Science / Year 9 / Science Inquiry Skills / Processing and analysing data and information

Curriculum content descriptions

Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence (ACSIS170)

Elaborations
  • comparing conclusions with earlier predictions and reviewing scientific understanding where appropriate
  • suggesting more than one possible explanation of the data presented
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Hypothesis testing,  Evidence,  Reasoning,  Judgement

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 ...

Online

Game changers and change makers: resource book of ideas for National Science Week 2018

This resource book includes ideas to support students’ involvement in investigating, exploring, experimenting, designing, creating and communicating their understandings about game changers and change makers from the past who have solved some of the seemingly unsolvable problems, to game changers and change makers of today, ...

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 ...

Interactive

Environmental and Zoo Education Centres – high school resources

A collection of geography and science resources for high school teachers and students to support teaching and learning from home. The resources were developed by Department of Education teachers from 25 Environmental and Zoo Education Centres in NSW and include Google Sites, programs and activities.

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The Conversation - issues concerning self and identity - organ donation

This resource contains a series of articles about organ donation, including ethical consideration of the role of family; research methods available to increase donor rates; and examples from other countries (e.g. Spain) that have high organ donation rates. It can be used to consider a wide range of issues, evidence, and ...

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

Digestion Experiments 2

Students use this resource consisting of ten slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that enzymes work best at a specific pH. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Richard Wiseman

An interview with Professor Richard Wiseman, magician and psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. Richard talks to a teacher from Strathfield Girls High School about the connection between psychology and magic, and his work as a psychologist investigating quirkology, the science of everyday life.

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.

Interactive

Digestion Experiments

This resource consists of 3 sets of illustrated slides with voice over presenting detailed information and explanations of an experiment used to investigate the action of amylase on starch and the optimum pH for the action of protease on egg white protein. Results are provided and interpreted using tables and graphs. More ...

Interactive

Sites2See: Surf safety

A webpage about surfing safety, dangerous waves and rips, and the history and science of surfing. A 'For Kids' section provides games and quizzes for young swimmers and surfers.

Video

Grand Daddy Fish

This six and a half minute video segment from Catalyst demonstrates how we draw inferences from observations of fossils. Fossil fish from the Devonian Period have produced some amazing discoveries. Last year a few of them were found with embryos inside and one even had a fossilised umbilical cord. This year they have found ...

Audio

Diabetes type 2 cured by surgery ABC Radio national

Download the audio or view the transcript of this ABC radio program. It is an excellent example of how approaching a problem from a different perspective and with an open mind may result in an amazing solution. Richard Stubbs, and New Zealand scientist, claims type 2 diabetes is a disease of the gut. If his hypothesis is ...

Video

Pedigree Dogs

This 12 minute video segment from Catalyst demonstrates how scientific knowledge can improve the well-being of our domestic pets and change public opinion. This show exemplifies the benefits of the application of our understanding of genetics and evolution.

Interactive

Artificial Immunity

This resource consists of 2 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting detailed information and explanations of the role of vaccines in offering artificial immunity against disease.

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.

Video

Vitamin D

This 8 minute video segment from Catalyst shows how research can also help us to optimise our health, especially into older age. It describes an example of how sometimes research gives us mixed messages. Sun exposure helps our body to produce the hormone, vitamin D but it also increases incidence of melanoma.

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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.

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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

Marijuana Madness

This eleven minute video segment from Catalyst provides a thorough analysis of recent research that demonstrates the relationship between marijuana and psychosis and how marijuana actually affects the brain.