Murder under the Microscope

Science and Technology

NSW Stage 3 Science and Technology

Murder under the Microscope (MuM) supports learning outcomes from the Stage 3 Science and Technology syllabus.

MuM specifically supports the content strands of:

and the Stage 3 Science and Technology sample integrated Units of Work

Environment Matters

Content focus
  • Built Environments
  • Information and Communications
  • Living Things
  • Earth and Its Surroundings
Knowledge and understandings
  • The activities of people can change the balance of nature.
  • There are environmental consequences of production and consumption
  • There are many physical phenomena which change the environment
  • Environments on Earth have been affected by technology.
Task
  • Investigate the effect of human activity on environments.
  • Investigate the ways people … are addressing the problems of environmental damage.

A Change for the Better

Content focus
  • Living Things
  • Earth and Its Surroundings
Knowledge and understandings
  • The activities of people can change the balance of nature.
  • Groups of living things have changed over long periods of time.
Skills

Students will:

  • modify and apply their understanding in the light of their investigation.
Task

Investigate how species of plants and animals are suited to their environment.

Visual Ventures

Content focus
  • Built Environments
  • Information and Communications
  • Living Things
  • Earth and Its Surroundings
Knowledge and understandings
  • Information can be represented in a number of different forms, including graphics, sounds and texts.
  • Technologies continually offer new ways of creating and sending messages.
Skills

Students will:

  • develop a design proposal by selecting and refining ideas and justifying choices.
Task

Design and make a (video) production to inform an audience.

The syllabus can be accessed at:

http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au

Learning processes

The process of investigating

Students participating in MuM gain insights into the natural and made environments through the process of investigation. They learn that investigations may be conclusive or inconclusive. As part of MuM, students develop a plan that helps them understand the relationship between the process of investigation and the process of designing and making. The learning activities assist students to improve their understanding of the technologies people select and use, and how such technologies affect the environment and the future.

Knowledge and understanding

MuM helps students to develop knowledge about the ways people try to control the conditions in the environments they build. They learn how people’s activities impact on the balance of the natural world and how physical phenomena may change the environment. Students also discover how information technologies offer new ways of creating and sending messages.

Skills

Students have opportunities to discuss the factors that may affect their investigation and identify the data which support or refute a particular prediction. They learn how to modify and apply their understanding in the light of new information gained from their investigation. They practise skills in selection of appropriate software for a given task.

Values and attitudes

MuM learning activities promote awareness about improving the quality of society and the environment. The activities support students to become curious about and more appreciative of the natural and made environments. Students are given opportunities to improve their rational and creative thinking and will gain satisfaction from their efforts to use technology in designing and making their plans.

Literacy

The MuM project provides opportunities for students to explore descriptions and information reports. The learning activities may include mapping, mind maps, role-plays and diagrams.

Numeracy

In MuM, students practise numeracy skills by recording and organising data in tables or diagrams using appropriate units. They have opportunities to extract information from graphs and diagrams and express mathematical relationships by using symbols and the appropriate units for physical quantities.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Students participating in the MuM project conduct their research using the library and a range of digital media including the internet. Students use a range of applications to design and publish the plan. They need to extract, reorganise, format and report information in a variety of electronic forms, using appropriate technologies.