What students learn in AC9S6I02
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as.... 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 repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct investigations on Country/Place.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- considering different ways to approach investigations including researching, using trial and error, experimental testing, field observations, accessing digital tools to collect and manage data and using virtual simulations determining which is the variable being tested and which variable is being measured, and which other variables might affect their investigations and need to be kept the same
- 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 repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct investigations on Country/Place
- E1: considering different ways to approach investigations including researching, using trial and error, experimental testing, field observations, accessing digital tools to collect and manage data and using virtual simulations
- E2: determining which is the variable being tested and which variable is being measured, and which other variables might affect their investigations and need to be kept the same
- E3: identifying potential risks to themselves or others when conducting an investigation and explaining rules for safe processes and use of equipment and materials
- E4: consulting with First Nations Australians land councils in seeking permissions to conduct scientific investigations on traditional Lands and seeking guidance regarding culturally sensitive locations during field work (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
AC9S6I02 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 | AC9S6I02 — plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct investigations on Country/Place |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 6 Science: closest match in Planning and conducting. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 3 Science: closest content focus for Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 6 NGSS science closest topic match for Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 2 / Year 6: closest programme-of-study match for Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 6 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 3 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 6 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as.... |