It’s Electrifying
Primary Connections: / Stage 3Essential Learnings by the end of: / Year 7
Electrical energy is part of our everyday lives at home, at work and at school. We use electricity for refrigeration, machines and lighting. Portable devices such as mobile phones, watches and many toys rely on batteries for electrical energy. Electric circuits are needed to allow energy to be transferred from a battery to light bulbs, motors and buzzers, where it is changed into light, movement or sound.
The It’s electrifying unit provides opportunities for students to develop their understanding through hands-on activities that explore the role of electrons in transferring energy in electric circuits. Through investigating batteries, light bulbs, switches, conductors and insulators, students explain how battery-operated devices such as a torch work.
Primary Connections units are intended to be taught as whole units. The cross-referencing indicates how specific lessons relate to Ways of Working, within a whole unit.
In each cross-referencing document, there are shaded areas showing suggested teaching ideas that are not mentioned in the current Primary Connections resources. These ideas have been provided by Primary Connections personnel who are involved in the development of the cross-referencing document and the ideas are suggestions only, with teachers being encouraged to develop further ideas related to the Essential Learnings.
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Document shows actual links between Primary Connections and Essential Learnings
Shaded areas show possible/extension links
Primary Connections cross-referenced to Essential LearningsAdvice onlyWays of working
Lesson/teaching idea / Essential learnings statement
/ Lesson 1 What makes it go?
Lesson 2 Light up my life
Lesson 6 Problem-solvers- what’s it all about?
Lesson 7 Switched on / Identify problems and issues, and formulate testable scientific questions
/ Lesson 6 Problem solvers
Lesson 7 Switched on / Plan investigations, including identifying conditions for a fair comparison, variables to be changed and variables to be measured
/ Lesson 6 Problem solvers
Lesson 7 Switched on / Collect and analyse first- and second-hand data, information and evidence
/ Lesson 6 Problem solvers / Evaluate information and evidence and identify and analyse errors in data
/ Lesson 1 What makes it go?
Lesson 2 Light up my life
Lesson 3 Light bulb explorers
Lesson 6 Problem Solvers, what’s it all about?
Lesson 7 Switched on
Lesson 8 Bright sparks: Sharing what we know / Select and use scientific tools and technologies suited to the investigation
/ Lesson 6 Problem solvers
Lesson 7 Switched on / Draw conclusions that summarise and explain patterns in data and are supported by experimental evidence and scientific concepts
/ Lesson 1 What makes it go?
Lesson 2 Light up my life
Lesson 3 Light Bulb Explorers
Lesson 5 Enacting electrons
Lesson 6 Problem solvers
Lesson 7 Switched on / Communicate scientific ideas, data and evidence, using scientific terminology suited to the context and purpose
/ Whole unit especially emphasising batteries vs. 240volt power, compatible wires and voltage, correct handling of batteries as in lesson 2, compatibility of globes and batteries / Identify, apply and justify safe practices
/ Lesson 1 Discussion re advantages and disadvantages of battery-powered devices
Is the abundant supply of electricity in some places an asset to society? / Reflect on different points of view and recognise and clarify people’s values relating to the applications and impacts of science
/ Lesson 8, plus self-evaluation sheet (resource #1) / Reflect on learning, apply new understandings and identify future applications
Knowledge and Understanding-
Science impacts on people, their environment and their communities.
Lesson 4 Volta the battery makerUse of electricity / Scientific knowledge has been accumulated and refined over time and can be used to change the way people live.
Provision of types, cost of electricity, consumer usage education programs
Cost of batteries, who produces batteries and under what working conditions? / Ethical considerations are involved in decisions made about applications of science
Consider alternative ways of generating electricity e.g. solar, wind, thermal, tidal, renewable, non-renewable sources / Scientific knowledge can help to make natural, social and built environments sustainable at a scale ranging from local to global
Discoveries about electricity by non-western cultural groups / Different cultures, including those of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, have contributed to science and scientific practice
Knowledge and Understanding-
Earth and Beyond-Interactions and changes in physical systems and environments can be explained and predicted
Gravitational attraction between objects in the solar system holds them in fixed orbits, and has predictable effects on the earth.Changes to the Earth occur over time and can be interpreted using geological evidence.
Knowledge and Understanding-
Energy and Change-Forces and energy can be identified and analysed to provide useful explanations that benefit community lifestyles and decision-making.
Electromagnetic forces / The motion of an object changes as a result of the application of opposing or supporting forcesHow a battery works, chemical reactions / Renewable and non-renewable energy sources can be identified and used for different purposes
Whole unit / Energy can be transferred and transformed
Knowledge and Understanding-
Life and Living-Living things have structures that enable them to survive and reproduce.
Cells are the basic unit of all living things and perform functions that are needed to sustainand reproduce life.Systems of scientific classification can be applied to living things.
Survival of organisms is dependent on their adaptation to their environments.
Different feeding relationships exist within an ecosystem.
Knowledge and Understanding-
Natural and Processed Materials-Properties, changes and uses of materials are related to their particular composition.
Properties of a material will vary according to the type and quantity of components that make up its structureChemical reaction in batteries, fruit batteries / Chemical change produces new substances that have properties different from those of the original substances
Physical change produces no new substances
Links to Essential Learnings from other Key Learning Areas.
Lesson/teaching idea / Key Learning Area / Essential Learning StatementImpact of electricity on society / Technology / Reflect on and identify the impacts of products and processes on people, their communities
Circuits and switches / Technology / Select resources, techniques and tools to make products that meet specifications
Make products to meet specifications by manipulating and processing resources
Evaluate the suitability of products and processes for the purpose of context, and recommend improvements
Identify risks and apply safe practices
Extension task- using what you have learnt about electric circuits, design and make a signalling device / Technology / Select resources, techniques and tools to make products that meet specifications
Make products to meet specifications by manipulating and processing resources
Evaluate the suitability of products and processes for the purpose of context, and recommend improvements
Identify risks and apply safe practices
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Document shows actual links between Primary Connections and Essential Learnings