What Are the Strands of Science in the Australian Curriculum?
Understanding the Aus Curriculum Science framework is essential for educators, students, and parents alike. The Australian Curriculum provides a comprehensive structure designed to develop scientific literacy and foster curiosity about the natural world. In this blog post, we will explore the key strands of science in the Australian curriculum, explaining their significance and how they contribute to a well-rounded science education.
Introduction to the Aus Curriculum Science Framework
The Australian Curriculum Science (or Aus Curriculum Science) is structured to guide teaching and learning from Foundation (kindergarten) through to Year 10. It aims to develop students’ scientific knowledge, understanding, and skills progressively. The curriculum is organised into three main strands: Science Understanding, Science as a Human Endeavour, and Science Inquiry Skills. Each strand focuses on different but interconnected aspects of science education.
Science Understanding
The Science Understanding strand is central to the Aus Curriculum Science. It outlines the core scientific concepts that students need to learn across three main disciplines: Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Earth and Space Sciences.
Key Areas in Science Understanding
- Biological Sciences: This area explores living things, their structures, functions, life cycles, and how they interact with their environments.
- Chemical Sciences: Students investigate the properties and behaviours of matter and how substances interact in chemical processes.
- Physical Sciences: This focuses on forces, motion, energy, and waves, helping students understand how the physical world operates.
- Earth and Space Sciences: This strand deepens knowledge about the Earth’s systems, the universe, and environmental phenomena.
By covering these areas, the curriculum ensures students acquire a broad and balanced scientific knowledge base.
Science as a Human Endeavour
The second strand, Science as a Human Endeavour, emphasises the role of science in society and the development of scientific knowledge over time. It helps students appreciate that science is a dynamic and collaborative process influenced by social, cultural, and ethical factors.
Themes within Science as a Human Endeavour
- The nature and development of science as a human activity
- The use and influence of science in everyday life
- The ethical and sustainable use of scientific knowledge
- The ways scientific knowledge changes over time
This strand encourages critical thinking about how science impacts individuals and communities, and promotes responsible citizenship in an increasingly scientific and technological world.
Science Inquiry Skills
Practical skills and investigative methods are fundamental to science education. The Science Inquiry Skills strand in the Aus Curriculum Science develops students’ abilities to ask questions, plan and conduct investigations, collect and analyse data, and communicate scientific ideas effectively.

Components of Science Inquiry Skills
- Formulating questions and hypotheses
- Designing and conducting investigations
- Using technology and tools for inquiry
- Analysing and interpreting data
- Evaluating conclusions and communicating findings
Mastering these skills supports students in becoming confident and independent learners who can apply scientific methods in various context
Integration of the Strands in the Aus Curriculum Science
In practice, the three strands are not taught in isolation but integrated across units and topics. For example, a topic on the water cycle would include Science Understanding (how water moves through the environment), Science Inquiry Skills (investigating evaporation and condensation), and Science as a Human Endeavour (discussing water conservation and its societal impacts).
This integrated approach helps students make connections between scientific concepts, processes, and real-world applications.
Why Knowing the Aus Curriculum Science Strands Matters
For teachers, knowing the strands helps design lessons that are balanced and comprehensive, ensuring all vital aspects of science are covered. For students, understanding these strands builds a solid foundation for higher-level science studies. For parents, awareness of the curriculum framework supports engagement with their child’s learning journey.
Additionally, the Aus Curriculum Science strands align with global science education standards, helping Australian students build skills for the future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Final Thoughts
The Aus Curriculum Science framework, through its three interconnected strands—Science Understanding, Science as a Human Endeavour, and Science Inquiry Skills—provides a robust foundation for science education across Australia. By combining knowledge acquisition, appreciation of science in human contexts, and practical inquiry skills, the curriculum equips students with the competencies necessary to navigate an increasingly complex scientific world.
Understanding these strands is essential for anyone involved in Australian education, as they represent the pillars of scientific literacy advocate by the national curriculum. Whether you are an educator planning lessons, a student eager to learn, or a parent supporting your child, embracing the Aus Curriculum Science strands will help foster a deep and meaningful engagement with science.
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