Year 7 Science

Introduction to Science

Foundational scientific skills: branches of science, the scientific method, observation vs inference, lab safety and equipment, designing fair tests, recording and presenting data, and science in Australian society including CSIRO and Indigenous science knowledge.

Classification of Living Things

AC9S7U01: Biological diversity, Linnaean classification system (7 levels), five kingdoms, binomial nomenclature, dichotomous keys, vertebrate and invertebrate classification, plant and microorganism classification, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander classification systems.

Ecosystems & Food Webs

AC9S7U02: Biotic and abiotic factors, habitats and adaptation, food chains and food webs, energy flow and trophic levels, nutrient cycling, human impacts on ecosystems, Australian ecosystems under threat (Great Barrier Reef, Murray-Darling Basin), and schoolyard ecosystem investigations.

Particle Theory & States of Matter

AC9S7U05: The particle model of matter, particle arrangement and motion in solids, liquids, and gases, changing states (melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation), expansion, contraction, and diffusion. Hands-on investigations with the human particle model.

Mixtures & Separation Techniques

AC9S7U06: Pure substances vs mixtures, types of mixtures (solutions, suspensions, colloids), dissolving and solubility, separation techniques (filtration, evaporation, crystallisation, distillation, chromatography), water treatment in Australia, and multi-step separation challenges.

Earth in Space — Day, Night & Seasons

AC9S7U03: Solar system overview, Earth's rotation (day/night), revolution (year), axial tilt and seasons, solstices and equinoxes, weather vs climate, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seasonal calendars (Noongar six seasons). Shadow tracking and daylight investigations.

The Moon — Phases, Eclipses & Tides

AC9S7U03: Moon phases (new to full cycle), solar and lunar eclipses, tidal bulges and spring/neap tides, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomy (Yolngu tidal knowledge, Emu in the Sky), and Australia's contributions to space exploration (Parkes telescope, Tidbinbilla).

Forces in Action

AC9S7U04: Definition of force (push/pull), contact vs non-contact forces, measuring forces with spring scales, balanced and unbalanced forces, net force, gravity and weight vs mass. Practical investigations including tug of war, toy car ramps, and forces in sport.

Friction, Air Resistance & Real-World Forces

AC9S7U04: Friction (helpful vs unhelpful), static vs kinetic friction, air resistance and drag, Galileo's falling objects experiment, forces and safety (seatbelts, helmets, crumple zones), engineering with forces (bridges, levers), and a Year 7 Science wrap-up.

Chapter Guides