Science / Year 6 / Science as a human endeavour / Use and influence of science

Curriculum content descriptions

investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions (AC9S6H02)

Elaborations
  • exploring how communities consider the impact of aquatic noise pollution when designing guidelines for water sports
  • investigating how people use knowledge of conditions that reduce mould or bacterial growth when considering food packaging and storage
  • considering how people use electrical device guidelines to help ensure safety of children
  • investigating why underground power cables were developed and how local government authorities use scientific knowledge about power safety when considering converting to underground power
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Personal and social capability Personal and Social capability
ScOT terms

Action projects,  Community development,  Problem solving,  Decision making,  Scientific inquiry

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Flight of the osprey infographic

In this lesson, students use data acquired during their learning about the osprey and information sourced online to design and create an infographic. This lesson is the final lesson in a series of six lessons that connect the cross-curriculum priority of Sustainability, Statistics and the Science learning area: Science ...

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Osprey bird dimensions

In this lesson, students investigate measurement data related to the osprey. Students represent and interpret data related to wingspan and body length. They investigate patterns in data to describe any relationships. This lesson is the third in a series of six lessons that connect the cross-curriculum priority of Sustainability, ...

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Osprey position and location

In this lesson, students acquire data related to the migration of the osprey. Students describe location and position on a Cartesian plane using paired coordinates. They explore the way latitude and longitude is used to pinpoint a location on Earth. This lesson is the fourth in a series of six lessons that connect the cross-curriculum ...

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Osprey migration data

In this lesson, students acquire data related to the migration of the osprey. Students represent and interpret the data, discussing and reporting on the data distribution. They compare two types of charts to decide which type is best to display the dataset. This lesson is the second in a series of six lessons that connect ...

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Travel choices

This set of learning activities engages students in using data to make informed choices about travel to and from school. Students gather and analyse data on travel options in their local area, investigate what issues arise currently in travelling to and from school, use their data to help inform possible solutions, then ...

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Osprey ranking threats

In this lesson, students acquire data related to key threats to the survival of osprey. Students work in small groups to rank a list of key threats and collate the data in a class spreadsheet. They sort the data to identify the overall class ranking of threats. Students create a pie chart of the threats commonly ranked ...

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FLEET schools: Conductors, insulators and electricity

This collection of learning activities explores the nature of electricity; how we managed to harness this power; how it changed human society and paved the way to the digital age we live in today. There are links to critical thinking activities and experiments that cover the concepts of conductors, insulators, resistance ...

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Creating a worm farm

Food and gardening scraps thrown into household bins becomes landfill. When food waste breaks down in landfill, it emits greenhouse gases including methane gas which traps heat in our atmosphere. Diverting this organic waste from landfill and into a worm farm or composting system is great for your garden and for our planet. ...

Interactive

Kitchen gardens – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on kitchen gardens using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and ...

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Different types of telescopes

You can find both refracting and reflecting telescopes at Sydney Observatory. How are they different in the way they work and look? What can you find in nature that is like a telescope? Which type of telescope is it like?

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Spark: A better way to predict the spread of bushfires

In recent years, new technologies have helped us respond to natural disasters more quickly by providing up-to-date information as it becomes available. What if we could take this one step further with new technologies that can also predict disasters? Learn how Spark, which uses our existing knowledge of bushfire behaviours ...

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Living on the moon!

Imagine living on the moon! What are some of the essentials you may need that you take for granted on Earth? How would you source or access these necessities on the moon?

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BTN: Volcanoes and people

Imagine living in the shadow of a volcano? Well, millions of people do in Naples, Italy, where a massive volcano called Vesuvius exists. This clip explores the dangers posed by volcanoes and investigates some recent and ancient eruptions. Find out some misconceptions about volcanoes and discover how science is helping prevent ...

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BTN: Tsunamis

Discover what powerful force triggers a tsunami. In this clip you will see the damage caused by tsunami, and find out why it occurred. Learn about what is happening on the ocean floor and the connection between tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes and tectonic plates. See how a warning centre is working to keep people safe ...

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Kids in the Garden, Ep 13: Plants in our daily lives

Can you imagine a world without plants? Do you agree that plants are important to our lives? Listen to Nick explain the amazing variety of ways you use plants every day, often without knowing it.

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BTN: Storing data in a 'cloud'

Explore how you can access all of your personal files from any electronic device, anytime. See how cloud computing makes it no longer necessary to have separate copies of your photos, music and documents on every device you use. Watch this clip to find out more about cloud technology and the future of data storage and retrieval.

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Kids in the Garden, Ep 15: Growing plants indoors

How would you create a tropical jungle in the middle of a cold, windy city? How can you grow plants from cold climates in a place with a hot climate? Could you trick a plant into flowering whenever you want it to? Watch this clip to discover how to create suitable conditions for growing plants indoors.

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Catalyst: Supercapacitors: new battery technology

Discover how nanotechnology is contributing to the creation of new, improved batteries that may soon be used in all our mobile phones and portable music devices - even in cars and trams. Catalyst's Tanya Ha looks at how traditional batteries produce electricity and how their efficiency may be increased by tiny devices known ...

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Working towards a renewable energy future

Listen to electrical engineering student Kulsoom Hussain describe her dream career. What are some of the challenges she says she'll face in trying to achieve her goals? What can you find out about the energy sources used in Australia? How much renewable energy is used to power our country?

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Catalyst: Predicting earthquakes

Will scientists ever be able to accurately predict earthquakes? Imagine the number of lives that could be saved if this were possible. Dr Maryanne Demasi joins a group of researchers drilling into one of the most earthquake-prone regions on Earth as they try to improve earthquake prediction to add precious seconds to earthquake ...