Working scientifically
Through the content across all three disciplines, pupils should be taught to:
Scientific attitudes
pay attention to objectivity and concern for accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility
understand that scientific methods and theories develop as earlier explanations are modified to take account of new evidence and ideas, together with the importance of publishing results and peer review
evaluate risks
Experimental skills and investigations
ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience
make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
select, plan and carry out the most appropriate types of scientific enquiries to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables
use appropriate techniques, apparatus, and materials during fieldwork and laboratory work, paying attention to health and safety
make and record observations and measurements using a range of methods for different investigations; and evaluate the reliability of methods and suggest possible improvements
apply sampling techniques
Analysis and evaluation
apply mathematical concepts and calculate results
present observations and data using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs
interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations, measurements and data to draw conclusions
present reasoned explanations, including explaining data in relation to predictions and hypotheses
evaluate data, showing awareness of potential sources of random and systematic error
identify further questions arising from their results
Measurement
understand and use SI units and IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) chemical nomenclature
use and derive simple equations and carry out appropriate calculations
undertake basic data analysis including simple statistical techniques
Biology
Pupils should be taught about:
Structure and function of living organisms
Cells and organisation
cells as the fundamental unit of living organisms, including how to observe, interpret and record cell structure using a light microscope
the functions of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole, mitochondria and chloroplasts
the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells
the role of diffusion in the movement of materials in and between cells
the structural adaptations of some unicellular organisms
the hierarchical organisation of multicellular organisms: from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms
The skeletal and muscular systems
the structure and functions of the human skeleton, to include support, protection, movement and making blood cells
biomechanics – the interaction between skeleton and muscles, including the measurement of force exerted by different muscles
the function of muscles and examples of antagonistic muscles
Nutrition and digestion
the content of a healthy human diet: carbohydrates, lipids (fats and oils), proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water, and why each is needed
calculations of energy requirements in a healthy daily diet
the consequences of imbalances in the diet, including obesity, starvation and deficiency diseases
the tissues and organs of the human digestive system, including adaptations to function and how the digestive system digests food (enzymes simply as biological catalysts)
the importance of bacteria in the human digestive system
plants making carbohydrates in their leaves by photosynthesis and gaining mineral nutrients and water from the soil via their roots
Gas exchange systems
the structure and functions of the gas exchange system in humans, including adaptations to function
the mechanism of breathing to move air in and out of the lungs, using a pressure model to explain the movement of gases, including simple measurements of lung volume
the impact of exercise, asthma and smoking on the human gas exchange system
the role of leaf stomata in gas exchange in plants
Reproduction
reproduction in humans (as an example of a mammal), including the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems, menstrual cycle (without details of hormones), gametes, fertilisation, gestation and birth, to include the effect of maternal lifestyle on the foetus through the placenta
reproduction in plants, including flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal, including quantitative investigation of some dispersal mechanisms
Health
the effects of recreational drugs (including substance misuse) on behaviour, health and life processes
Material cycles and energy
Photosynthesis
the reactants in, and products of, photosynthesis, and a word summary for photosynthesis
the dependence of almost all life on Earth on the ability of photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and algae, to use sunlight in photosynthesis to build organic molecules that are an essential energy store and to maintain levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
the adaptations of leaves for photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
aerobic and anaerobic respiration in living organisms, including the breakdown of organic molecules to enable all the other chemical processes necessary for life
a word summary for aerobic respiration
the process of anaerobic respiration in humans and micro-organisms, including fermentation, and a word summary for anaerobic respiration
the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of the reactants, the products formed and the implications for the organism
Interactions and interdependencies
Relationships in an ecosystem
the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops
the importance of plant reproduction through insect pollination in human food security
how organisms affect, and are affected by, their environment, including the accumulation of toxic materials
Genetics and evolution
Inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes
heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next
a simple model of chromosomes, genes and DNA in heredity, including the part played by Watson, Crick, Wilkins and Franklin in the development of the DNA model
differences between species
the variation between individuals within a species being continuous or discontinuous, to include measurement and graphical representation of variation
the variation between species and between individuals of the same species meaning some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection
changes in the environment which may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction
the importance of maintaining biodiversity and the use of gene banks to preserve hereditary material
Chemistry
Pupils should be taught about:
The particulate nature of matter
the properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure
changes of state in terms of the particle model
Atoms, elements and compounds
a simple (Dalton) atomic model
differences between atoms, elements and compounds
chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds
conservation of mass changes of state and chemical reactions
Pure and impure substances
the concept of a pure substance
mixtures, including dissolving
diffusion in terms of the particle model
simple techniques for separating mixtures: filtration, evaporation, distillation and chromatography
the identification of pure substances
Chemical reactions
chemical reactions as the rearrangement of atoms
representing chemical reactions using formulae and using equations
combustion, thermal decomposition, oxidation and displacement reactions
defining acids and alkalis in terms of neutralisation reactions
the pH scale for measuring acidity/alkalinity; and indicators
