Glossary: Terms Starting with T
70 definitions in Science with links to the lessons that teach each word.
Showing Science only. Show all subjects
table
ScienceFrom Grade 2
rows and columns for organised information
Learn it in: Recording observations (Grade 2), Comparing life cycles (Grade 2), Weather records (Grade 2)
tadpole
ScienceFrom Grade 2
the young swimming stage of a frog
Learn it in: Frog life cycle (Grade 2), Amphibians (Grade 3)
tail
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the part at the back of the body of many animals
Learn it in: Animal body parts (Grade 1)
tally
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a mark used to count, in groups of five
Learn it in: Recording observations (Grade 2), Data collection (Grade 5)
team
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a group working together
Learn it in: Keeping our school clean (Grade 1), Teamwork (Grade 3)
technology
ScienceFrom Grade 2
tools and machines that solve problems
Learn it in: Tools and technology (Grade 2)
temperature
ScienceFrom Grade 2
how hot or cold something is
Learn it in: Melting (Grade 2), Temperature (Grade 2), Heating and cooling (Grade 3)
tendon
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a cord joining muscle to bone
Learn it in: Muscles (Grade 4), Muscular system (Grade 5), Skeletal and muscular systems (Grade 6)
tension
ScienceFrom Grade 4
how tight a string is
Learn it in: Pitch (Grade 4), Contact forces (Grade 5), Forces acting on structures (Grade 5)
terminal
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a connection point on a cell or lamp
Learn it in: Simple circuit components (Grade 4)
terminal velocity
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the steady top speed of a falling object
Learn it in: Air resistance (Grade 6)
terrace
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a flat step cut into a slope
Learn it in: Soil conservation (Grade 3), Earth conservation (Grade 4)
test
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a way to find out
Learn it in: Choosing materials for different purposes (Grade 1), Solving community problems (Grade 2), Testing designs (Grade 3)
test circuit
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a circuit with a gap for testing materials
Learn it in: Conductors and insulators (Grade 4)
testable
ScienceFrom Grade 3
can be answered by an investigation
Learn it in: Scientific questions (Grade 3), Scientific questions (Grade 4), Scientific investigation questions (Grade 5)
texture
ScienceFrom Grade 1
how a surface feels
Learn it in: Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1), Comparing objects (Grade 2), Properties of solids (Grade 2)
thermometer
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a tool that measures temperature
Learn it in: Temperature (Grade 2), Weather instruments (Grade 2), Heating and cooling (Grade 3)
thirsty
ScienceFrom Grade 1
needing a drink
Learn it in: Animal needs (Grade 1), Drinking clean water (Grade 1)
thrust
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the force that pushes a rocket forward
Learn it in: Space exploration (Grade 6)
tide
ScienceFrom Grade 4
the rise and fall of the sea
Learn it in: Earth–Sun–Moon relationships (Grade 4), The Moon (Grade 5), The Moon (Grade 6)
tilt
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a lean to one side
Learn it in: Seasonal patterns (Grade 3), Earth’s revolution (Grade 5)
time zone
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a region sharing the same clock time
Learn it in: Earth’s rotation (Grade 5), Earth’s rotation (Grade 6)
tissue
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a group of similar cells working together
Learn it in: Human body organisation (Grade 5), Tissues and organs introduction (Grade 6), Life science review (Grade 6)
title
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the name of a drawing or a piece of writing
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1), Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2)
tool
ScienceFrom Grade 2
something used to do a job
Learn it in: Simple machines in everyday life (Grade 2), Tools and technology (Grade 2)
toothbrush
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a small brush for cleaning teeth
Learn it in: Personal hygiene (Grade 1)
topsoil
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the dark upper layer of soil
Learn it in: Soil (Grade 3), Soil formation (Grade 4)
toughness
ScienceFrom Grade 5
resistance to cracking or breaking
Learn it in: Structural materials (Grade 5)
trade-off
ScienceFrom Grade 4
giving up one thing to gain another
Learn it in: Mechanical advantage introduction (Grade 4), Engineering improvements (Grade 5), Engineering project (Grade 5)
transformation
ScienceFrom Grade 5
changing from one form to another
Learn it in: Energy transformation (Grade 5), Energy transformation (Grade 6)
translucent
ScienceFrom Grade 2
lets some light through, but we cannot see clearly
Learn it in: Transparent and opaque materials (Grade 2), Translucent materials (Grade 4), Light (Grade 6)
transparent
ScienceFrom Grade 1
able to be seen through
Learn it in: Glass (Grade 1), Transparent and opaque materials (Grade 2), Material properties (Grade 3)
transpiration
ScienceFrom Grade 5
loss of water vapour from leaves
Learn it in: Water and minerals (Grade 5)
transport
ScienceFrom Grade 2
moving people or goods
Learn it in: Uses of water (Grade 2), Science in transportation (Grade 2), Stem functions (Grade 3)
tree
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a tall plant with a thick, woody trunk
Learn it in: What are plants? (Grade 1)
trend
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the pattern in the data
Learn it in: Data analysis (Grade 6), Data interpretation (Grade 6)
triangle
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a three-sided shape that resists bending
Learn it in: Strength and stability (Grade 4)
trophic level
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a feeding step in a food chain
Learn it in: Food webs (Grade 4), Food chains (Grade 5), Energy flow (Grade 5)
tropical
ScienceFrom Grade 6
hot and wet climate near the equator
Learn it in: Climate patterns (Grade 6)
troposphere
ScienceFrom Grade 5
the lowest layer where weather happens
Learn it in: Atmosphere (Grade 5)
true leaves
ScienceFrom Grade 2
the first leaves that look like the adult plant
Learn it in: Seedling growth (Grade 2)
trusted adult
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a grown-up you know who helps keep you safe
Learn it in: Basic personal safety (Grade 1)
tuning fork
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a metal fork that vibrates at one pitch
Learn it in: Vibrations (Grade 4)
turn
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to change direction
Learn it in: Changing direction (Grade 1), Changing direction (Grade 2)