Year 9 Science Achievement Standard
15 statements aligned to content descriptors and elaborations
Achievement standard (as ACARA publishes it)
Achievement standard
Click any sentence to jump to its statement and linked content descriptors.
By the end of Year 9 students explain how body systems provide a coordinated response to stimuli. They describe how the processes of sexual and asexual reproduction enable survival of the species. They explain how interactions within and between Earth’s spheres affect the carbon cycle. They analyse energy conservation in simple systems and apply wave and particle models to describe energy transfer. They explain observable chemical processes in terms of changes in atomic structure, atomic rearrangement and mass. Students explain the role of publication and peer review in the development of scientific knowledge and explain the relationship between science, technologies and engineering. They analyse the different ways in which science and society are interconnected.
Students plan and conduct safe, reproducible investigations to test or identify relationships and models. They describe how they have addressed any ethical and intercultural considerations when generating or using primary and secondary data. They select and use equipment to generate and record replicable data with precision. They select and construct appropriate representations to organise, process and summarise data and information. They analyse and connect data and information to identify and explain patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies. They analyse the impact of assumptions and sources of error in methods and evaluate the validity of conclusions and claims. They construct logical arguments based on evidence to support conclusions and evaluate claims. They select and use content, language and text features effectively to achieve their purpose when communicating their ideas, findings and arguments to specific audiences.
The 15 achievement standard statements
Open a statement to see the content descriptors ACARA links to it, then open a descriptor's elaborations.
By the end of Year 9 students explain how body systems provide a coordinated response to stimuli.
Content descriptorAC9S9U01 Science understanding
compare the role of body systems in regulating and coordinating the body’s response to a stimulus, and describe the operation of a negative feedback mechanism
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration exploring the body’s observable responses to external stimuli (such as changes in light or temperature, or presence of danger or pathogens) or internal stimuli (such as dehydration or hunger)
- Elaboration using models, flow diagrams and virtual simulations to explore and represent the relationships between body systems that are necessary to coordinate a response to stimuli
- Elaboration comparing the role and function of electrical impulses and hormones in the body’s responses to external stimuli
- Elaboration modelling how the process of regulation is monitored and adjusted by connections between the receptor, command centre and effector
- Elaboration examining the effects of a disorder in a feedback system, such as diabetes-induced blindness or hypothermia
- Elaboration considering how understanding of feedback mechanisms has enabled the development of pharmaceuticals and other products to address issues or enhance performance, such as insulin or electrolytes in sports drinks
They describe how the processes of sexual and asexual reproduction enable survival of the species.
Content descriptorAC9S9U02 Science understanding
describe the form and function of reproductive cells and organs in animals and plants, and analyse how the processes of sexual and asexual reproduction enable survival of the species
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration examining how the male and female reproductive organ structures work collectively as a system
- Elaboration explaining how the forms of male and female gametes relate to their specific function
- Elaboration identifying and comparing sexual and asexual reproductive strategies in plants
- Elaboration exploring how sexual reproduction creates a greater rate of variation among offspring compared with asexual reproduction
- Elaboration examining how the reproductive strategies of multicellular animals are related to their environment and the complexity of the organism
- Elaboration examining how the number of offspring produced by animals is related to the amount of parental care
They explain how interactions within and between Earth’s spheres affect the carbon cycle.
Content descriptorAC9S9U03 Science understanding
represent the carbon cycle and examine how key processes including combustion, photosynthesis and respiration rely on interactions between Earth’s spheres (the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere)
Elaborations (9)
- Elaboration identifying Earth as a system, describing Earth’s spheres and discussing examples of interactions between different spheres
- Elaboration examining the carbon cycle using diagrams, animations or simulations and explaining the role of photosynthesis and respiration in that cycle
- Elaboration identifying the impact of combustion reactions as a result of human activity on the carbon cycle
- Elaboration investigating the greenhouse effect and relating it to the role carbon dioxide plays in maintaining temperatures that support life on Earth
- Elaboration conducting a field investigation to evaluate carbon sequestration in an ecosystem, such as measuring tree biomass, deadwood, leaf litter and soil depth, and using formulas to calculate approximate carbon storage
- Elaboration investigating how First Nations Australians use fire-mediated chemical reactions to facilitate energy and nutrient transfer through the practice of firestick farming
- Elaboration investigating how First Nations Australians are reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions through the reinstatement of traditional fire management regimes
- Elaboration identifying how carbon dioxide is captured and stored naturally or through the use of technologies
- Elaboration calculating an individual’s carbon footprint, examining the impact of human activities and suggesting strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
They analyse energy conservation in simple systems and apply wave and particle models to describe energy transfer.
