Year 4 Overview |
In Year 4, approximately 17 hours of teaching time is allocated to Science per term. Over the course of the year, students explore topics in each of four scientific disciplines: Biological, Earth and Space, Chemical and Physical Sciences. The order of the studies and the contexts for learning have been selected to promote opportunities for cross-disciplinary projects, particularly with Technologies and Geography.
Do We Really Need Bees? |
This 6-8 week Biological Science unit explores the importance of bees and other pollinators in the reproduction processes of plants and the implications for their disappearance on our ecosystem. It has possible links to Geography concepts and leads into a Design and Technology project in which students are challenged to design a solution to promote bees in our community.
Our Changing Earth |
Through this Earth and Space Science unit, students explore and examine geological processes and phenomena and how these change the Earth’s surface over time. They particularly explore geological formations in Australia, South America and Africa in order to develop an underlying understanding of the landscapes in these continents to deepen their studies in Geography. They consider how human impacts through deforestation, farming practices and urbanisation have also changed the Earth's surface. They look for evidence of erosion in the schoolgrounds.
Plastics: Perfect, Practical or Problematic? |
In a Chemical Science investigation, students explore the range of physical properties of various natural and processed materials. They consider how these properties can influence decisions about their use and develop a brief understanding of the history of plastics and the problems they are causing to our environment. This unit lays the foundation for further understanding in Geography through the unit "Up the Creek, Down the Drain". It also links to Civics & Citizenship through exploring issues of waste management at the local council level, as well as some concepts in Design & Technology.
Let's Build a Theme Park! |
Students explore forces through this Physical Science unit. They become "Imagineers" as they apply their new learning to the design and construction of a model theme park ride.