Grade 9 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 9 science in the Ontario Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- A1 STEM Investigation Skills: Apply scientific processes and an engineering design process in their investigations to develop a conceptual understanding of the science they are learning, and apply coding skills to model scientific concepts and relationships
- A2 Applications, Careers, and Connections: Analyse how scientific concepts and processes can be applied in practical ways to address real-world issues and in various careers, and describe contributions to science from people with diverse lived experiences
- B1 Relating Science to Our Changing World: Assess impacts of climate change on ecosystem sustainability and on various communities, and describe ways to mitigate these impacts
- B2 Investigating and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamic and interconnected nature of ecosystems, including how matter cycles and energy flows through ecosystems
- C1 Relating Science to Our Changing World: Assess social, environmental, and economic impacts of the use of elements, compounds, and associated technologies
- C2 Investigating and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of matter, including the structure of the atom, physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds, and the organization of elements in the periodic table
- D1 Relating Science to Our Changing World: Assess social, environmental, and economic impacts of electrical energy production and consumption, and describe ways to achieve sustainable practices
- D2 Investigating and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of electric charges, including properties of static and current electricity
- E1 Relating Science to Our Changing World: Evaluate social, environmental, and economic impacts of space exploration and of technological innovations derived from space exploration
- E2 Investigating and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the components, characteristics, and associated phenomena of the solar system and the universe, and the importance of the Sun to processes on Earth
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?”
- Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives.
- Look up how a household machine works, such as a bike gear, a lamp or a fridge.
- Have your child draw and label a diagram of something they just learned.
What each unit covers
Think Like a Scientist
Variables and fair tests, graphs and averages, the engineering design process, simple code that models a change, WHMIS and lab safety, how to check AI-generated answers, and skilled-trade and STEM careers.
Ecosystems in Balance
How the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere interact, food webs and the 10% energy rule, the carbon, nitrogen, water and phosphorus cycles, succession and biodiversity, how people change ecosystems, and farming practices that protect soil and water.
Photosynthesis & Respiration
The reactants, products and location of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, why they are complementary, and how they link plants, animals and the carbon cycle.
Climate Change
The greenhouse effect, how fossil fuels and other human activities add greenhouse gases, indicators of climate change, effects on Canadian ecosystems and communities, and the difference between mitigation and adaptation. Effects on First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities are not covered yet and need community review.
Inside the Atom
Protons, neutrons and electrons, how Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford and Bohr's models changed with evidence, atomic and mass numbers, and drawing the electron shells of the first 20 elements.
The Periodic Table
Groups and periods, metals, non-metals and metalloids, alkali metals, halogens and noble gases, and how valence electrons and shells explain the patterns.
Elements & Compounds
Elements, compounds and mixtures, reading chemical formulas, physical and chemical properties and changes, density, and common household chemicals, including why some should never be mixed.
Static Electricity
Positive and negative charges and the particles behind them, charging by friction, contact and induction, conductors and insulators, and electrical safety in a thunderstorm.
Circuits & Ohm's Law
Circuit components and their jobs, current, potential difference and resistance with their symbols and SI units, calculating with V = I × R, and how current, voltage and resistance behave in series and parallel circuits.
Electrical Energy
The difference between electricity and electrical energy, energy in joules and kilowatt-hours, cost of electricity, efficiency of devices, and the benefits and challenges of sources such as hydro, wind, solar, nuclear and gas.
Sun, Solar System & Universe
The Sun's role on Earth, the planets and other bodies, distances in AU and light-years, seasons, eclipses, tides and the aurora, evidence for the Big Bang, and the benefits and costs of space exploration. Indigenous ways of knowing about the sky are not covered yet and need community review.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Level 1
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Level 2
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Level 3
- Has it! Level 3 is the provincial standard. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Level 4
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Ontario report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 9 child with science?
Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?” Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 9 science in Ontario?
The Ontario Curriculum Grade 9 science units include think like a scientist, ecosystems in balance, photosynthesis & respiration, climate change, inside the atom, the periodic table.
Free printable Grade 9 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.