Learning Intentions
Understand features of a good conversation.
Success Criteria
-
Watch "How to have a good conversation" by Celeste Headlee.
-
Complete the Consolidation Task provided.
What is communication?
Definition: Communication is when a message is sent by one person and received by another.
What is a good conversation?
A great conversation requires a balance between talking and listening. This balance is important because bad communication leads to bad relationships, at home, at work, everywhere.
How to Have a Good Conversation - Celeste Headlee
Science with Dobrich
Years 7 to 10 Chemistry
Based on the Victorian Curriculum in Australian - Version 2.0 (update 2026)
Particles
The particle and kinetic theories of matter can be used to describe the arrangement and motion of particles in a substance, including the attraction between particles, and to explain the properties and behaviour of substances, including melting point, boiling point, density, compressibility, gas pressure, viscosity, diffusion, sublimation, and expansion and contraction
Matter, Mixtures & Separation Techniques
matter can be classified as pure substances such as elements and compounds or impure substances such as mixtures (including solutions), and can be modelled using the particle model;
mixtures may have a uniform (homogeneous) or non-uniform (heterogeneous) composition and can be separated based on the properties of their components using techniques including filtration, decantation, evaporation, crystallisation, magnetic separation, distillation and chromatography.
Atoms, Elements & Compounds
The atomic theory of matter can be used to model and explain the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures; elements, compounds and mixtures can be represented as two-dimensional and three-dimensional models, elements can be represented by symbols, and molecules and compounds can be represented by chemical formulas
Physical & Chemical Changes
Physical changes can be distinguished from chemical changes; a chemical change can be identified by a colour change, a temperature change, the production of a gas (including laboratory preparation and testing of oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases) or the formation of a precipitate.
Atoms and Radioactivity
The model of the atom changed following the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons; natural radioactive decay results in a change from unstable to stable atoms.
Conservation of Mass & Balancing Equations
Chemical reactions are described by the Law of Conservation of Mass and involve the rearrangement of atoms; they can be modelled using a range of representations, including word and simple balanced chemical equations.
Chemical reactions
Chemical reactions include synthesis, decomposition and displacement reactions and can be classified as exothermic or endothermic; reaction rates are affected by factors including temperature, concentration, surface area of solid reactants, and catalysts.
How can we use natural substances as a more environmentally friendly option in chemistry? Learning how natural indicators like red cabbage and turmeric work shows that we can make simple, eco-friendly tools for science using everyday plants. This inquiry aims to investigate which natural indicator, (i.e. red cabbage, turmeric, spinach, blackberries or beetroot) more effectively indicates pH changes across a range of household solutions?
How can we better control chemical reactions to make processes safer, faster, or more efficient?
Understanding how different factors like temperature, concentration, surface area, and catalysts affect reaction rates helps scientists design reactions that are safer and more sustainable in everyday life, from cooking to medicine to industry. This inquiry aims to investigate how one chosen factor (e.g. temperature, concentration, surface area, or catalysts) affects the rate of a specific chemical reaction, such as the reaction between baking soda and vinegar or magnesium and hydrochloric acid.
Why does applying chemistry matter in the real world?
When chemistry is ignored or misunderstood, the results can be harmful. Events like the Hindenburg explosion or Minamata mercury poisoning show the importance of using science responsibly. In this task, students will research a historical event where a lack of chemical understanding had serious consequences. They will explain what went wrong, how it affected people or the environment, and how better use of chemistry could have helped.