Science
Aims of the subject:
We aim to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics within The Deanery Science KS3 curriculum.
Pupils will develop their understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of scientific enquiry that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
| Year |
What will I learn? |
What will I do? |
| 7 |
Introduction to Science
Covering fundamental practical skills required to build the necessary foundations for GCSE Science
Biology
- Cells
- Movement
- Interdependence
- Plant Reproduction
- Human Reproduction
Chemistry
- Particle Model
- Separating Mixtures
- Acids and Alkalis
- Elements
Physics
- Energy
- Heating and Cooling
- Forces
- The Universe
|
At The Deanery we follow the ‘Big Ideas’ principle: The principles and models which connect difficult concepts are at the heart of our syllabus.
Biology Big Ideas
- Identify the principal features of a cheek cell and describe their functions
- Explore how the skeletal system and muscular system in a chicken wing work together to cause movement
- Use a model to investigate the impact of changes in a population of one organism on others in an ecosystem
- Use models to evaluate the features of various types of seed dispersal
- Relate advice to pregnant women to ideas about transfer of substances to the embryo
Chemistry Big Ideas
- Relate the features of the particle model to the properties of materials in different states
- Devise ways to separate mixtures, based on their properties
- Devise an enquiry to compare how well indigestion remedies work
- Compare the properties of elements with the properties of a compound formed from them
Physics Big Ideas
- Investigate variables that affect the speed of a toy car rolling down a slope
- Explain the way in which an astronaut’s weight varies on a journey to the moon
- Investigate factors that affect the size of frictional or drag forces
- Explain the energy transfer in a hand-crank torch
- Compare the running costs of fluorescent and filament light bulbs
- Investigate how to prevent heat loss by conduction, convection and radiation
- Relate observations of changing day length to an appropriate model of The Solar System
|
| 8 |
Biology
- Digestion
- Breathing
- Variation, inheritance and evolution.
Chemistry
- The Periodic Table
- Metals and Non-Metals
- Climate
- Earth Resources
Physics
- Electricity
- Waves, sound and light
|
Biology Big Ideas
- Evaluate how well a model represents key features of the digestive system
- Investigate a claim linking height and lung volume
- Model the inheritance of a specific trait and explore the variation of the offspring produced
- Review the evidence for theories about how a particular species went extinct
Chemistry Big Ideas
- Sort elements using chemical data and relate this to their position in The Periodic Table
- Use experimental results to suggest an order of reactivity of various metals
- Investigate the contribution that natural and human chemical processes make to our carbon dioxide emissions
- Predict the method used for extracting metal based on its position in the reactivity series
Physics Big Ideas
- Compare the voltage drop across resistors connected in a series circuit
- Compare and explain the current flow in different parts of a parallel circuit
- Relate changes in the shape of an oscilloscope trace to changes in pitch and volume
- Use ray diagrams to model how light passes through lenses and transparent materials
- Use the wave model to explain observations of the reflection, absorption and transmission of waves
- Relate the impact of different types of waves on living cells to their frequency and energy carried by the wave
|
| 9 |
Biology
- Respiration
- Photosynthesis
Chemistry
- Chemical Energy
- Types of Reactions
Physics
|
Biology Big Ideas
- Use lab tests on variegated leaves to show that chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis
- Use data from investigating fermentation with yeast to explore respiration
Chemistry Big Ideas
- Investigate a phenomenon that relies on an exothermic or endothermic reaction
- Investigate changes in mass for chemical and physical processes
Physics Big Ideas
- Investigate how pressure from your foot onto the ground varies with different footwear
- Explore the magnetic field pattern around different types or combinations of magnets
- Investigate ways of varying strength of an electromagnet
|
Extra-curricular opportunities
- KS3 STEM club
- KS3 Science club
How you can support your child’s progress
Please be aware that pupils will be given regular homework tasks which will need to be completed in order to progress on the course. As a faculty, we would be grateful if you could support your child when completing these and ensure that they are brought to school on time for the deadline.
