Australian Curriculum: Science (Year 3)

Sub-strands Content Descriptions Achievement Standard

Biological sciences  Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living In Year 3, students observe heat and its
things (ACSSU044) effects on solids and liquids and begin to
develop an understanding of energy flows
through simple systems. In observing day
and night, they develop an appreciation of
Chemical sciences  A change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat (ACSSU046) regular and predictable cycles. Students
order their observations by grouping and
Earth and space  Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (ACSSU048) classifying; in classifying things as living or
non-living they begin to recognise that
sciences
classifications are not always easy to
 Heat can be produced in many ways and can move from one object to another (ACSSU049) define or apply. They begin to quantify
Physical sciences
their observations to enable comparison
and learn more sophisticated ways of
Nature and  Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships (ACSHE050) identifying and representing relationships,
development of including the use of tables and graphs to
science identify trends. They use their
 Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE051) understanding of relationships between
Use and influence of components of simple systems to make
science
predictions.
Questioning and  With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based
predicting on prior knowledge (ACSIS053)

Planning and  With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of
conducting appropriate materials and equipment (ACSIS054)
 Consider the elements of fair tests and use formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate, to make and
record observations accurately (ACSIS055)
Processing and  Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and
analysing data and trends (ACSIS057)
information  Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings (ACSIS215)

Evaluating  Reflect on investigations, including whether a test was fair or not (ACSIS058)

Communicating  Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings using formal and informal representations (ACSIS060)

Cross Curriculum Priorities

General capabilities
 Literacy  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
 Numeracy
 Information and communication technology (ICT) competence  Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
 Critical and creative thinking
 Ethical behaviour  Sustainability
 Personal and social competence
 Intercultural understanding
Australian Curriculum: Science (Year 3)

Sub-strands Content Descriptions Achievement Standard