Cause and effect
Stage 6 Investigating science - Modules 1 & 2
Students engage their senses to make observations in a natural environment. They collect secondary information on Dharwal resources and use instruments to collect primary data. On a bushwalk down the Honeymoon Track, students make and record observations and inferences about the natural world. A highlight of the day is sampling for macroinvertebrates in the Hacking River and calculating a SIGNAL score to assess water quality.
Excursions can be conducted at multiple locations and tailored to suit specific school programs or depth study requirements.
Site options include
- Honeymoon Track to Allambie Flat
- Engadine Wetlands
Learning activities
- Use senses to observe and record features of the environment
- Examine Dharawal resources and their uses
- Make observations and inferences throughout the day
- Measure and record qualitative and quantitative observations of abiotic factors
- Measure abiotic factors in a freshwater stream and use results to assess water quality
- Complete an aquatic macroinvertebrate study and assess water quality
Syllabus outcomes
Stage 6 Investigating Science (2017)
- develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation INS11/12-1
- conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information INS11/12-3
- selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media INS11/12-4
- identifies that the collection of primary and secondary data initiates scientific investigations
INS11-8