Content descriptorAC9S9U04 Science understanding
use wave and particle models to describe energy transfer through different mediums and examine the usefulness of each model for explaining phenomena
Elaborations (7)
- Elaboration describing the processes underlying convection and conduction of heat in terms of the particle model
- Elaboration modelling the transfer of sound energy as waves using slinky springs and relating to the medium through which the sound is transferred
- Elaboration examining how the particle model of electricity explains static electricity and electrical current and relating this to voltage, conductors and insulators
- Elaboration discussing the wave and particle models of energy transfer, including the concept of photons, and how they are useful for understanding aspects of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation
- Elaboration investigating aspects of heat transfer and conservation in the design of First Nations Australians’ bedding and clothing in the various climatic regions of Australia
- Elaboration investigating the impact of material selection on the transfer of sound energy in First Nations Australians’ traditional musical, hunting and communication instruments
- Elaboration examining the forms of electromagnetic radiation that are used in different modern communication technologies and identifying any limitations
Content descriptorAC9S9U05 Science understanding
apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations
Elaborations (7)
- Elaboration explaining that the law of conservation of energy explains that total energy is maintained in energy transfer and transformation in a system
- Elaboration explaining efficiency and recognising that in energy transfer and transformation a variety of processes can occur, so that the amount of usable energy is reduced and the system is not 100% efficient
- Elaboration using and critiquing representations such as Sankey diagrams to show energy inputs, changes and outputs in a system
- Elaboration investigating the efficiency of ground ovens used by First Nations Australians
- Elaboration comparing the efficiency of electricity generation from coal and other sources such as nuclear, hydroelectricity, gas, solar and wind
- Elaboration examining the meaning of energy star ratings given to appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines and criteria used to determine these ratings
- Elaboration examining how improving efficiency in energy transfer and transformations in sporting activities such as pole vaulting or archery improves athletic performance
They explain observable chemical processes in terms of changes in atomic structure, atomic rearrangement and mass.
Content descriptorAC9S9U06 Science understanding
explain how the model of the atom changed following the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons and describe how natural radioactive decay results in stable atoms
Elaborations (8)
- Elaboration comparing the mass and charge of protons, neutrons and electrons
- Elaboration examining how the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons resulted from experimental evidence and answered questions related to properties and behaviours of atoms
- Elaboration explaining that differences in the number of neutrons in atoms of the same element results in isotopes and that naturally occurring isotopes of some elements are unstable
- Elaboration describing in simple terms how different unstable isotopes decay such as radon-222 releasing an alpha particle, iodine-131 releasing a beta particle and cobalt-60 releasing gamma radiation to form stable atoms
- Elaboration defining half-life, examining the timescales of decay of different elements such as carbon-14 and uranium-238 and simulating or using digital simulations to examine radioactive decay including half-life
- Elaboration investigating how radiocarbon and other dating methods have been used to establish that First Peoples of Australia have been present on the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years
- Elaboration identifying where applications of radioactivity are used in medicine and industry such as diagnosing and treating cancer and checking for faults in materials used in aircraft and spacecraft
- Elaboration discussing how mass and energy are connected at all scales and energy conversion processes within atomic nuclei
Content descriptorAC9S9U07 Science understanding
model the rearrangement of atoms in chemical reactions using a range of representations, including word and simple balanced chemical equations, and use these to demonstrate the law of conservation of mass
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration identifying reactants and products in chemical reactions
- Elaboration using models and representations to show the rearrangement of atoms in chemical reactions
- Elaboration investigating chemical reactions in closed and open systems and relating data obtained to the law of conservation of mass
- Elaboration writing symbolic equations that are easy to balance and explaining, using the law of conservation of mass, and atoms, the rationale for balancing chemical equations
- Elaboration investigating why most elements are not found in their elemental state and processes which are used to obtain the element
- Elaboration predicting how ideas of green chemistry such as minimising the amount of unusable waste products, energy use and using more environmentally friendly chemical processes will affect the environment
Students explain the role of publication and peer review in the development of scientific knowledge and explain the relationship between science, technologies and engineering.
