Primary School Years 3-6
In Year 3, students explore grouping and classifying objects and events based on similarities and differences, learning that classifications, such as identifying living and non-living things, can be complex. They investigate growth and change in living things, compare characteristics of soils, rocks, and minerals, and classify states of matter while understanding processes like heat transfer and its role in predictable changes. Through quantifying observations, using tables and graphs, and conducting fair tests, students discover patterns and relationships in science, guided by inquiry questions like: 鈥淒o plants and animals grow the same way?鈥 鈥淚s soil alive?鈥 and 鈥淲hy does a spoon get hot in soup but cold in ice cream?"
In Year 4, students expand their understanding of systems by analysing interactions between components, recognising patterns, and predicting outcomes when components are missing or malfunctioning. They create models such as food chains and the water cycle, explore the relationship between form and function through material properties, and investigate unseen forces and interactions at a distance. Through fair testing and the use of standard units of measurement, they compare attributes, identify relationships, and draw conclusions. Inquiry questions like 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the big deal about the water cycle?鈥 and 鈥淗ow does friction help or hinder motion?鈥 inspire curiosity and encourage exploration.
In Year 5, students investigate how the features of living things enable survival in their habitats and explore stable and dynamic aspects of systems, recognising that Earth鈥檚 surface reflects past changes. They use models to understand relationships and predict the effects of changes, analyse light phenomena to identify characteristic behaviours, and explore how matter structures the world. By reflecting on their methods to identify potential errors, they develop explanations for observed patterns. Inquiry questions such as 鈥淲hy has the Australian coastline changed over time?鈥 and 鈥淲hy does my shadow change?鈥 inspire curiosity and critical thinking.
In Year 6, students explore the interdependence of systems by investigating how physical conditions affect habitats and the growth of living things, as well as how the Earth鈥檚 position relative to the sun influences phenomena like day length. They classify components of electrical circuits, describe energy flows, and learn to classify changes to substances. Students develop an understanding of fair testing, accuracy in measurement, and use patterns and trends to form scientific explanations and draw conclusions. Inquiry questions such as 鈥淲hat if Earth were not on a tilt?鈥 and 鈥淗ow does the weather affect local habitats?鈥 encourage curiosity and critical thinking.