Trilogy Combined Science Autumn Term

Learners will be taught on a rota on the following topics;

Organisation of ecosystems; This unit looks at both the living and non-living components of an ecosystem, focussing on how they work together and against each other to survive. They will study how animals and plants have adapted to live in their environment. We will carry out sampling practicals to count population sizes and measure the distribution of various species. We will briefly look into how the global environment is being affected by human activities such as pollution and habitat destruction, specifically how they affect the water and carbon cycle.

Atomic structure; In this unit we start by recapping the difference between atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures as well as how to separate mixtures. We then look into what atoms consist of; a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in shells. And how we can calculate the number of subatomic particles. Learners are challenged by looking at ions and isotopes, calculating relative atomic masses when given percentage abundance. They look into how the work of different scientists led us to the model of the atom we know today. They finish the unit by using their current understanding of atoms, elements and compounds to balance equations.

Energy; Learners will become familiar with the different energy stores. Energy transfer between these stores is responsible for all change within the universe. Learners will describe the changes in energy transfers within systems and consider the efficiency of these transfers. Learners will also use equations to calculate the amount of gravitational potential, kinetic or elastic potential energy an object will have. Learners will also discuss the effect of different renewable and non-renewable energy resources and compare their respective advantages and disadvantages. Learners may have to consider social and political contexts behind the decisions to use certain energy resources.

Genetic inheritance; This unit starts by looking at types of reproduction and how asexual reproduction leads to making clones and sexual reproduction produces unique offspring. We will study how meiosis produces gamete cells, containing half the number of chromosomes in a normal body cell. We will look at the structure of DNA, that scientists have studied the whole genome and the importance of this for medicine. Genetic mutations occur continuously but rarely they can affect the functioning of an animal or plant, sometimes for the better. We will also look at genetic inheritance and study some genetic disorders.

Nervous system; The human body can only survive under specific conditions; constant body temperature and pH as well as a constant supply of food and water. The body has a series of control systems to monitor and adjust the composition of the blood and tissues to stay alive. In this unit we look at the importance of this and focus on how the nervous system helps to sense changes in our body and how we respond to those changes. We will look at both conscious responses and reflex responses, carrying out a practical investigation to find out how fast our reflexes are.

Periodic table; Learners will learn about the periodic table, what it is and what it is used to show. They will delve into the development and design looking at the works of Mendeleev and Newlands as well as earlier models to see how it has been changed over time. Learners will use the periodic table to look at group 0, 1 and 7 elements, identifying properties based on their position within the table, and discussing how their properties relate to their electron structures.

Electricity; Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter everywhere. In this unit we look at the different electrical components; what they do and what their symbols are. We look into what charge, current, potential difference and resistance is, focusing on ohm's law. We look at how series and parallel components affect the current, potential difference and resistance for different components in a circuit. Lastly, we look at how different components affect resistance such as the length of a wire and lamps.

Living things and their environment, what everything is made from, energy transfers, genetics, nervous system including reflex responses, how elements are organised, electricity

End of unit assessment will consist of a 40 mark test

Midway assessment set by class teacher which could be an exam question

Learners will receive guidance in a variety of ways.  These include marked assessments, reports, verbal feedback, written feedback in books, 1:1 interaction, Google Classroom and whole class feedback.