Science / Year 7 / Science inquiry / Planning and conducting

Curriculum content descriptions

plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying variables and assumptions and, as appropriate, recognising and managing risks, considering ethical issues and recognising key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place (AC9S7I02)

Elaborations
  • comparing the method with the hypothesis and examining the reasonableness of the method for testing that hypothesis
  • discussing why it is important to identify variables and assumptions when planning an investigation
  • examining the features of reproducible investigations, constructing methods and reviewing other students’ methods
  • identifying assumptions relating to variables that are assumed to be constant, such as ambient temperature, properties of materials used or purity of substances
  • identifying risks to themselves and others in investigations and considering actions that can be taken to avoid or manage those risks
  • considering ethical issues relating to interactions with living things
  • recognising state and territory laws as they relate to First Nations Australians’ heritage sites and artefacts
  • collaborating with First Nations Australians communities and organisations to conduct investigations about ecosystems, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes
  • acknowledging and recognising First Nations Australians’ artefacts and heritage sites, such as human stonework and scatter sites in comparison with rocks changed by natural processes, and understanding not to harm or disturb sites
General capabilities
  • Ethical understanding Ethical understanding
Cross-curriculum priorities
ScOT terms

Independence (Experiments),  Ethics,  Safety,  Experiments,  Scientific control

Interactive

Energy-efficient house

Explore how the temperature inside a house is affected by air flowing in and out. Look closely at the energy effects of design variables in a house such as insulation materials, window coverings and window direction. Build a house with maximum energy efficiency by adjusting key design variables. Change the house design ...

Interactive

Fair test

Run experiments in a plant research laboratory. Investigate the effects of different variables on the growth of lettuces, peas and tomatoes. Research the answers to questions about how to achieve optimum hydroponic growth conditions. Examine the effect of key variables on growth: nitrogen, temperature, light intensity and ...

Interactive

Let's make slime!

This resource explains how to make slime using cornflour to produce something called a non-Newtonian fluid. A non-Newtonian fluid is a substance which has properties of a liquid and a solid. This means it can flow like a liquid, but also can have a set shape. It all depends on the amount of force you apply to it. In this ...

Video

Friction: Friend or foe?

What part does the force of friction play in our everyday lives? Friction can be an advantage (friend) or a problem (foe). Join interviewer Doug Traction and professors Static, Slide, Rolling and Fluid at the National Tribology Research Centre as they have forceful fun investigating friction. This video won a prize in the ...

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Properties and behaviour of gases

All substances are made up of tiny particles. A change in temperature can change the way these particles behave. Watch as the Surfing Scientist demonstrates how a gas behaves when it is heated. Find out whether the balloon gets sucked or pushed into the bottle!

Video

Experimentals: Building with different shapes

Did you know that the shape of an object can affect its strength? Watch as Ruben Meerman tests two columns of different shapes to see which can carry the greater load. Consider how engineers might use this information to build tall structures.

Video

Mirrors Simulation (sk-Intel)

Students explore the reflection of light by plane mirrors and operate a simple periscope using ray diagrams.

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

Rotocopters

This resource contains lessons plans containing instructions and teachers' notes for a lesson that can be part of a unit on flight or used as a great motivating activity to foster positive attitudes. The clear and explicit instructions are a good example of a procedural text. The notes also provide a clear explanation of ...

Interactive

Preparing Slides of Plant Cells

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how to prepare a slide of onion cells. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Bouncing balls

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students to observe what happens when two different sized balls are dropped independently or in vertical contact. The simple explanation relates to transfer of energy.

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Trumpet straw

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of making a straw that can produce vibrations when blown through.

Interactive

Experiments that compare Inhaled Air and Exhaled Air

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the procedures to compare carbon dioxide levels of inhaled and exhaled air and to detect presence of water vapour in exhaled air. It relates the change in exhaled air to respiration. There is a two-question ...

Interactive

Using a Microscope

Students use this resource consisting of ten slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how to use a microscope correctly. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Text

Weeds attack!

Weeds attack! is a web-based, multimedia resource with interactive learning activities aimed at preparing students to investigate a local weed of national significance. This is a hands-on project based on the Weed Warriors program. The resource models the activity of growing a bio control for bitou bush, using a games-based ...

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. ...

Video

Electromagnetic Simulation (sk-Intel)

In this resource students explore how an electromagnet works in real life. They can then apply their learning in an electromagnetism game by changing the magnetism of a scrap lifter in a scrap yard and removing various amounts of scrap. The resource demonstrates the connection between the power applied, the number of coils ...

Interactive

Plotting a Magnetic Field

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how to plot the magnetic field around a bar magnet using a plotting compass. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Cool colour

This is a lesson plan, complete with instructions, materials list, worksheets and photographs of the expected results from the ABC's surfing scientist. The students are encouraged to participate in a first-hand science activity using sugar and colour-coated chocolate lollies.

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Levitating balloon

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