Content descriptorAC9S9H01 Science as a human endeavour
explain how scientific knowledge is validated and refined, including the role of publication and peer review
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration investigating the process of publishing a paper in a scientific journal such as Science, which receives about 12,000 submissions per year, and considering how editors evaluate submitted papers
- Elaboration investigating how the publication of data and findings related to the reintroduction of First Nations Australians’ traditional fire regimes has informed more effective fire-reduction strategies and policies
- Elaboration exploring why the work of Professor Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren related to the cause of peptic ulcers was first rejected for publication then later validated
- Elaboration examining the scientific consensus supporting global warming
- Elaboration researching how JJ Thomson’s discovery of the electron, Robert Millikan’s oil drop experiment, and Ernest Rutherford’s gold foil experiment provide consistency of evidence for the particle model of electricity
- Elaboration examining how Marie and Pierre Curie’s discovery of new elements was validated
Content descriptorAC9S9H02 Science as a human endeavour
investigate how advances in technologies enable advances in science, and how science has contributed to developments in technologies and engineering
Elaborations (7)
- Elaboration analysing how the development of imaging technologies has improved our understanding of the functions and interactions of body systems
- Elaboration considering the impact of technological advances developed in Australia such as the cochlear implant pioneered by Professor Graeme Clark, the Monash Vison Group’s work on a bionic eye, Professor Fiona Woods’s development of spray-on skin and Doctor John O’Sullivan and CSIRO’s invention of wi-fi
- Elaboration researching how technological advances in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental factors have contributed to the reinstatement of traditional fire management practices as a strategy to reduce atmospheric pollution
- Elaboration examining how properties of electromagnetic radiation relate to its uses, such as radar, medicine, mobile phone communications, remote sensing and microwave cooking
- Elaboration exploring how scientists and engineers make machines more energy efficient
- Elaboration exploring how understanding of the nature of matter and energy has changed over time, and how modern technology has enabled exploration of energy conversion processes at all scales, from black holes to atoms to sub-atomic particles
- Elaboration examining how advances in understanding of radioactivity and radioisotopes have led to new applications and technologies
They analyse the different ways in which science and society are interconnected.
Content descriptorAC9S9H03 Science as a human endeavour
analyse the key factors that contribute to science knowledge and practices being adopted more broadly by society
Elaborations (7)
- Elaboration researching citizen science projects related to public health and examining why people would choose to be involved
- Elaboration investigating how the practices adopted by society based on research by Australian Dr Helen Mayo led to a reduction in infant mortality
- Elaboration examining how assisted reproductive technologies have become widely used since their initial development
- Elaboration examining how government initiatives such as Landcare support adoption of effective land restoration practices that improve soil quality and increase carbon sequestration in soils
- Elaboration investigating how First Nations Australians’ fire management practices are informing and being adopted in contemporary fire management
- Elaboration analysing factors that have led to the adoption of solar panels and battery storage by individuals, industries and communities
- Elaboration investigating how an understanding of materials and concern for the environment have led to the adoption of widespread recycling practices
Content descriptorAC9S9H04 Science as a human endeavour
examine how the values and needs of society influence the focus of scientific research
Elaborations (7)
- Elaboration exploring how governments determine which scientific research projects should be funded
- Elaboration exploring how Australia has developed an artificial intelligence system which is used to predict the likelihood of a viable pregnancy from transfer of a single embryo to a woman undergoing in-vitro fertilisation
- Elaboration researching how First Nations Peoples of the Torres Strait are at the forefront of the development of scientific measures to prevent the transfer of certain infectious diseases and pests to the Australian continent
- Elaboration investigating how the need to minimise greenhouse gas production has led to scientific and technological advances
- Elaboration considering innovative energy transfer devices, including those used in transport and communication
- Elaboration considering how the development of new materials and procedures has contributed to safe sound levels for humans in the workplace and leisure activities
- Elaboration examining why many manufacturers are adopting green chemistry processes
Students plan and conduct safe, reproducible investigations to test or identify relationships and models.
Content descriptorAC9S9I01 Science inquiry
develop investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses to test relationships and develop explanatory models
Elaborations (5)
- Elaboration discussing what is needed for a question to be investigable or a prediction to be reasoned
- Elaboration generating investigable questions about the relationships between human body systems and everyday events, such as: ‘How does the intensity of exercise affect heart rate and breathing rate?’
- Elaboration developing investigable questions to explore an explanatory model, such as: ‘How is sound wave transfer affected by the density of the medium through which it travels? What causes our body temperature to rise when we are ill?’
