Science

Watch now: To find out more about this curriculum area, watch ‘Understanding the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0, Science’ on the Resources page.

Rationale and Aims

Rationale

Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour arising from our curiosity and desire to make sense of our world. Through science, we explore the unknown, investigate universal phenomena, make predictions and solve problems. Science is an empirical way of asking and answering questions about the changing world we live in, which is undergoing both natural and human-induced changes. Scientific knowledge is revised, refined and extended as new evidence arises and in response to peer review.

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 Science provides opportunities for students to experience the wonder of understanding the world scientifically. It enables students to develop an understanding of key science concepts and processes, the inquiry practices used to acquire and develop scientific knowledge, science’s contribution to our cultures and society, and applications of science in our lives.

The curriculum supports students to investigate their own questions of interest. Students apply critical and creative thinking skills to evaluate processes and findings, and to justify investigation conclusions, proposals and solutions. They evaluate different points of view and form evidence-based arguments about contemporary local, national and global issues that involve science. They are provided opportunities to work both individually and in teams. Students may go on to access further study, and to a variety of careers and jobs related to science.

Aims

Science aims to ensure that students develop:

• an interest in science as a way of expanding their curiosity and willingness to investigate the changing world they live in
• a solid foundation of knowledge of the biological, chemical, Earth and space, and physical sciences
• an understanding of the dynamic nature of scientific knowledge, including historical and global contributions, and the roles of evidence, peer review and consensus
• an ability to select and integrate scientific knowledge and practices to explain, predict and understand phenomena and to apply understanding to new situations and events
• an understanding of scientific inquiry and the ability to use a range of scientific inquiry practices
• skills in data generation, representation, interpretation, analysis and evaluation
• an ability to solve problems, evaluate and debate scientific explanations and arguments, and justify conclusions and claims with evidence
• an ability to communicate scientific understanding and findings to a range of audiences
• an understanding of the relationship between science and society, including the diversity of science careers.