Science Understanding
Biological Science
Investigate the role of classification in ordering and organising the diversity of life on Earth and use and develop classification tools including dichotomous keys.
(AC9S7U01)
Elaborations: Observing and identifying the similarities and differences of particular features within and between groups of organisms.
Creating and modifying a dichotomous key to classify organisms into groups and groups within groups.
Naming and classifying species using scientific conventions such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
Considering the reasons for classifying living things, such as identification and communication.
Examining how biological classification has changed over time through improvements in microscopy.
Using provided dichotomous keys to identify organisms surveyed on a field trip.
Investigating First Nations Australians' systems of classifying living things and how these systems differ from those used in contemporary science.
Use models, including food webs, to represent matter and energy flow in ecosystems and predict the impact of changing abiotic and biotic factors on populations.
(AC9S7U02)
Elaborations: Analysing food webs to show feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem and the role of microorganisms.
Modelling how energy flows into and out of an ecosystem via the pathways of food webs.
Predicting the effects on local ecosystems when living things such as pollinators or predators are removed from or die out in an area.
Examining how events such as seasonal changes, destruction of habitat or introduction of habitat or introduction of a species impact abiotic and biotic factors and cases changes to populations.
Investigating First Nations Australians' responses to invasive species and their effect on food webs that many communities are part of, and depend on, for produce and medicine.
Considering how First Nations Australians' fire management practices over tens of thousands of years have changed the distribution of flora and fauna in most regions of Australia.
Science as a Human Endeavour
Nature and Development of Science
Explain how new evidence or different perspectives can lead to changes in scientific knowledge.
(AC9S7H01)
Elaborations: Exploring how scientists are re-examining the relationships between organisms to refine the classification of species as they discover new information or interpret evidence in new ways.
Investigating how the land management practices of First Nations Australians inform contemporary management of the environment to protect biodiversity.
Investigate how cultural perspectives and world views influence the development of scientific knowledge.
(AC9S7H02)
Elaborations: Investigating classification systems used by First Nations Australians and how they differ in context and use from those used by contemporary science.
Investigating how First Nations Australians have developed sustainable harvesting practices and cultural protocols based on deep ecological understandings.
Science Inquiry
Questioning and Predicting
Develop investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses to explore scientific models, identify patterns and test relationships.
(AC9S7I01)
Elaboration: Consulting with First Nations Australians to clarify questions based on their traditional ecological knowledges, such as predictions regarding the impact of invasive species.
Planning and Conducting
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: Considering ethical issues relating to interactions with living things.
Collaborating with First Nations communities and organisations to conduct investigations about ecosystems, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes.
Processing, Modelling and Analysing
Select and construct appropriate representations, including tables, graphs, models and mathematical relationships, to organise and process data and information.
(AC9S7I04)
Elaborations: Constructing food webs to represent feeding relationships and flows of energy and matter in an ecosystem.
Constructing representations of dichotomous keys, such as creating a visual key.