Advances in scientific understanding often rely on technological advances and are often linked to scientific discoveries

This downloadable resource involves an activity that investigates the densities of rocks.

The resources include a worksheet detailing an experiment to measure the densities of rock samples from the lithosphere and mantle to verify that 'slab pull' is the dominant force driving the movement of tectonic plates (a separate copy with example answers is also provided) along with teacher notes in the form of an original published article.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S8U03 (Year 8), AC9S8U04 (Year 8)

This downloadable resource is a student worksheet investigating smoke detectors.

Students can carry out their own research to find the answers to the questions posed on the sheet.

Sample answers are also provided.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S9U06 (Year 9)

This online resource looks at herd immunity to epidemics.

The resource provides worksheets and step-by-step instructions for a student activity studying immunity to epidemics that is found in herds of animals.

In this activity, students can identify which vaccinated individuals in a social network would result in the most effective herd immunity.

The activity relies on the students running multiple simulations and assessing the effectiveness of their strategies.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S9U01 (Year 9)

This online resource investigates the wave and particle models of energy transfer.

The resource is an inquiry-based learning sequence that covers energy transfer through different mediums using the wave and particle models. It includes hands-on activities, digital interactives, animations and videos.

The resource also examines what is a model, electromagnetic transmission, electricity and how sound is transmitted through a medium.

Students experience fieldwork and learn how to develop a scientific argument.

This online resource shows students how physics is used in medicine.

The resource allows students to examine results from PET and MRI scans, colonoscopies and radiotherapy on patients.

The aim of this exercise is for students to examine how physics can be used in everyday life.

Students work their way through each test, comparing results and diagnosing possible diseases.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S9U04 (Year 9)

This online resource describes how photovoltaic cells work.

A video describes how the photovoltaic effect works in the doped semiconductors used to generate electricity in solar panels.

This resource would be good for advanced students or for teacher background information.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S9U06 (Year 9)

This online resource looks at the way human hearing works.

The resource is a video clip (1:37 mins) that explains how ears hear sound. It also includes a basic hearing test that shows how hearing ability degenerates with age and explains why.

This resource is well suited as a remote learning or homework task with students set the task of watching the video and determining if their hearing is appropriate for their age.

This online resource looks at Science as a Human Endeavour.

The resource is a short video interview with Adam Cawley, a chemist and scientist from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, that investigates how to improve the drug testing of athletes.

This resource is useful in illustrating how science can be used to solve problems. It is also useful for identifying the skills needed to study science.

This online resource explores the development of the atomic model.

The resource is a Scootle website that gives students the opportunity to examine how evidence was collated to eventually suggest the current model of the atom. Students could use this to draw a timeline for the development of atomic models to show how scientific theories result from an accumulation of knowledge.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S9U06 (Year 9)