is comprehensive, but it is dated at 2008.

Interactive

Science Talk 2008

An online resource with interviews and master classes with many of Australia's prominent scientists. Interviews with eight scientists in areas of astronomy, marine biology, bio-chemistry related to medical research, chemistry related to materials science, astro-imaging, palaeontology, climate change science and psychology ...

Audio

CERN legend stuff of angels and demons

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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Treetop kangaroos

This ABC In Depth feature article includes everything you wanted or needed to know about tree kangaroos. This article describes their reproduction, classification, adaptations and issues relating to their conservation.

Video

Argo floats

This minute video segment from Catalyst decade ago describes the Australian initiative, Argo, that has become a major international collaborative project to look at the world's oceans and help understand processes at depth - monitoring the pulse of the global heat balance and giving us vital information on the ocean's role ...

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Species on the move

This ABC In Depth feature article presents arguments about moving vulnerable species to cooler climates in advance of climate change is a controversial strategy, and whether it could be the best way of ensuring their survival.

Video

Electron Microscope

This 6 minute video segment from Catalyst demonstrates some electron microscopes that are powerful enough to read a newspaper as far away as the moon and the many challenges in making this sort of power possible.

Video

Catalyst: Thinning ice sheet

Discover that that the massive ice sheet in East Antarctica has been losing mass since 2006 instead of growing, as was previously thought. Watch animations to see how scientists from NASA and Australia are using satellite technology and aerial monitoring to investigate the thickness of East Antarctica's ice sheet. Find ...

Video

ABC News: Sound waves measure ocean temperatures

View how scientists use underwater sound waves to measure ocean temperature changes in the Indian Ocean. The animations show how the technology called acoustic thermometry works. Australian scientists are working with a global network of 'listening posts' to monitor the long-term effects of climate change on ocean temperatures.

Video

Catalyst: Seals help climate research

Discover how seals are helping scientists study Antarctica, polar regions, oceans and climate change. Scientists use Weddell and southern elephant seals to gather data and monitor the way currents move heat around the world's oceans.

Audio

Radio National: Using genes to unlock the secrets of Tutankhamen

Tutankhamen was an Egyptian pharaoh who ascended to the throne in 1333 BC, at the age or nine or ten. His fame in modern times is due to the discovery of his virtually intact tomb in 1922. Since then, many questions have been asked about his life and ancestry. Listen to this audio clip to find out how genetic technology ...

Video

BTN: Living on the International Space Station

What would it be like to live on a space station? In this clip you'll see footage of astronauts on the International Space Station and discover what their daily life is like. You'll also find out about how the space station was built and about some important research being done there.

Video

Catalyst: Geoengineering - a solution to climate change?

What is geoengineering, and how is it being investigated by scientists as a means of combating climate change? Learn about some climate control techniques that could slow down or even reverse the effects of global warming. Hear an atmospheric physicist explain the pros and cons of geoengineering techniques.

Video

Landline: Handling deadly viruses safely to save lives

Imagine working in a research laboratory and handling deadly animal viruses that could potentially infect humans. Find out how this vital research helps protect Australia's wildlife, farm animals and human population. See how scientists use techniques such as 'gene silencing' to fight viruses.

Video

Very Large Telescope

This 10 minute video segment from Catalyst explains why the telescope is located where it is and relates it to the properties of light.