What students learn in AC9S10U02
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of The theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past.... 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: use the theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past and present diversity and analyse the scientific evidence supporting the theory.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- outlining processes involved in natural selection including variation, isolation and selection examining biodiversity as a function of evolution
- 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: use the theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past and present diversity and analyse the scientific evidence supporting the theory
- E1: outlining processes involved in natural selection including variation, isolation and selection
- E2: examining biodiversity as a function of evolution
- E3: analysing evidence for the theory of evolution by natural selection including the fossil record, chemical and anatomical similarities, and geographical distribution of species
- E4: investigating changes caused by natural selection in a particular population as a result of a specified selection pressure such as artificial selection in breeding for desired characteristics
- E5: relating genetic characteristics to survival and reproductive rates
- E6: investigating some of the structural and physiological adaptations of First Nations Australians to the Australian environment (teaching context)
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
AC9S10U02 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 | AC9S10U02 — use the theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past and present diversity and analyse the scientific evidence supporting the theory |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 10 Science: closest match in Biological sciences. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 5 Science: closest content focus for The theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 10 NGSS science closest topic match for The theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 4 / Year 10: closest programme-of-study match for The theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past.... |
| 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 The theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 10 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for The theory of evolution by natural selection to explain past.... |