Education Resources

Using elemental data to combat illegal wildlife trade

This resource guides students through how to interpret and analyse authentic research data, generated during a collaborative project between UNSW, UTS, ANSTO and Taronga Zoo Sydney. The project examines the use of high-resolution x-ray fluorescence as a tool to combat the international illegal wildlife trade (IWT) of short beaked echidnas, which are being removed from the wild and claimed as captive-bred. These activities are suitable for Senior Biology students as well as students in Years 9 and 10.

Students will:

- examine the adaptations of short beaked echidnas that increase their ability to survive in their environment
- explore the use of technology in contributing to the study and conservation of biodiversity
- construct simple graphs of the provided data using MS Excel, and interpret and analyse these graphs
- investigate how scientific knowledge interacts with social, economic, cultural and ethical issues.

Exploring what scientists do

This resource gives students an opportunity to engage in scientific inquiry through the application of working scientifically skills/inquiry skills. The document provides a systematic, step by step scaffold of a scientific investigation using secondary data of atmospheric measurements made on the grounds of Liverpool Girls' High School from March 2019 to February 2020. This resource is suitable for Years 7-10.

Students will:
- propose an hypothesis after researching relevant background information 
- process and analyse data and information
- create a graph and interpret results
- communicate the process and findings of their investigation in the form of a scientific report
- increase their understanding of the atmosphere and the factors that influence it

Groundwater science

Water is a resource that needs careful management to ensure it is used sustainably. In this data set, students analyse real research data about the sustainability of groundwater on Rottnest Island. These activities are suitable for students in Years 7 to 10.

Students will:
- understand the concepts of groundwater and aquifers and the role of the water cycle
- use MS Excel to construct simple graphs (or draw graphs by hand)
- interpret and analyse graphs and other representations of data
- investigate the effects of a changing climate on groundwater resources
- distinguish between correlation and causation

Investigating isotopes

Learn about isotopes using real examples and real data, including comprehensive isotopic data of the first twenty chemical elements in the periodic table (hydrogen to calcium). Teachers can use the accompanying worksheet, in sections or in its entirety, to develop student skills in literacy, numeracy, critical and creative thinking and ICT. These activities are suitable for students in Years 9 to 12.

Students will:
- learn how the number of neutrons and protons in an isotope affects its nuclear properties
- construct a section of the Table of isotopes, using MS Excel
- investigate the properties and uses of different isotopes

Aligning Taipan, one of ANSTO's neutron scattering instruments

Scientists ensure their measurements are accurate and precise by regularly calibrating their instruments. In this data set, students manipulate and graph calibration data from Taipan, one of ANSTO's neutron scattering instruments. Students must determine whether Taipan is functioning within the acceptable limits of error for the scientists' experiments.

Radiocarbon dating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories

In this resource, students learn about our growing understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures using radiocarbon dating. Students will:

- learn about radiocarbon dating and its applications to cultural heritage materials.
- analyse and interpret different texts and videos to better understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
- build literacy and numeracy capabilities using cloze passages, writing a glossary, interpreting graphs, answering comprehension questions, and making a timeline and a map to summarise the research stories. 

The activities address these Australian Curriculum Science Understanding and Inquiry Skills: 
Students learn:
- all matter is made of atoms that are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons; natural radioactivity arises from the decay of nuclei in atoms (ACSSU177)
- investigating how radiocarbon and other dating methods have been used to establish that Aboriginal Peoples have been present on the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years (OI.6)
- to communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations (ACSIS174)

Australian Synchrotron: Discoveries with Light Workbook

This guide covers concepts such as interaction of light and energy, nuclear physics, and radioactivity through the workings and applications of the Australian Synchrotron

Pre-2018 Year 12 Physics workbook

This workbook was designed for the old pre-2018 Year 12 Physics NSW syllabus, 9.6 Medical Physics and 9.8 Quanta to Quarks

Pre-2018 Year 12 Chemistry workbook

This workbook was designed for the old pre-2018 Year 12 Chemistry NSW syllabus, 9.2 Production of Materials

Scientific Models of Nuclear Fission

This workbook examines different scientific models of nuclear fission.

Students solve problems by: 
- using modelling (including mathematical examples) to explain phenomena, 
make predictions and solve problems using evidence from primary and 
secondary sources
- using scientific evidence and critical thinking skills to solve problems

Students will: 
- model a nuclear chain reaction
- apply this model to explain how a nuclear chain reaction occurs
- explain the advantages and limitations of the model
- visualise what is meant by nuclear fission
- use critical thinking skills to improve the model