Science / Year 10 / Science inquiry / Questioning and predicting

Curriculum content descriptions

develop investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses to test relationships and develop explanatory models (AC9S10I01)

Elaborations
  • discussing how a tested hypothesis may lead to further predictions and testing to determine if the prediction is supported
  • developing hypotheses about the role of human activity in changes to climate and investigating these using secondary data
  • observing a change in the frequency of extreme weather events and hypothesising causes from scientific models, such as: ‘If the El Niño weather pattern occurs more frequently then there will be more droughts due to decreased rainfall’
  • asking questions about the relationship between crash impact force and speed and developing a hypothesis which can then be tested
  • observing how changing the surface area, concentration and temperature affects the rate of a chemical reaction and developing reasoned predictions
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Literacy Literacy
ScOT terms

Predictions (Science),  Motels

Interactive

Energy skate park

This interactive simulation explores the conservation of energy in a skater moving on a curved ramp. In a series of simulations students explore the transformation of energy between kinetic and potential energy; how changing the mass, friction, or gravity affects the skater's energy; students can predict position or estimate ...

Interactive

Forces and Motion: Basics

This interactive simulation explores speed, acceleration and unbalanced forces in a simple system. In a series of simulations students identify when forces are balanced vs unbalanced; determine the net force on an object with more than one force acting on it; and predict the motion of an object with zero net force or given ...

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Introduction to Ocean Acidification

In this series of activities students investigate how carbon dioxide affects the pH of water, and how carbon dioxide may affect fish and other marine species. They then brainstorm changes that can be made to reduce human impact on reefs, research carbon capture and storage technology, and design a device to remove carbon ...

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Investigating Ocean Acidification: Student Investigations

In this activity, students explore the impacts of carbon dioxide on the marine environment. Students investigate the effect of carbon dioxide on water and the effect of acids on organisms with calcium carbonate shells. This resource is part of a suite of resources from Queensland Museum focused on ocean acidification.

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The Mathematics of Projectiles - Calculate

This activity provides a practical introduction to the motion of projectiles with a focus on angles. It is designed as a lead in to parabolic and quadratic functions.

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Designing urban carbon sinks lesson

In this lesson, students learn about the role of vegetation as carbon sinks, conduct field work to evaluate local carbon sinks and explore urban design issues. Students asses their own carbon footprints using the carbon footprint calculator, learn about carbon offset, carbon farming and carbon storage programs. Students ...

Online

Green packaging lesson

This lesson plan engages students in finding ways to reduce plastic waste in food packaging. Students investigate problems created by plastic waste then observe ways these issues are being addressed. They design new packaging for food items that currently produce excessive waste then test their designs objectively. The ...

Online

Climate change – creating critical thinkers … not sceptics!

Climate change was once just part of the science domain, but today it is a political juggernaut! This unit explores the science of climate change as a scientific concept and a political issue. The unit includes PDF resources and video quiz challenges for teachers and student and the library section provides extra resources ...

Interactive

iPlan

This resource contains ten IWB flipcharts as well as Flash alternative exercises and models how to plan a scientific investigation, choose the right equipment and follow safe working practices.

Online

Catchment management: the drain is just for rain

Stormwater originated as rain and flows into creeks, rivers and other water bodies. Any rubbish or chemical pollution collected during this journey can end up polluting the waterways. This activity looks the impacts of stormwater and rubbish in our waterways. Outcomes of this learning activity are for students to: understand ...

Video

Catalyst: Can you solve the 'travelling salesman problem'?

Imagine you are a salesperson having to travel between multiple locations. How would you achieve this in the quickest way possible? This is a problem that has stumped mathematicians for decades, and there is even a prize for anyone who can come up with an algorithm to solve it. In this video, three methods are used to try ...

Video

Catalyst: Impact of coming to school on carbon emissions

How big is your carbon footprint as you travel to and from school? Watch Daniel O'Doherty, 2008 'Action Against Climate Change' Eureka Schools Prize winner, as he determines his hypothesis then designs and conducts a study about carbon emissions. Listen to the recommendations he makes to reduce and offset the emissions ...

Video

Could you make a unicorn by crossing DNA?

Good question! Find out whether this is possible by watching as biologist at MIT, Dr Sera Thornton explains. What is a genome? And why do genomes need to be decoded? If the rhino genome was successfully decoded and the part that described the rhino horn was isolated, what would the process be for creating a unicorn?

Video

All about engines

What does 'horsepower' really mean? And how do engines work? Join Luke and Abhi from MIT to find out! As Abhi explains, engines produce power by forcing a mixture of fuel and air into a tight space and then burning it. Piston engines and turbine engines do this in similar, yet different ways. After watching this video, ...

Interactive

Build an atom

This interactive simulation explores atomic structure, elements and the periodic table. In a series of simulations students use the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to draw a model of the atom, identify the element, and determine the mass and charge; predict how addition or subtraction of a proton, neutron, or ...

Video

The power of science photography

Visual art and science are often considered to be separate fields. Watch as Phred Petersen talks about the way he combines his passions of photography and science. What is the role of technology in enabling this crossover? What kinds of scientific discoveries can be assisted by high-speed photography? And how can scientific ...

Video

Four Corners: Fire management strategies

What role do fire-behaviour specialists and ecologists have in fire management? Watch this clip to find out about issues relating to fire management in Australia, in particular prescribed burning.

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Experimentals: Do different things fall faster?

Want to find out what happens when you drop a watermelon and an apple from the top of a building? In this clip, Bernie Hobbs and Ruben Meerman, investigate whether the mass of an object influences how fast it falls. Bernie and Ruben ride the 'Giant Drop' at Dreamworld, drop a watermelon and apple from an eighth floor balcony, ...

Video

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

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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Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Chemical catalysts

Have you ever heard of a catalyst? Watch as the Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman, demonstrates the power of a catalyst. He adds one to just two other ingredients to create a chemical reaction with spectacular foaming results - just like elephant toothpaste!