This 7-lesson unit covers all the Year 4 Chemical Sciences material for the Australian National Curriculum. Throughout the unit, students consider the choices that designers and engineers make and the physical properties of the materials that influence those choices.

The unit culminates in a STEAM activity where students use their new understanding of materials to design a real-world solution to a fictional problem.

7 x 1 hour lessons
Cross curriculum
16x resources/worksheets
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Australian Curriculum - (QLD/SA/WA/NT/TAS/ACT)

AC9S4U04

Examine the properties of natural and made materials including fibres, metals, glass and plastics and consider how these properties influence their use


AC9S4H01

Examine how people use data to develop scientific explanations


AC9S4H02

Consider how people use scientific explanations to meet a need or solve a problem


AC9S4I01

Pose questions to explore observed patterns and relationships and make predictions based on observations


AC9S4I02

Use provided scaffolds to plan and conduct investigations to answer questions or test predictions, including identifying the elements of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment


AC9S4I03

Follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate


AC9S4I04

Construct and use representations, including tables, simple column graphs and visual or physical models, to organise data and information, show simple relationships and identify patterns


AC9S4I06

Write and create texts to communicate findings and ideas for identified purposes and audiences, using scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate


AC9S1I03

Make and record observations, including informal measurements, using digital tools as appropriate


ACSSU074

Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence their use


ACSHE061

Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships


ACSHE062

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions


ACSIS064

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on prior knowledge


ACSIS065

With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment


ACSIS066

Consider the elements of fair tests and use formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate, to make and record observations accurately


ACSIS068

Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends


ACSIS216

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings


ACSIS071

Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings using formal and informal representations


NSW

ST2-1WS-S

Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations


ST2-2DP-T

Selects and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity


ST2-6MW-S

Describes how adding or removing heat causes a change of state


ST2-7MW-T

Investigates the suitability of natural and processed materials for a range of purposes


ST2-4LW-S

Compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things


ST2-5LW-T

Describes how agricultural processes are used to grow plants and raise animals for food, clothing and shelter


ST2-10ES-S

Investigates regular changes caused by interactions between the Earth and the Sun, and changes to the Earth’s surface


ST2-8PW-ST

Describes the characteristics and effects of common forms of energy, such as light and heat


ST2-9PW-ST

Describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion


ST2-3DP-T

Defines problems, describes and follows algorithms to develop solutions


ST2-11DI-T

Describes how digital systems represent and transmit data


VIC

VCSSU060

Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; these properties can influence their use


VCSSU056

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions


VCSIS065

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge


VCSIS067

Safely use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and technologies


VCSIS068

Use formal measurements in the collection and recording of observations


VCSIS069

Use a range of methods including tables and column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends


VCSIS070

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings


VCSIS072

Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings to show patterns and relationships using formal and informal scientific language


Overview

The key concepts in this unit include:
 

  • Materials are the substances that make up the manufactured world around us.
  • Different materials have different properties and do different things, so designers have to make choices about what materials they use to make things.
  • A property of a material is any characteristic of that material that does not depend on the amount of that material.
  • Some properties are constant (they do not change), while others might depend on another variable.
  • Materials have three types of properties, Functional, Manufacturing, and Economic.
  • Different materials have different levels of sustainability and environmental impact.
Learning Intention
  • We are learning to understand that natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence how they are used, e.g. metal and plastic waste can lead to pollution.
  • We are learning to understand that natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence how they are used, e.g. metal and plastic waste can lead to pollution.
Linked Resources & Activities
Linked Worksheets