For the content areas of Physical Sciences - Foundation, the three (3) interrelated strands - Science Inquiry Skills; Science as a Human Endeavour; and Science Understanding - build on students’ learning in F-10 Australian Curriculum: Science. In the practice of science, the three strands are closely integrated: the work of scientists reflects the nature and development of science; it is built around scientific inquiry; and it seeks to respond to and influence society. These three strands will be integrated into four (4) general areas of study based on the themes of chemical and physical behaviours in the physical world:
- explain, investigate and predict chemical behaviour through language, terminology and understanding of three basic tenets that underpin chemistry
- explain, investigate and predict physical behaviour through language, terminology and understanding that underpin physics
- investigate, represent and predict chemical behaviour accurately using diagrams, symbols and mathematics
- investigate, represent and predict physical behaviour accurately using diagrams, symbols and mathematics.
While each general area of study is compulsory, the order of delivery is not prescribed. The course may be delivered in a number of ways, for example:
- using a theme-based approach
- on the basis of project work
- unitised in traditional topics
- a combination of these and other strategies.
The general areas of study relate directly to Criteria 5 – 8. Criteria 1 – 4 apply to all four general areas of study.