Students achieve greater success when the information they learn is connected to big ideas. The philosophy of Oxford Big Ideas Science 1 will enable students to develop deep, transferable understanding and skills by relating the concepts taught in the science laboratory back to the big ideas of science: Matter, Systems and Energy.

Title overview (PDF)

For more information on Oxford Big Ideas titles visit www.oxfordbigideas.com

• Written from scratch in response to the VELS Level 5 curriculum
• Explicitly teaches thinking skills in conjunction with content
• Uses a sophisticated approach to skill development including mathematics, scientific literacy and technical skills
• Provides a multitude of questions (Bloom’s Taxonomy), experiments and activities catering for multiple learning styles and abilities
• Stunning visuals and real-life contexts for maximum student engagement
• e-book on CD-ROM includes editable question blocks and enhanced search tools

Part I: Science Skills

1. Curiosity, wonder and questioning: How do we explore science?

Part II: Matter

2. Water matters: How does matter behave?

3. Crime science: How do we work with matter?

Part III: Systems

4. Life on Earth: How is life on Earth organised?

5. All about me: What kind of living system am I?

6. Essential plants: Where do plants fit into our living system?

7. Earth in space: Why is Earth called the ‘living planet’?

Part IV: Energy

8. Sound energy: What is sound energy?

9. Forces: What are forces?

SERIES CONSULTANTS

Angela Stubbs
Angela Stubbs has been science coordinator at Star of the Sea College for 10 years and has taught 7–10 science and VCE chemistry throughout this period. This year she has relinquished the coordinator role to focus on her teaching commitments and other pursuits such as writing and exploring new technologies.

Angela is passionate about making science education relevant and exciting and has a particular interest in IWB resources for the science classroom. She has co-authored a VCE chemistry textbook series and is a regular presenter at science conferences.

Daniela Nardelli
Daniela Nardelli is a full-time teacher and Head of Science at Koonung Secondary College in Mont Albert North. Her previous role was Head of Science at Balwyn High School. Daniela has taught for over 8 years in junior science, physics and mathematics. She has written and published textbooks all through her teaching career.

Daniela is an innovative educator and writer who has delivered a number of seminars and workshops at Science conferences on topics such as multiple intelligences and VELS education. Daniela is dedicated to excellence in science education and is passionate about delivering resources that bring science out of the classroom and into the ‘real world’.

AUTHOR TEAM

Debbie Calder

Leanne Compton

Ellaine Downie

Lynda Schulz

REVIEW PANEL

Francesca Calati

Amanda Clarke

Craig Cleeland

Dr Christina Hart

Greg Laidler

Rebecca Paton

Dr Jonathon P. Smith

Craig Tilley

Dr Mary Vail

Dr Richard Walding

Contents (1.5mb)
Chapter 4 (8.4mb)

Part 1: Science Skills
Chapter 1: Curiosity, wonder and questioning

Chapter test (704kb)
Chapter test answers (344kb)
Teaching program (288kb)
Student self-test (144kb)
Student self-test answers (464kb)
Worksheet 1.1 (464kb)
Worksheet 1.2 (488kb)
Worksheet 1.3 (464kb)
Worksheet answers (488kb)

Types of equipment

Part 1: Science skills
1.0 Curiosity, wonder and questioning: How do we explore science?
Student self-test
Worksheet 1.1 - What do questions have to do with science?
Worksheet 1.2 - How do we do science safely?
Worksheet 1.3 - How do we collect and record information?
Part 2: Matter
2.0 Water matters: How does matter behave?
Student self-test
Worksheet 2.1 - What do we know about matter?
Worksheet 2.2 - What are the properties of matter?
Worksheet 2.3 - Why does water matter?
3.0 The crime scene: How do we work with matter?
Student self-test
Worksheet 3.1 - How does science help solve crimes?
Worksheet 3.2 - How do we analyse evidence?
Worksheet 3.3 - What separation techniques do we use to work with evidence?
Worksheet 3.4 - How does technology assist forensic scientists?
Part 3: Systems
4.0 Life on Earth: How is life on earth organised?
Student self-test
Worksheet 4.1 - What is a living thing?
Worksheet 4.2 - How do scientists classify living things?
Worksheet 4.3 - What kind of living thing am I?
5.0 All about me: What kind of living system am I?
Student self-test
Worksheet 5.1 - What are some of my major systems?
Worksheet 5.2 - How do my systems change over time?
Worksheet 5.3 - How does my body move?
6.0 Essential plants: Where do plants fit into our living system?
Student self-test
Worksheet 6.1 - Could our living system exist without plants?
Worksheet 6.2 - How does the plant world grow and continue?
Worksheet 6.3 - What's my role in supporting the plant system?
Worksheet 6.4 - How do plant and animal systems interrelate?
7.0 Earth in space: Why is earth called the 'living planet'?
Student self-test
Worksheet 7.1 - How does Earth compare with other planets?
Worksheet 7.2 - How does Earth interact with the solar system?
Worksheet 7.3 - How does Earth support life?

Big Ideas Science 1 - Contents
Big Ideas Science 1 - Chapter 4