Science Continuum P-10
About the Science Continuum
Effective science teaching relies on understanding students’ pre-existing ideas about science concepts and supporting students to develop more scientific understandings.
The Science Continuum P-10 identifies focus ideas at each level of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) for Science. Linking expert practice and research, it explains:
- students’ ideas, based on their everyday experiences
- the age-appropriate scientific view
- critical teaching ideas and teaching activities.
Connections between concepts and pathways of student concept development are mapped in the printable Science Concept Development Maps. Each critical teaching idea is also linked to further resources, such as Digilearn, Sample Science and Primary Connections.
The User Guide provides further information about effective use of the resource and explains the resource rationale.
VELS Standards and Focus Ideas
The focus ideas are organised according to VELS levels. With your student/s in mind, select the appropriate entry point.
My student/s are:
- working with a Level 1 or 2 focus
- progressing towards the Level 3 Standard
- progressing towards the Level 4 Standard
- progressing towards the Level 5 Standard
- progressing towards the Level 6 Standard
Science Concept Development Maps
The maps represent student concept development from Prep to Year 10. The maps are PDF files which include hyperlinks to related critical teaching ideas.
Additional support
- Glossary – Explains specific terms within the Science Continuum P-10
- Research – A reference list of the research underlying the Science Continuum P-10
- Science Continuum Orientation (PPT - 3.1Mb) – A PowerPoint presentation for science leaders, to assist in informing teachers about the Continuum. Please note that in order to view the speaker notes, it is necessary to save this file to your computer before opening it.