Science / Year 3 / Science inquiry / Evaluating

Curriculum content descriptions

compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions (AC9S3I05)

Elaborations
  • comparing findings, such as about best insulators, with those of others and identifying further questions based on differences in findings
  • discussing the factors that make investigations fair and evaluating the fairness of their own and others’ investigations
  • drawing conclusions based on consideration of their own and others’ findings
  • identifying further questions for investigation based on observations, differences in findings or new ideas
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Literacy Literacy
ScOT terms

Decision making,  Evaluation,  Explanations (Scientific inquiry),  Research questions,  Similarity (Classification)

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Plastic pollution

This set of learning activities challenges students to consider the problem of plastic pollution and how local actions help reduce the amount of discarded plastics in the environment. The module includes a comprehensive teacher guide, curriculum links, materials lists, design process guides and printable student resource ...

Downloadable

Construct a solar cooker - teacher resource kit

This activity kit encourages students to explore how sunlight can be reflected to concentrate it and raise the temperature, creating a solar oven. Activities are guided by the design thinking process, and scaffolds students to explore solar energy, explore how sunlight can be reflected to concentrate it and raise the temperature ...

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Primary Connections: Making sense of changes

In this sequence of seven lessons, students learn about the observable properties of solids and liquids and how adding or removing heat leads to a change of state. They apply this knowledge to design and create a sensory experience involving solids, liquids and the adding and removal of heat. Professional learning, assessment ...

Interactive

Biodiversity – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

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

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Every drop counts, being water wise!

This activity aims to explore water usage and water saving ideas. Every drop counts! OUTCOMES are for children to: understand the importance of water; look at ways to help save water; and undertake a water audit.

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Rivers and creeks: caring for living places

This lesson introduces rivers, creeks and other waterways as living places that support plants, animals, and people. The lesson includes a downloadable lesson plan, links to supporting websites, videos, and an assessment rubric.

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Our animal neighbours

This lesson invites students to learn about a local animal species, the places it lives and how this has changed over time. The lesson includes a downloadable lesson plan, links to supporting websites, videos, and an assessment rubric.

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Cussen Park: Hear and there soundwalk

This resource provides information and teaching and learning activities about Victorian wetlands environments. The resource is designed to accompany students on a visit to Cussen Park and to provide a guide to interacting with its interpretative Soundwalk and signage. The activities also provide general information on the ...

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Farming through history: Science and sustainability Years 3-4

This study guide looks at the historical context of cattle and sheep farming in Australia and how farming, environment and community interact in remote and urban Australia. Students will learn how cattle and sheep production has developed from the time of the early settlers to the 21st century. They will build an understanding ...

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Magic rocking candle

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of burning both ends of a balancing candle. This activity is most likely to be done as a teacher demonstration for safety and classroom management reasons, particularly at primary school level.

Interactive

DIY Lava Lamp

This resource contains lessons plans containing instructions and teachers' notes for an activity based on a chemical reaction that occurs when a soluble aspirin tablet dissolves and the fact that oil and water do not mix are used to create a model of a lava lamp. Students have fun while they learn about density of fluids. ...

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Disappearing coin trick

This resource contains a materials, instructions and brief explanation for students about the process of rotating hands to make a coin seem to dislodge.

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Levitating balloon

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of levitating a balloon.

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Kids in the Garden, Ep 4: Plant leaves

Leaves come in many shapes, sizes, colours and textures. Watch this clip to discover how leaves make their own food and transport energy to the rest of the plant. See how they can even be useful after they've fallen to the ground. Presenter Nick Hardcastle and some young helpers will also show you a fun, creative activity ...

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Pet Superstars: Alpacas: No hump but spits like a camel

Meet Kai the alpaca, an animal that is a bit like a camel. Listen as Cassandra talks about the alpaca's fleece (body covering), how it lives in herds and what it eats. See the two types of alpaca breed: Huacaya and Suri. How are they different? The clue is in their fleece.

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Kids in the Garden, Ep 12: Trees: a vital part of our lives

Have you ever heard of the 'sausage tree' or the 'dragon blood tree'? Watch this clip to find out about these and many other types of trees. Explore how they grow and why they are important. Presenter Nick Hardcastle will also show you how to plant a tree and grow a bonsai tree.

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Kids in the Garden, Ep 3: Discover flower power!

Can you imagine a world without flowers? Flowers add colour, scent and beauty to our world. But why do plants make them? Discover the real purpose of flowers and how they do their job.

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For the Juniors: Why do cows make milk?

Have you ever wondered why cows make milk? In this clip you will learn the answer to this question. You will also see how cows are milked in a large dairy. Join Bill, a dairy farmer, as he tends to his herd of dairy cows.

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Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Temperature changes the properties of a substance

Substances that are very cold have different properties to substances that are hot. Watch as the Surfing Scientist uses hot and cold water, food colouring and a fish tank to demonstrate what happens when water at different temperatures is mixed together.

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For the Juniors: Exploring under the sea

Dive into the busy and colourful world of the coral reef. Explore some of the many animals that live in the shallow waters of the reef. See how they catch food and make their homes there.