Science / Year 4 / Science understanding / Chemical sciences

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Curriculum content descriptions

examine the properties of natural and made materials including fibres, metals, glass and plastics and consider how these properties influence their use (AC9S4U04)

Elaborations
  • identifying and naming materials in the classroom, and grouping objects made of similar materials or combinations of materials
  • exploring vocabulary for describing properties; observing different fibres, metals, glass and plastics; and using appropriate terms to describe, compare and contrast their properties
  • investigating familiar objects, such as shoes, drink containers or backpacks, examining the combination of materials from which they are made and suggesting reasons for those combinations based on properties of materials
  • considering how First Nations Australians use materials for different purposes, such as tools, clothing and shelter, based on their properties
  • designing, building and testing an object or structure for a specific purpose, such as a tent, lunchbox or bird feeder
  • investigating which materials can be recycled and researching alternatives for materials such as single use plastics
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Metals,  Materials,  Glass,  Properties,  Fibres (Materials)

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This activity kit is about engaging students in thinking about wheels and axles. Activities are guided by the design thinking process, and scaffolds students to explore different types of pull-along toys, various ways of constructing them from a range of household and readily-available materials and investigate how wheels ...

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In this lesson, students will practise breaking down a process into smaller parts or steps as an introduction to computational thinking.

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Construct a water wheel - teacher resource kit

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This unit of eight lessons poses the question ‘Are we living sustainably?’ Students use prompts to draw on their prior knowledge to explain what they already know about sustainability. They then investigate why water is precious, explore how water is used around their school and at home. Students then research ways that ...

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Sam the Lamb: properties of wool

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This short video, narrated by ‘Sam the Lamb’ and a group of young wool enthusiasts, explores the properties of one of nature’s most versatile fibres. Viewers will discover how wool can stretch and return to its natural shape when worn; why wool is safe to wear around campfires and in the sun, and how wool can manages moisture ...

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Thermal comfort – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

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

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The element zirconium is often used for its tough, abrasive properties. It also has a secret side. View this clip (developed by students for the 2013 Sleek Geeks Eureka Science Schools Prize competition), which highlights the properties and uses of zirconium in a highly visual and fun way.

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experiMENTALS: Spooky slime

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This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of making spooky slime with cornflour to produce a substance that is a little like a liquid and a little like a solid.

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Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Red cabbage pH experiment

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It might sound 'un-sciencey', and have a bad smell, but red cabbage is actually very useful for testing the pH of liquids. Added to well-known liquids like lemonade or vinegar, red cabbage juice changes to 'pretty colours'. In this clip, Surfing Scientist Ruben Meerman explains the colour changes and how red cabbage juice ...

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Discover why plastic is harmful to our environment and how recycling helps to reduce its impact. Listen to Jon Dee, founder of Planet Ark, discuss the problem of plastic. Watch as a bag of household items are sorted to identify what can be recycled.

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This is an illustrated article about how Aboriginal people's traditional knowledge demonstrates an understanding of physics, biology and chemistry and how Aboriginal people gather knowledge through observation, testing, trial and error, adapting and retesting. Written by Kudjala/Kalkadoon Elder from Queensland Letitia ...

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