7–10Science 7–10 Syllabus
The new Science 7–10 Syllabus (2023) is to be implemented from 2026.
2024 and 2025 – Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2026 – Start teaching new syllabus
School sectors are responsible for implementing syllabuses and are best placed to provide schools with specific guidance and information on implementation given their understanding of their individual contexts.
Content
Stage 4
Working scientifically
In this focus area, students develop skills in using scientific tools and instruments for observations, as well as conducting investigations and communicating scientific ideas and concepts. Additional Working scientifically outcomes and skills may be integrated with this content.
Loading...Describe the characteristics of living things
Discuss the role and importance of classification in ordering and organising the diversity of life on Earth
Classify species using scientific conventions from the binomial system of classification, including kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species
Conduct an investigation to observe and identify the similarities and differences of structural features within and between groups of organisms
Investigate how organisms in an Australian habitat are adapted to their environment and document findings in a written scientific report
Interpret dichotomous keys to identify organisms surveyed in an Australian habitat
Explain how plants and animals are classified in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures based on their uses, forms and functions
Outline cell theory
Identify which cell structures and organelles are common in plant and animal cells
Describe the functions of the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus containing DNA, mitochondria and chloroplasts
Compare the structure of plant and animal cells to identify similarities and differences
Conduct an investigation to observe and record the similarities and differences between different cells, including fungi, bacteria, plant and animal cells, using microscopes and/or images obtained from microscopes
Identify cellular respiration via mitochondria, and photosynthesis via chloroplasts, as examples of important processes that take place in specialised organelles
Draw single-celled organisms observed under a microscope
Describe the role of specialised cells in multicellular organisms and explain why they are needed
Represent the arrangement of specialised cells in tissues and in organs
Examine the relationship between structure and function for a range of specialised cells
Conduct a practical investigation to observe and compare prepared slides of specialised cells
Research an organism to explain its classification and describe how it embodies all the characteristics shared by living things