Science and Society

 

4.1 Students outline some contributions to the development of scientific ideas made by people from different cultural and historical backgrounds.

4.2 Students use the elements of a fair test when considering the design of their investigations.

Value of traditional science:

·          medicines

·          oral traditions, including Dreamtime stories

·          use of astronomy — Incas, Chinese

Chinese science:

·          medicine

·          gunpowder

·          paper

·          ceramics

Western scientific tradition:

·          ancient Greeks

·          alchemists

·          influential scientists, including women

·          organisation into disciplines

Elements of a fair test:

·          develop a researchable question

·          dependent and independent variables

·          control of variables — only one changes

·          measurement of change

·          presentation of results to suit different purposes

4.3 Students present analyses of the short- and long-term effects of some of the ways in which science is used.

 

Short-term effects:

·          improved products for the consumer; cost of products for the consumer

·          improved lifestyle and medical care

·          greater security

·          pollution and habitat loss

·          production of non-biodegradable items

·          increased toxicity in plants and animals

·          greater understanding of processes occurring on Earth and in the universe

·          alternative ways of using and conserving non-renewable resources

Long-term effects:

·          greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, reduced biodiversity, depletion of non-renewable resources

·          many long-term effects unknown