Year 10 Science – Term 3 (WA Curriculum): Stellar Evolution and Space Technology

What this unit covers

In Term 3, Year 10 Science in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Stellar Evolution and Space Technology”.

Students explore the formation and life cycles of stars, galaxies and planetary systems since the Big Bang, while investigating how space technologies and exploration improve life on Earth.

Lesson sequence (30 lessons)

The unit breaks down into the following lesson-by-lesson sequence — each title below is a teachable lesson, in order:

1. Investigating the Big Bang Theory and Early Universe Formation
2. Exploring How the First Stars Formed from Primordial Gas Clouds
3. Analyzing the Nuclear Fusion Process in Main Sequence Stars
4. Comparing the Life Cycles of Low Mass and High Mass Stars
5. Examining White Dwarf Formation and Planetary Nebulae
6. Investigating Supernova Explosions and Neutron Star Formation
7. Exploring Black Hole Formation from Massive Star Collapse
8. Analyzing How Heavy Elements are Created in Stellar Cores
9. Investigating Galaxy Formation and Evolution Since the Big Bang
10. Exploring the Structure and Formation of the Milky Way Galaxy
11. Examining the Nebular Hypothesis for Solar System Formation
12. Analyzing How Planets Formed from the Solar Nebula
13. Investigating Protoplanetary Disk Formation Around Young Stars
14. Exploring How Rocky and Gas Giant Planets Developed Differently
15. Examining Evidence for Exoplanet Formation Around Other Stars
16. Investigating Space Telescope Technology and Stellar Observations
17. Analyzing Data from the Hubble Space Telescope on Star Formation
18. Exploring How Radio Telescopes Detect Signals from Space
19. Examining Mars Rover Technology and Geological Discoveries
20. Analyzing Atmospheric Data from Planetary Probe Missions
21. Investigating How Space Probes Study Moon and Planet Surfaces
22. Exploring Jupiter and Saturn Moon Exploration Missions
23. Examining Search for Extraterrestrial Life Using Space Technology
24. Analyzing Biosignature Detection in Exoplanet Atmospheres
25. Investigating Satellite Remote Sensing of Earth's Climate
26. Exploring GPS Technology and Communication Satellites
27. Examining Weather Forecasting Using Satellite Technology
28. Analyzing Space-Based Earth Monitoring for Environmental Protection
29. Investigating International Space Station Scientific Research
30. Evaluating Future Space Missions and Technological Developments

Curriculum codes in this unit

Content codes:

Reading the codes: WA codes (the ones starting with WA) pack the year level, learning area, strand and content number into one string, while the national Australian Curriculum v9 uses a different anatomy that starts with AC9 — same content family, different labels. Our complete WA Curriculum guide decodes both, character by character.

Planning notes for Term 3

WA terms run roughly 9–11 weeks, and in 2026 Term 3 runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September — 10 weeks for WA public schools. With 30 lessons in this unit, that leaves breathing room for assessment, moderation and the weeks that disappear to carnivals, camps and public holidays — plan the assessable work to land two to three weeks before the end of term rather than in the final week.