Science Scientific Inquiryusually ages 5–7

Observing with simple equipment

Observe closely using simple equipment such as hand lenses, and use observations to describe, compare, and identify things

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Use a hand lens or other simple equipment to make detailed observations
Describe observations using specific vocabulary (colour, shape, size, texture, pattern)
Compare two objects based on careful observation, noting similarities and differences

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Try this together

Can your child use a magnifying glass to look carefully at something like a leaf or an insect and describe in detail what they see?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Asking scientific questionsages 5–8Must ask questions before learning to observe closely

Observing with simple equipmentthis skill · ages 5–7

Unlocks

Simple tests and experimentsages 5–7Must observe closely before performing simple tests

Measuring accuratelyages 7–9Must observe closely before taking systematic measurements

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 1 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9SFI02medium confidenceFoundation · Science as a human endeavour

engage in investigations safely and make observations using their senses

AC9S3I03medium confidenceYear 3 · Science inquiry

follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate

AC9S2I03medium confidenceYear 2 · Science inquiry

make and record observations, including informal measurements, using digital tools as appropriate

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

ST1-SCI-01low confidenceScience and Technology K-6 · Stage 1

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2S2I03medium confidenceScience · Foundation to Level 2 · Science Inquiry strand

VC2S4I03medium confidenceScience · Levels 3 and 4 · Science Inquiry strand

VC2S2I06low confidenceScience · Foundation to Level 2 · Science Inquiry strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Asking scientific questionsages 5–8 Comparing Design Solutionsages 5–8 Modelling with Sketchesages 5–8 Recording Dataages 5–7

All Scientific Inquiry skills →