SCIENCE - KS3

YEAR 7

TERM

UNIT OF STUDY

KEY LEARNING

Autumn

Working scientifically
Forces
Particles
Cells

Students will look at the key skills that they will build upon over the course of their science course of study.

To understand how different forces act & how we can measure them.

To understand the properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure and describe changes of state in terms of the particle model.

To develop students understanding of the cells that make up living organisms. Students will learn the names on functions of the different organelles in animal and plant cells, how cells can specialise for a specific purpose. Students will study how chemicals move in to and out of cells and how some organisms are unicellular.

Spring

Energy
Elements, atoms & compounds
Reactions

Students will compare energy values in food, power rating of appliances and energy transfers in different objects. They will also learn about the difference between renewable & non-renewable energy resources and be able to evaluate them.

Students will understand the differences between atoms, elements and compounds and chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds.

Students will understand the different types of chemical reactions.

Summer 

Structure & function of body systems
Acids & alkali's
Reproduction

Students will learn examples of tissues, organs and organ systems, hierarchy or organisation in a multicellular organisms, structure of gas exchange system and how the parts of the gas exchange system to are adapted to their function. Finally the structure and function of the skeletal system.

Students will be able to define acids and alkali’s and their properties and how neutralisation occurs. To understand the pH scale and how we use indicators.

Students will study reproduction in humans including the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems, menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Reproduction in plants, including flower structure, including quantitative investigation of some dispersal mechanisms.

YEAR 8

Autumn

Space
Adaptation & variation
The Periodic table
Health & lifestyle

Students will understand the structure of our solar system, the difference between planets and stars and why the earth has seasons.

Students will learn what organisms compete for & how they adapt to their environment to survive. They will look at how scientists worked collaboratively to establish the structure of DNA & how important gene banks & preservation is for the future. They will also learn about the theory of evolution & natural selection. 

Student will understand the varying chemical & physical properties of different elements. They will understand how to us the periodic table & predict patterns of reactivity.

Students will understand the key components of a healthy diet & the role of each food group in the body. They will test for different food groups and understand the structure & function of the digestive system. They will undertand the impact of illegal & recreational drugs on the body.

Spring

Separating Techniques
Waves
The reactions of metals & acids

Students will learn the difference in particle arrangement of pure substances and mixtures. From this they will devise ways to separate mixtures dependent on their properties.

Student will understand the properties of light waves and how they are transmited through different materials. The structure of the human eye and how coloured objects are formed. Students will learn the properties of waves, how waves travel, speed of sound, link between pitch and frequency and loudness and amplitude, how the ear works, how other devices detect sound.

Students will observe how metals react with acids and be able to write equations to demonstrate this. They will explore the reactivity series and how it is used to extract metals and how displacement reactions occur due to this.

Summer

The Earth
Electricity & magnetism
Ecosystems
Motion & pressure

Students will learn about the structure of the earth, the formation of rocks and sustainability of the earth and it’s atmosphere, including contributing factors.

Students will understand how objects become charged. They will gain knowledge on the key components in circuits and what their symbols are. They will build circuits from diagrams and investigate factors that can affect them. They will understand magnetism, how magnets interact and the earth’s magnetic field. To understand how electricity can be used to create electromagnets & explore their uses.

Students will understand the processes of photosynthesis & respiration. They will investigate factors that affect them. They will look at food chains/webs interdependence and bioaccumulation within a habitat.

Students will learn how to calculate the speeds of objects and interpret distance/ time graphs. They will learn about pressure in different states and how to calculate and what a moment is.