Teacher background information

   

Year 6 Science Content Description

Science Inquiry Skills

Questioning and predicting

With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations (ACSIS232 - Scootle )

  • consulting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to clarify investigable questions based upon their traditional ecological knowledge, such as predictions regarding the impact of invasive species

This elaboration provides students with an opportunity to develop this core Science Inquiry Skill whilst addressing intercultural science inquiry skills relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures within the context of the following content description(s) from the Science Understanding and/or Science as a Human Endeavour strand(s).

The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)

Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE100)

A potential way to approach this elaboration is through:

Consulting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to understand the impact of environmental change. To develop this scientific skill, students can inform their thinking about local environmental issues by talking with members of their local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. For example, students may consider whether their school or local environment is affected by highly adapted pest species (living things), such as cane toads or the aquatic fern Salvinia spp. Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples will help students understand the knowledge they hold about the environment prior to the introduction of pest species, and the impact following the introduction of the species. Students can then formulate and pose clarifying questions to gain more information, and use this knowledge to make predictions about the impact of invasive species in their local environment.