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Year 7 Science • AC9S7I07 • Homework

Evidence, Claims, Ethics & First Nations Knowledge

Build arguments using claim → evidence → reasoning, evaluate sources and limitations, and apply cultural protocols and ethical principles when using secondary information.

Part A • 10 × 2 marks

Short-answer questions

  1. Explain the difference between a claim and evidence in a scientific argument.

  2. Why is reasoning needed to connect evidence to a conclusion?

  3. Describe one limitation that can occur when collecting data in a classroom experiment.

  4. Explain why identifying the author or responsible organisation helps when judging source credibility.

  5. Give one reason publication date can matter when evaluating a scientific source.

  6. Describe one type of evidence used in the debate about Australian megafauna extinction.

  7. Explain how climate evidence could support a non-human contribution to megafauna extinction.

  8. Define biopiracy in your own words.

  9. Explain why benefit-sharing matters when First Nations knowledge contributes to a commercial product.

  10. Describe one cultural or ethical issue that may arise when secondary information includes First Nations knowledge.

Part B • 5 × 5 marks

Extended reasoning

  1. Explain how data-collection method can influence the strength of a scientific claim. Include at least two specific examples.

  2. Compare two sources on the same scientific topic—one more credible and one less credible. Use authorship, evidence, method/references, date, purpose and bias in your evaluation.

  3. Discuss how uncontrolled variables can weaken evidence and explain how a method could be improved.

  4. Explain how First Nations oral histories or cultural knowledge can contribute to understanding the past, and why cultural authority and protocols must be respected when citing them.

  5. Explain why commercial use of First Nations knowledge requires ethical decision-making. Include consent, attribution, benefit-sharing and intellectual-property considerations.

Part C • Enriched 10 marks

Balanced evidence-based argument

Question: Evaluate the claim that early First Nations Australians played a major role in the extinction of Australian megafauna.

Your response must use at least three relevant evidence types, assess source credibility, identify limitations and uncertainty, and explain how First Nations knowledge should be cited respectfully with appropriate cultural protocols.

Extension task

Ethical commercialisation case study

Choose a commercial product or industry that draws on First Nations knowledge or biological resources. Identify the relevant knowledge holders where publicly appropriate, investigate evidence of consent/partnership, attribution and benefit-sharing, and evaluate whether the development appears ethically responsible. Do not reproduce culturally restricted knowledge.

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