Science

Year 7

Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the sun, Earth and the moon (ACSSU115)

  • Consider local Indigenous knowledge about the seasons, the sun, the earth and the moon and how they are represented through their languages, songs, rituals and social organisation.

  • Reflect on these knowledges and consider: how they are still used on a daily basis today; the learnings that can be gained with regard climate change and their relevance in terms of health and well being of all Australians.

  • Investigate the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander seasons in your local area or region (or see Indigenous Weather Knowledge on BOM website for more details) and use the appropriate language names for each season identifying the language and ‘country’ they are from.

Water is an important resource that cycles through the environment (ACSSU222)

  • Investigate the intricate and important part of cultural life that water plays in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and groups. Learn local language words for water and water related concepts.

Science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines of science (ACSHE223)

  • Consider how Indigenous knowledge and languages can play a unique and invaluable role in western science.

  • Reflect on the importance of promoting understanding of Indigenous knowledges and languages and look into appropriate ways to connect with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to share their knowledges and languages.

Year 8

Energy appears in different forms including movement (kinetic energy), heat and potential energy, and causes change within systems (ACSSU155)

  • Investigate the technique of fire farming or bush burning in different language groups across the country e.g. Yolungu people of East Arhem Land; Martu language group of Punmu in Western Australia.

Year 9

Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems (ACSSU176)

  • Consider the holistic ways and understandings of the world from Indigenous perspectives and consider the interconnectedness of land, language and culture that Aboriginal groups and Torres Strait Islander groups share. Also consider the differences between Australia’s two distinct cultures and the diversity of language groups and ‘countries’ within them.

People can use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they should accept claims, explanations or predictions (ACSHE160)

  • Acknowledge and reflect on knowledges from other languages and cultures e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, values and belief systems that are embedded in the languages, the land and through culture. Consider these knowledges as valued perspectives on seeing the world in diverse ways.

Year 10

The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe (ACSSU188)

  • Compare the Big Bang theory to theories from other languages and cultures such as the value and belief embedded in Aboriginal spirituality through care and connection to the land.

  • Research Aboriginal astronomy and spirituality and stories from language groups in your local area (both traditional custodians as well as those of other local community members with connections to other places).