New South Wales

Objectives

Stage Four

Stage Five

Prescribed Focus Area

History of science

4.1 identifies historical examples of how scientific knowledge has changed people’s understanding of the world.

5.1 explains how social factors influence the development and acceptance of scientific ideas.

Nature and practice of science

4.2 uses examples to illustrate how models, theories and laws contribute to an understanding of phenomena.

5.2 describes the processes that are applied to test and validate models, theories and laws.

Applications and uses of science

4.3 identifies areas of everyday life that have been affected by scientific developments.

5.3 evaluates the impact of applications of science on society and the environment.

Implications of science for society and the environment

4.4 identifies choices made by people with regard to scientific developments.

5.4 discusses evidence supporting different viewpoints.

Current issues, research and developments

4.5 describes areas of current scientific research.

5.5 analyses how current research might affect people’s lives.

Knowledge

Models, theories and laws and structures and systems

4.8 describes features of living things.

4.8.1 Cell Theory

4.8.2 Classification

5.8 relates the structure and function of living things to models, theories and laws.

5.8.1 Cell Theory

5.8.2 Watson-Crick model of DNA

Understanding of interactions.

4.10 identifies the factors affecting survival of organisms in an ecosystem

4.11 identifies resources used by humans and where they are found, and describes ways in which they are exploited.

5.10 assesses human impacts on the interaction of biotic and abiotic features of the environment.

5.11 analyses the impact of human resource use on the biosphere to evaluate methods of conserving, protecting and maintaining Earth’s resources.

Skills

Planning and conducting investigations;

4.13 clarifies the purpose of an investigation and, with guidance, produces a plan to investigate a problem.

4.14 follows a sequence of instructions to undertake a first-hand investigation

4.15 uses given criteria to gather first-hand data.

4.16 accesses information from identified secondary sources.

5.13 identifies a problem and independently produces an appropriate investigation plan.

5.14 undertakes first-hand investigations independently with safety and competence.

5.15 gathers first-hand data accurately.

5.16 accesses information from a wide variety of secondary sources.

Communicating information and understanding;

4.17 evaluates the relevance of data and information.

5.17 explains trends, patterns and relationships in data and/or information from a variety of sources.

Developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques.

4.19 draws conclusions based on information available

4.21 uses creativity and imagination to suggest plausible solutions to familiar problems.

5.19 uses critical thinking skills in evaluating information and drawing conclusions.

5.20 uses creativity and imagination in the analysis of problems and the development of possible solutions.

Values and Attitudes

Develop positive attitudes towards, and values about, themselves, others, learning as a lifelong process, science and the environment

4/5.24 respects different viewpoints and is honest and fair in dealing with others.

4/5.26 recognises the role of science in providing information about issues being considered and in increasing an understanding of the world around them.

4/5.27 acknowledges their responsibility to conserve, protect and maintain the environment for future generations.