Science
Science provides an empirical way of answering interesting and
important questions about the biological, physical and
technological world. Science is a dynamic, collaborative and
creative human endeavour arising from our desire to make sense of
our world by exploring the unknown, investigating universal
mysteries, making predictions and solving problems.
Our Science program provides opportunities for students to develop
an understanding of important scientific concepts and processes,
the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, the
contribution of science to our culture and society, and its
applications in our lives. It also supports students in developing
the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills to make
informed decisions about local, national and global issues.
The Science program at Essendon Primary aims to:
- Develop student interest in science as a means of
expanding their curiosity, willingness to explore, ask questions
about and speculate on the changing world in which they live
- Develop and increase student understanding of the nature
of living things, of the Earth and its place in the cosmos, and of
the physical and chemical processes that explain the behaviour of
all material things.
- Develop and deepen skills in scientific inquiry and the
ability to use a range of scientific inquiry methods, including
questioning, planning and conducting experiments and
investigations based on ethical principles, collecting and
analysing data, evaluating results, and drawing critical,
evidence-based conclusions
- Develop skills in communicating scientific understandings
and findings to a range of audiences, justifying ideas on the
basis of evidence, and evaluating and debating scientific
arguments and claims.
- Develop students' ability to solve problems and make
informed, evidence-based decisions about current and future
applications of science while taking into account ethical and
social implications of decisions.
- Develop student understanding of historical and cultural
contributions to science as well as contemporary science issues
and activities and an understanding of the diversity of careers
related to science.
Each class has one Science session per week. This year in Science,
Grades Prep to 2 will be learning about materials and their
properties, living things and their features, weather and seasonal
changes and the way that lights and sounds can be produced. Grade
3/4 will be focussing on how temperature impacts different
materials, the observable features in living and non-living
things, fair testing and how the earth's rotation and axis causes
changes. Grade 5/6 will be developing and deepening their
understanding of observable properties in gases, liquids and
solids, adaptations and structural features that help living
things survive, planets and the earth’s place in the solar system
and the way that light can be absorbed, reflected and refracted.