Science

Prep  

Transdisciplinary Theme:

 How We Express Ourselves 

Central Idea: 

Senses help people express their ideas 

This term in Prep Science, students will explore the world around them using their five senses and begin to investigate how different materials look, feel, and change. This unit encourages curiosity and helps students make sense of their everyday experiences through hands-on learning. 

Students will begin by using their senses, especially touch, sight, and smell, to describe objects and materials. They will learn to use descriptive language to explain what they notice and how different items feel, look, and smell. Through simple activities such as exploring mystery objects and making slime, students will observe how materials can be mixed and changed while describing their experiences using their senses. 

As the unit continues, students will investigate a variety of materials and their properties through a creative focus on designing and making a party hat. They will sort materials based on their features, explore what happens when materials get wet, and investigate which materials are most suitable for sunny or rainy conditions. Through these experiences, students will begin to understand that materials have different properties that make them useful for different purposes. 

By the end of the unit, students will apply their learning by planning, creating, and describing their own decorated hat. They will reflect on the materials they have chosen and explain their thinking, building confidence in communicating their ideas and observations about the world around them. 

Year 1 

Transdisciplinary Theme: 

How The World Works 

Central Idea: The solar system is made up of planets that move around the Sun. 

This term in Year 1 Science, students will explore both Earth and chemical sciences through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. This unit will help students build an understanding of space, as well as how everyday materials can change. 

Students will begin by learning about Earth’s place in space. They will explore the solar system, including the Sun, Moon, and planets, and begin to recognise patterns in the sky. Through creating simple models, students will identify planets and develop an understanding of how scientists observe and learn about space. 

The focus will then shift to chemical science, where students will investigate how everyday materials can change. Through a range of fun and practical activities, such as observing melting ice, exploring cooked and uncooked spaghetti, building structures, and experimenting with heating and cooling foods, students will describe and compare different materials and their properties. They will also explore how some changes can be reversed while others cannot. 

By the end of the unit, students will reflect on their learning and demonstrate their understanding of how materials behave and change in different situations. This learning supports students in making connections between science and the world around them. 

Year 3  

Transdisciplinary Theme:

Sharing The Planet 

Central Idea: Survival of a species is dependent on its environmental conditions 

This term in Year 3 Science, students will explore how living things survive and interact with their environment through the study of food chains, habitats, and basic geology. This unit helps students understand the connections between living things and the physical world around them. 

Students will learn how energy moves through food chains, beginning with plants and flowing to different animals, and will explore relationships such as predators and prey. They will also investigate habitats, learning how plants and animals depend on their environment for food, water, and shelter, and how they are adapted to survive in different conditions. 

In addition, students will be introduced to simple geology concepts, including rocks, soil, fossils, and the ways the Earth’s surface changes over time through processes like weathering and erosion. 

Overall, this learning supports students in understanding how the natural world is interconnected and why it is important to care for our environment.