- Elaboration discussing why a scientific hypothesis has to be able to be supported or refuted through evidence
- Elaboration proposing a hypothesis to test an identified relationship, such as: ‘If objects of different temperatures are placed in contact, heat energy will transfer from an object of higher temperature to an object of lower temperature until both objects reach the same temperature’
Content descriptorAC9S9I02 Science inquiry
plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and, as appropriate, developing and following risk assessments, considering ethical issues, and addressing key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration discussing what is meant by validity and reproducibility and how they relate to the method used in an investigation
- Elaboration determining the reproducibility of a field investigation using survey techniques that seek to answer a question such as: ‘How much traffic passes the school during a designated period of time?’
- Elaboration identifying possible sources of error in methods then examining if further testing or extra variable control is needed
- Elaboration identifying the potential hazards of chemicals or biological materials and processes used in experimental investigations and identifying how these should be addressed
- Elaboration discussing the ethical and social issues involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes before starting an investigation involving animals
- Elaboration recognising First Nations Australians’ heritage laws and public responsibilities to report new sites or artefacts, and developing awareness of the consequences for disturbing heritage sites on, above or below the land surface, or in waters
They describe how they have addressed any ethical and intercultural considerations when generating or using primary and secondary data.
Content descriptorAC9S9I02 Science inquiry
plan and conduct valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and, as appropriate, developing and following risk assessments, considering ethical issues, and addressing key considerations regarding heritage sites and artefacts on Country/Place
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration discussing what is meant by validity and reproducibility and how they relate to the method used in an investigation
- Elaboration determining the reproducibility of a field investigation using survey techniques that seek to answer a question such as: ‘How much traffic passes the school during a designated period of time?’
- Elaboration identifying possible sources of error in methods then examining if further testing or extra variable control is needed
- Elaboration identifying the potential hazards of chemicals or biological materials and processes used in experimental investigations and identifying how these should be addressed
- Elaboration discussing the ethical and social issues involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes before starting an investigation involving animals
- Elaboration recognising First Nations Australians’ heritage laws and public responsibilities to report new sites or artefacts, and developing awareness of the consequences for disturbing heritage sites on, above or below the land surface, or in waters
They select and use equipment to generate and record replicable data with precision.
Content descriptorAC9S9I03 Science inquiry
select and use equipment to generate and record data with precision to obtain useful sample sizes and replicable data, using digital tools as appropriate
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration using an electronic balance that measures within the parameters of the required mass, and recording data to the correct number of significant figures using correct units
- Elaboration using data loggers and choosing correct scale and appropriate output representation
- Elaboration examining the degree of accuracy that different instruments provide, such as a measuring cylinder compared with a pipette, and recording data values to the correct degree of precision using appropriate scientific notation
- Elaboration considering the replicability of data collected using different instruments, including the inaccuracies that may be introduced when taking measurements
- Elaboration discussing the amount of data needed to produce a useful sample size and why sample size is important
- Elaboration considering an appropriate sample size for the investigation, and how the use of digital tools might enable more-efficient data collection for larger sample sizes
They select and construct appropriate representations to organise, process and summarise data and information.
Content descriptorAC9S9I04 Science inquiry
select and construct appropriate representations, including tables, graphs, descriptive statistics, models and mathematical relationships, to organise and process data and information
Elaborations (5)
- Elaboration using spreadsheet software to present data in tabular and graphical forms
- Elaboration identifying which sample properties, such as mean, median and range, are the most appropriate to use to make generalisations
- Elaboration applying algorithms to measure carbon storage of different vegetation types
- Elaboration applying ratios to accurately represent usable and waste energy in transfer and transformation diagrams such as Sankey diagrams
- Elaboration comparing the information provided by molecular models and word and balanced symbolic chemical equations when examining the law of conservation of mass
They analyse and connect data and information to identify and explain patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies.
Content descriptorAC9S9I05 Science inquiry
analyse and connect a variety of data and information to identify and explain patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies
Elaborations (5)
- Elaboration discussing the validity of the data when extrapolating from a graph
- Elaboration analysing representations of data from atmospheric monitoring and ice cores to identify patterns and trends in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, highlighting inconsistencies
- Elaboration comparing published data with experimental data such as the sound-insulating levels of different materials and identifying any trends or patterns in differences, such as: ‘The published sound levels are usually higher than the experimentally determined levels’
- Elaboration analysing data on heat transfer through multiple layers of an insulating material and identifying patterns and proportional relationships, such as: ‘When the thickness of the material is doubled the amount of heat transferred is halved’
- Elaboration examining tables, graphs and digital simulations of radioactive decay half-life to predict changes in mass over time
They analyse the impact of assumptions and sources of error in methods and evaluate the validity of conclusions and claims.
