Year 9 Science takes students into bigger, deeper ideas about how the world works. They explore how body systems respond to change, how the carbon cycle links Earth’s spheres, how electrical energy is transferred and transformed, and how chemical change can be explained at theatomic level. Students are expected to think more critically, use evidence more carefully, and make stronger links between scientific ideas and real-world issues. It is a year of moving beyond simple observation and into explanation — helping students see science as a powerful way to investigate patterns, solve problems and understand the forces shaping life on Earth.
Unit 1: Earth and Space
Students will understand the balanced chemical equations for photosynthesis, respiration and combustion. They will explain how the carbon cycle is influenced by interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere. They will investigate growth rate/biomass in plants. Discuss useful sample size and why sample size is important. Use excel to present data in tabular and graphical forms; understand sample properties, such as mean, median and range .
| Unit 1 Assessment
Primary investigation growth rate of duckweed.
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Unit 2: Biology
Students will understand the nervous system in coordinating the body’s response to a stimulus. They will evaluate the claim that dominant hands have a faster reaction time. Discuss useful sample size and why sample size is important. Use excel to present data in tabular and graphical forms; understand sample properties, such as mean, median and range. They will understand the endocrine system in coordinating the body’s response to a stimulus. They will also explain the negative feedback mechanism for blood glucose levels. Using learning from hands-on investigations students will describe the form and function of reproductive cells and organs in animals and plants. They will analyse how the processes of sexual and asexual reproduction enable survival of the species.
| Unit 2 Assessment Primary investigation to evaluate a claim. Shortexam on Endocrine system and control of blood glucose. Written response to stimuli: Sexual and asexual reproduction; variation; advantages for servival of species.
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Unit 3: Chemistry
Students will examine the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons. They will describe how natural radioactive decay results in stable atoms. They will examine how advances in understanding of radioactivity and radioisotopes have led to new applications and technologies. Using learning from multiple hands-on investigations students will 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.
| Unit 3 Assessment Digital presentation on unstable atoms and their application. Exam.
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Unit 4: Physics
Students will classify energy transfer under the model waves or particles. Wave model covers transfer in water, sound or radiation (e.g. visible light and infrared via the electromagnetic spectrum). Particle model covers convection, conduction and electricity. Using learning from multiple hands-on investigations students will describe energy transfer using wave and particle models. Students will understand and analyse conservation of energy in simple systems. They will also analyse the factors that have led to the adoption of solar panels and battery storage by individuals, industries or communities.
| Unit 4 Assessment Portfolio of pracs describing energy transfer using wave and particle models. Conservation of energy report.
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