Year 9 Science skills

compare the role of body systems in regulating and coordinating the body’s response to a stimulus, and describe the operation of a negative feedback mechanism

describe the form and function of reproductive cells and organs in animals and plants, and analyse how the processes of sexual and asexual reproduction enable survival of the species

represent the carbon cycle and examine how key processes including combustion, photosynthesis and respiration rely on interactions between Earth’s spheres (the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere)

use wave and particle models to describe energy transfer through different mediums and examine the usefulness of each model for explaining phenomena

apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations

explain how the model of the atom changed following the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons and describe how natural radioactive decay results in stable atoms

model the rearrangement of atoms in chemical reactions using a range of representations, including word and simple balanced chemical equations, and use these to demonstrate the law of conservation of mass

explain how scientific knowledge is validated and refined, including the role of publication and peer review

investigate how advances in technologies enable advances in science, and how science has contributed to developments in technologies and engineering

analyse the key factors that contribute to science knowledge and practices being adopted more broadly by society

examine how the values and needs of society influence the focus of scientific research

develop investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses to test relationships and develop explanatory models

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

select and use equipment to generate and record data with precision to obtain useful sample sizes and replicable data, using digital tools as appropriate

select and construct appropriate representations, including tables, graphs, descriptive statistics, models and mathematical relationships, to organise and process data and information

analyse and connect a variety of data and information to identify and explain patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies

assess the validity and reproducibility of methods and evaluate the validity of conclusions and claims, including by identifying assumptions, conflicting evidence and areas of uncertainty

construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence to support conclusions or evaluate claims, and consider any ethical issues and cultural protocols associated with accessing, using or citing secondary data or information

write and create texts to communicate ideas, findings and arguments effectively for identified purposes and audiences, including selection of appropriate content, language and text features, using digital tools as appropriate