Content descriptorAC9S9I06 Science inquiry
assess the validity and reproducibility of methods and evaluate the validity of conclusions and claims, including by identifying assumptions, conflicting evidence and areas of uncertainty
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration discussing what is meant by ‘validity’ and how the validity of information in secondary sources can be evaluated
- Elaboration identifying gaps or weaknesses in conclusions and relating these to the validity and reproducibility of the method
- Elaboration identifying assumptions in methods and determining the impact these could have on the validity of the conclusion
- Elaboration analysing methods and conclusions to identify facts or premises that are taken for granted to be true, and evaluating the reasonableness of those assumptions
- Elaboration considering if areas of uncertainty could lead to a viable alternative conclusion
- Elaboration considering how general practitioners manage conflicting evidence to diagnose illness
They construct logical arguments based on evidence to support conclusions and evaluate claims.
Content descriptorAC9S9I07 Science inquiry
construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence to support conclusions or evaluate claims, and consider any ethical issues and cultural protocols associated with accessing, using or citing secondary data or information
Elaborations (7)
- Elaboration examining secondary data to determine the credibility of the source and the validity and reproducibility of the data
- Elaboration identifying multiple sources of evidence that are consistent with a claim such as the effectiveness of a vaccine
- Elaboration interrogating the evidence and reasoning used to justify claims regarding the age of ancient artefacts
- Elaboration researching the methods used by scientists in studies reported in the media to evaluate the validity of the headlines
- Elaboration examining secondary data to ensure it does not contain personal information which could potentially harm individuals, is correctly cited and is relevant to the investigation question or claim
- Elaboration acknowledging and identifying the relationship between First Peoples’ knowledges and contemporary science and the co-contributions in arriving at shared understandings when working ‘both ways’
- Elaboration acknowledging and constructing an argument for the contributions to medicine of First Nations Australians’ knowledges of physiological pathways and contemporary medicinal delivery systems
They select and use content, language and text features effectively to achieve their purpose when communicating their ideas, findings and arguments to specific audiences.
Content descriptorAC9S9I08 Science inquiry
write and create texts to communicate ideas, findings and arguments effectively for identified purposes and audiences, including selection of appropriate content, language and text features, using digital tools as appropriate
Elaborations (6)
- Elaboration comparing and contrasting scientific texts addressing similar topics for different purposes or audiences, and analysing the author’s (or authors’) selection of content or use of language and text features
- Elaboration selecting appropriate content and language which is culturally responsive and maintains cultural protocols, considering sensitivities in communicating First Nations Australians’ knowledges and managing risks of offensive narratives, language, images and attributions
- Elaboration writing a report on a scientific investigation including: an introductory paragraph that explains or references scientific theories, processes or other related knowledge that gives background information to the investigation; an explanation of the results obtained using scientific knowledge; and a discussion that considers validity and reproducibility
- Elaboration developing an interactive presentation that shows feedback loops in human body systems
- Elaboration planning a social media campaign to encourage young people to reduce their carbon footprint
- Elaboration collaborating to prepare a written report for local government on estimated carbon storage across different local ecosystems and proposals to increase carbon storage across the area
This achievement standard describes the expected learning for Year 9 Science. Use it to plan teaching and assessment with the Australian Curriculum v9.
At a Glance
| Strand | Substrand | CDs | Elaborations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science as a human endeavour | Nature and development of science | 2 | 13 |
| Science as a human endeavour | Use and influence of science | 2 | 14 |
| Science inquiry | Questioning and predicting | 1 | 5 |
| Science inquiry | Planning and conducting | 2 | 12 |
| Science inquiry | Processing, modelling and analysing | 2 | 10 |
| Science inquiry | Evaluating | 2 | 13 |
| Science inquiry | Communicating | 1 | 6 |
| Science understanding | Biological sciences | 2 | 12 |
| Science understanding | Earth and space sciences | 1 | 9 |
| Science understanding | Physical sciences | 2 | 14 |
| Science understanding | Chemical sciences | 2 | 14 |
| Total | 19 | 122 | |