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Science · Year 7 · Unit 4

Observing the Universe

Science began by looking up. This unit explores how scientists build knowledge of the Universe through careful observation: the nature and practice of science, the Working Scientifically skills, models of the solar system, the Sun-Earth-Moon system, tides, lunar phases and eclipses, and the astronomy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Fourteen core lessons cover the syllabus, with four extension lessons for enrichment.

18lessons

3assessments

7-11hstudy

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Lessons

Block A, The Nature of Science (Lessons 1-2)

What Is Science?

SC4-OTU-01 · Nature of science: "the purpose of science is to build knowledge… through observation, experimentation and analysis"; "branches of biology, chemistry, physics and geology… interdisciplinary"

How Science Builds Knowledge

SC4-OTU-01 · Nature of science: "scientific research is usually collaborative and builds on the work of others"; "theories and laws are based on repeated experiments and observations"

Block B, The Practice of Science (Lessons 3-6)

The Scientific Process

SC4-OTU-01 · Practice of science: "the practice of science involves using the Working Scientifically processes"; "systematic observations and controlled experiments"

Measuring Instruments

SC4-OTU-01 · Practice of science: "use a variety of analog and digital measuring devices… compare the range, sensitivity and accuracy of observations"

Senses, Instruments and Inferences

SC4-OTU-01 · Practice of science: "compare… observations made using the senses with those obtained using measuring equipment"; "make inferences and testable predictions"

Running an Investigation

SC4-OTU-01 · Practice of science: "changing the independent variable… change in its dependent variable"; "series of observations over time"; "tabulate and graph data… identify trends… draw conclusions"

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 1-6 (Nature and Practice of Science)

Block C, Space Science (Lessons 7-12)

Models of the Solar System

SC4-OTU-01 · Space science: "compare historical and current solar system models to show how models are modified or rejected due to new scientific evidence"

The Sun, Earth and Moon System

SC4-OTU-01 · Space science: "predictable and observable phenomena on the Earth are caused by the relative positions of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon"

Tides and the Moon

SC4-OTU-01 · Space science: "predictable and observable phenomena on the Earth are caused by the relative positions of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon" (tides)

Moon Phases and Eclipses

SC4-OTU-01 · Space science: "use physical models or virtual simulations to explain the cyclic patterns of lunar phases and eclipses of the Sun and Moon"

First Astronomers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sky Knowledge

SC4-OTU-01 · Space science: "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Cultural Knowledges of astronomy"; accounts and mainstream scientific explanations about "the phases of the Moon and how the phases affect tides"

Reading the Stars, Weather, Seasons and Country

SC4-OTU-01 · Space science: "use stars to identify specific weather phenomena"; "use the stars and phases of the Moon to predict animal behaviour, plant cycles and tidal changes"

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 7-12 (Space Science)

Block D, In Context and Synthesis (Lessons 13-14)

A Recent Advance in Understanding the Universe

SC4-OTU-01 · In context: "investigate how a recent advancement in science has increased knowledge of the world and the Universe"

Unit Synthesis, Observing the Universe

SC4-OTU-01 · Synthesis with Working Scientifically: planning and conducting an investigation, processing data and drawing conclusions

Cumulative assessment covering the 14 core lessons

Block E, Extension Lessons (Lessons 15-18)

The Sun, Our Star Up Close

Extension · Enrichment beyond the Stage 4 dot points

Touring the Planets

Extension · Enrichment beyond the Stage 4 dot points

Moons, Asteroids and Comets

Extension · Enrichment beyond the Stage 4 dot points

Space Exploration, Past, Present and Future

Extension · Enrichment beyond the Stage 4 dot points

Unit Snapshot

18lessons

2checkpoints

1unit quiz

1NESA outcome

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Work through the lessons in order, each one builds on the last.

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