What students learn in AC9S7I02
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test.... 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 reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying variables and assumptions and, as appropriate, recognising and managing risks, considering ethical issues and recognising 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.
- comparing the method with the hypothesis and examining the reasonableness of the method for testing that hypothesis discussing why it is important to identify variables and assumptions when planning an investigation
- 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 reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying variables and assumptions and, as appropriate, recognising and managing risks, considering ethical issues and recognising key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place
- E1: comparing the method with the hypothesis and examining the reasonableness of the method for testing that hypothesis
- E2: discussing why it is important to identify variables and assumptions when planning an investigation
- E3: examining the features of reproducible investigations, constructing methods and reviewing other students’ methods
- E4: identifying assumptions relating to variables that are assumed to be constant, such as ambient temperature, properties of materials used or purity of substances
- E5: identifying risks to themselves and others in investigations and considering actions that can be taken to avoid or manage those risks
- E6: considering ethical issues relating to interactions with living things
- E7: recognising state and territory laws as they relate to First Nations Australians’ heritage sites and artefacts (teaching context)
- E8: collaborating with First Nations Australians communities and organisations to conduct investigations about ecosystems, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes (teaching context)
- E9: acknowledging and recognising First Nations Australians’ artefacts and heritage sites, such as human stonework and scatter sites in comparison with rocks changed by natural processes, and understanding not to harm or disturb sites (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
AC9S7I02 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 | AC9S7I02 — plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying variables and assumptions and, as appropriate, recognising and managing risks, considering ethical issues and recognising key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 7 Science: closest match in Planning and conducting. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 4 Science: closest content focus for Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 7 NGSS science closest topic match for Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 3 / Year 7: closest programme-of-study match for Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 7 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 4 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 7 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Plan and conduct reproducible investigations to answer questions and test.... |