Download Year 5

Year 5 Achievement standard
By the end of Year 5, students begin to pose meaningful questions that can be investigated and become aware of different inquiry methods (eg fair test, survey, secondary sources). They begin to recognise that
changing, measuring and keeping some variables the same are part of a fair test. They observe, measure and record data honestly and begin to use tools to make accurate observations and measurements. They recognise
simple patterns in data and begin to use data to support explanations, comparing results with any earlier predictions. With assistance, they reflect on broad aspects of their investigation process. They recognise, describe
and give simple explanations for a range of cause-and-effect relationships and interactions within systems (eg the role of micro-organisms, form and properties of materials, the solar system). They begin to have an
understanding of the properties of electricity and start to consider the microscopic structure of materials. They suggest ways in which science has affected society (eg work, health, leisure and space exploration). They
understand that scientists collaborate, solve problems and share their findings and they are able to describe in simple terms the work of at least one Australian scientist.
SCIENCE INQUIRY SKILLS YEAR 5
SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOUR YEAR 5
SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING YEAR 5
1. Nature of science
1. Questioning and predicting
Identify simple questions that can be investigated scientifically
and predict the outcome of an investigation
(S5SIS1)
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discussing in groups possible situations to
investigate
using similar situations encountered in the past in
order to decide what may happen in a new situation
sharing ideas about what may be predicted to
happen, and why
2. Investigation methods
Contribute to decisions about the investigation method to use,
including using fair tests, models, information research, surveys
and data from secondary sources
(S5SIS2)
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experiencing a range of ways of discovering
information and ideas relating to science, including
the internet and text-based research
understanding how models can be used to represent
scientific ideas, and constructing physical models to
demonstrate an aspect of scientific understanding
3. Fair testing
Identify the variables that should be kept the same and decide
which one should be changed and which one measured in fair
tests
(S5SIS3)
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discussing in groups how their investigations can be
made to be as fair as possible
using the idea of an independent variable (not
needing to use this terminology) as something that is
being investigated by changing it and measuring the
Science ideas and understandings change as new evidence
becomes available (eg how ideas about disease and the solar
system have developed)
(S5SHE1)
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understanding that conclusions are drawn based on
evidence presented and that the addition of new
evidence may change the conclusions drawn
investigating how ideas for new synthetic materials
became possible based on developing
understandings about the properties of various
materials
researching the impact of the microscope on the
discovery of microorganisms and the influence of
their discovery on our understanding of disease and
on our ideas about healthy practices (eg personal
hygiene and medical sanitation)
researching how space exploration and new
technologies have changed our understanding of the
solar system (eg the discovery of a new planet,
information about conditions on the moon and
planets)
2. Influence of science
Science has led to changes in the way people live and its
applications both influence and can be influenced by personal
and community choices (eg in relation to public health,
electricity usage)
(S5SHE2)
1. Micro-organisms
The role of micro-organisms in areas such as human health,
food and the environment
(S5SU1)
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2. Space and our solar system
The regular and predictable motions of objects in our solar
system and how humans have sought to explore and
understand space
(S5SU2)
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researching to find out who discovered
microorganisms and the way our understanding of
microorganisms has been applied to various aspects
of our lives (eg food technology, public health
measures, personal hygiene, medical science, waste
decomposition)
investigating the way electricity and electrical
researching to find out what micro-organisms are and
where they are found
investigating how micro-organisms may be beneficial
(making food, breaking down waste) or harmful
(causing food to go mouldy, causing disease)
making observations of moulds that grow on common
food items, the effects they have on food and
identifying conditions that affect the growth of mould
identifying the role that decomposers play in the
environment
investigating the use of telescopes, satellites and
rockets in space exploration
identifying the planets of the solar system,
recognising that they all orbit the sun and that one
complete orbit is known as a year for that particular
planet
using models to investigate how day and night relate
to the earth spinning on its axis and to explain why
the sun appears to move across the sky each day
3. Form and properties of materials
Some materials are composed of observable structure or parts
(such as fibres, crystals, layers or grains) and structure or
smaller parts can influence the overall properties of materials
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effect of this change
understanding how changes in other variables can
affect investigations and why these need to be kept
the same during an investigation
appliances have changed the way we live and how
we make choices about the use of electricity,
personally and as a community
(S5SU3)
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3. Collaboration in science
4. Using equipment