reactions of acids with metals to produce a salt plus hydrogen
reactions of acids with alkalis to produce a salt plus water
what catalysts do
Energetics
energy changes on changes of state (qualitative)
exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (qualitative)
The periodic table
the varying physical and chemical properties of different elements
the principles underpinning the Mendeleev periodic table
the periodic table: periods and groups; metals and non-metals
how patterns in reactions can be predicted with reference to the periodic table
the properties of metals and non-metals
the chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides with respect to acidity
Materials
the order of metals and carbon in the reactivity series
the use of carbon in obtaining metals from metal oxides
properties of ceramics, polymers and composites (qualitative)
Earth and atmosphere
the composition of the Earth
the structure of the Earth
the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Earth as a source of limited resources and the efficacy of recycling
the composition of the atmosphere
the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate
Physics
Pupils should be taught about:
Energy
Calculation of fuel uses and costs in the domestic context
comparing energy values of different foods (from labels) (kJ)
comparing power ratings of appliances in watts (W, kW)
comparing amounts of energy transferred (J, kJ, kW hour)
domestic fuel bills, fuel use and costs
fuels and energy resources
Energy changes and transfers
simple machines give bigger force but at the expense of smaller movement (and vice versa): product of force and displacement unchanged
heating and thermal equilibrium: temperature difference between 2 objects leading to energy transfer from the hotter to the cooler one, through contact (conduction) or radiation; such transfers tending to reduce the temperature difference; use of insulators
other processes that involve energy transfer: changing motion, dropping an object, completing an electrical circuit, stretching a spring, metabolism of food, burning fuels
Changes in systems
energy as a quantity that can be quantified and calculated; the total energy has the same value before and after a change
comparing the starting with the final conditions of a system and describing increases and decreases in the amounts of energy associated with movements, temperatures, changes in positions in a field, in elastic distortions and in chemical compositions
using physical processes and mechanisms, rather than energy, to explain the intermediate steps that bring about such changes
Motion and forces
Describing motion
speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed = distance ÷ time)
the representation of a journey on a distance-time graph
relative motion: trains and cars passing one another
Forces
forces as pushes or pulls, arising from the interaction between 2 objects
using force arrows in diagrams, adding forces in 1 dimension, balanced and unbalanced forces
moment as the turning effect of a force
forces: associated with deforming objects; stretching and squashing – springs; with rubbing and friction between surfaces, with pushing things out of the way; resistance to motion of air and water
forces measured in newtons, measurements of stretch or compression as force is changed
force-extension linear relation; Hooke’s Law as a special case
work done and energy changes on deformation
non-contact forces: gravity forces acting at a distance on Earth and in space, forces between magnets, and forces due to static electricity
Pressure in fluids
atmospheric pressure, decreases with increase of height as weight of air above decreases with height
pressure in liquids, increasing with depth; upthrust effects, floating and sinking
pressure measured by ratio of force over area – acting normal to any surface
Balanced forces
opposing forces and equilibrium: weight held by stretched spring or supported on a compressed surface
Forces and motion
forces being needed to cause objects to stop or start moving, or to change their speed or direction of motion (qualitative only)
change depending on direction of force and its size
Waves
Observed waves
waves on water as undulations which travel through water with transverse motion; these waves can be reflected, and add or cancel – superposition
Sound waves
frequencies of sound waves, measured in hertz (Hz); echoes, reflection and absorption of sound
sound needs a medium to travel, the speed of sound in air, in water, in solids
sound produced by vibrations of objects, in loudspeakers, detected by their effects on microphone diaphragm and the ear drum; sound waves are longitudinal
the auditory range of humans and animals
Energy and waves
pressure waves transferring energy; use for cleaning and physiotherapy by ultrasound; waves transferring information for conversion to electrical signals by microphone
Light waves
the similarities and differences between light waves and waves in matter
light waves travelling through a vacuum; speed of light
the transmission of light through materials: absorption, diffuse scattering and specular reflection at a surface
use of ray model to explain imaging in mirrors, the pinhole camera, the refraction of light and action of convex lens in focusing (qualitative); the human eye
light transferring energy from source to absorber, leading to chemical and electrical effects; photosensitive material in the retina and in cameras
colours and the different frequencies of light, white light and prisms (qualitative only); differential colour effects in absorption and diffuse reflection
Electricity and electromagnetism
Current electricity
electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, currents add where branches meet and current as flow of charge
potential difference, measured in volts, battery and bulb ratings; resistance, measured in ohms, as the ratio of potential difference (p.d.) to current
differences in resistance between conducting and insulating components (quantitative)
Static electricity
separation of positive or negative charges when objects are rubbed together: transfer of electrons, forces between charged objects
the idea of electric field, forces acting across the space between objects not in contact
Magnetism
magnetic poles, attraction and repulsion
magnetic fields by plotting with compass, representation by field lines
Earth’s magnetism, compass and navigation
the magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, DC motors (principles only)
Matter
Physical changes
conservation of material and of mass, and reversibility, in melting, freezing, evaporation, sublimation, condensation, dissolving
similarities and differences, including density differences, between solids, liquids and gases
Brownian motion in gases
diffusion in liquids and gases driven by differences in concentration
the difference between chemical and physical changes
Particle model
the differences in arrangements, in motion and in closeness of particles explaining changes of state, shape and density; the anomaly of ice-water transition
atoms and molecules as particles
Energy in matter
changes with temperature in motion and spacing of particles
internal energy stored in materials
Space physics
gravity force, weight = mass x gravitational field strength (g), on Earth g=10 N/kg, different on other planets and stars; gravity forces between Earth and Moon, and between Earth and sun (qualitative only)
our sun as a star, other stars in our galaxy, other galaxies
the seasons and the Earth’s tilt, day length at different times of year, in different hemispheres
the light year as a unit of astronomical distance
