What students learn in AC9S10I02
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and, as appropriate, developing and following risk assessments, considering ethical issues, and addressing key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- addressing possible sources of error through choice of equipment, variable control or further testing considering possible confounding variables or effects and ensuring these are controlled or accounted for in planned methods for data collection and analysis
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and, as appropriate, developing and following risk assessments, considering ethical issues, and addressing key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place
- E1: addressing possible sources of error through choice of equipment, variable control or further testing
- E2: considering possible confounding variables or effects and ensuring these are controlled or accounted for in planned methods for data collection and analysis
- E3: identifying safety risks and impacts on animal welfare and ensuring these are effectively managed within an investigation
- E4: identifying the potential hazards of chemicals or biological materials and processes used in experimental investigations and how these should be addressed
- E5: addressing ethical issues when collaborating with First Nations Australians to explore the development of a commercial product based on traditional ecological knowledges (teaching context)
- E6: modelling how to report the discovery of unregistered First Nations Australians artefacts and heritage or any unauthorised disturbance (teaching context)
- E7: considering the ethical and social issues and legal responsibilities involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes before starting an investigation involving animals
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S10I02 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S10I02 — plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and, as appropriate, developing and following risk assessments, considering ethical issues, and addressing key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 10 Science: closest match in Planning and conducting. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 5 Science: closest content focus for Plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 10 NGSS science closest topic match for Plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 4 / Year 10: closest programme-of-study match for Plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 10 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 5 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 10 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and.... |