Collaboratively select equipment and materials and use them
safely and appropriately, identifying potential risks
(S5SIS4)
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Teams of scientists are often required to work together on
projects (eg in medical science, space exploration)
(S5SHE3)
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discussing possible hazards involved in conducting
investigations, and how these risks can be reduced
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5. Observing and measuring
Use a range of tools to accurately observe, measure and
record data and represent it in a variety of ways including
tables and graphical methods, using ICT where appropriate
(S5SIS5)
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using familiar tools such as rulers, weighing scales
and watches to measure objects and events in
investigations
adding information to previously constructed tables,
graphs and spreadsheets
using familiar units such as grams, seconds and
metres and developing the use of derived units such
as kilograms and millimetres
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Australian scientists have made a significant contribution to
scientific understanding in various fields of human endeavour
(eg in medicine, space exploration)
(S5SHE4)
6. Analysing results
Identify and describe patterns or relationships in observations
and data
(S5SIS6)
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identifying similarities and differences in qualitative
data in order to group items and/ or materials
describing simple cause-and-effect relationships as
shown by trends in numerical data
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recognising that in order to solve problems we
employ teams of scientists and other specialists for
particular purposes
understanding that scientists develop specialised
skills and knowledge, and that often teams of
scientists are required to work together on projects
(eg in developing new food products; in medical
science)
researching the different types of scientists who work
in teams in space exploration (eg geologists,
astrophysicists, engineers, biologists)
4. Contribution of scientists
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researching the roles of Sir Alexander Fleming, Dr
Ernst Chain and Dr Howard Florey in the discovery,
development and mass production of the antibiotic
penicillin
exploring institutions and locations where
contemporary Australian scientists conduct scientific
research relating to microorganisms or electricity (eg
CSIRO)
researching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
scientists and their contributions
researching Australia’s involvement in space
exploration (eg the role of the Parkes Observatory in
the Apollo 11 mission to the moon)
7. Developing explanations
Compare observations and data with predictions and use as
evidence in developing explanations
(S5SIS7)
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sharing ideas as to whether observations match or
do not match predictions, and discussing possible
reasons if predictions are not found to be correct
8. Communicating
5. Science and culture
Science and culture interact to influence personal and
community choices (eg in making decisions about health and
medicine)
(S5SHE5)
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investigating choices made by people in many
cultures to use natural remedies, with or without
modern medical science, to manage their health
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observing that materials are composed of parts,
some of which may not be visible with the naked eye
but may be visible with a magnifying glass (eg hair,
wool, paper, minerals)
describing the observable parts and structure of
common materials in grouping them
testing materials composed of different parts and
drawing conclusions about the influence of the
smaller parts or structure on the overall properties of
a material
investigating materials chosen for certain properties
and examining them to see if those materials have
similar structure or smaller parts
4. Electricity
Electrical energy can be transferred and transformed
(S5SU4)
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investigating electrical circuits as a means of
transferring electrical energy to produce light, heat
and sound
investigating conductivity and recognising that
electricity is conducted through materials known as
conductors and that it will not travel through materials
known as non–conductors (insulators)
understanding that the transformation of energy
refers to the changing of energy from one form to
another (eg electrical energy can be changed to heat
energy)
representing simple electrical circuits by diagrams
and conventional symbols
Use a range of forms to represent and communicate evidence,
ideas and explanations including using models and reports
(S5SIS8)
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using labelled diagrams, including cross-sectional
representations, to communicate their ideas and
knowledge
using a variety of written and spoken text types,
including information reports, explanations,
arguments, debates and procedural recounts to
communicate science ideas
making physical models, either individually or in
groups, to represent scientific ideas
9. Reflecting on methods
Reflect on the process of investigation to evaluate the quality of
evidence and to suggest improvements to the planning of
investigations
(S5SIS9)
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comparing results with others to get an idea of the
reliability of the results
describing positive and negative aspects of
investigations and working collaboratively to suggest
improvements to the methods used
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researching the influence of Chinese medicine and
natural remedies from a range of cultures on people's
personal health decisions and on Western medical
science
investigating choices of materials in the production of
various technologies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples
researching how different cultures explain day and
night, particularly the movement of the Sun