Trilogy Combined Science Spring Term

Learners will finish the rota of lessons they started in the previous term which includes “Genetic inheritance”, “Nervous system”, “Periodic table” and “Electricity”. They will then start a new rota which includes “Evolution & Plant organisation”, “Bonding” and “Particle model of matter & Internal Energy”

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.

Evolution; During this unit learners will be able to explore where we all came from and how things develop over time.  There is a key focus on animals and evolution, they will also apply their knowledge of evolution to a developing issue in our hospitals with MRSA. They will get to see what survival of the fittest really means and touch on the key moments in history where our understanding of evolution came from.  This unit looks at Darwin’s theory as well as reviewing and comparing others theories and why Darwin’s theory was accepted. Learners will get to explore speciation, evidence of evolution with a focus on fossils as well as classification.

Plant organisation; Students look at the structure of plant cells, tissues and organs and how they are adapted to their functions. This unit will also give them an opportunity to revise the different organelles in cells and compare plant and animal cells. Students specifically look into the xylem and phloem which transport substances around a plant. They will look into what can affect the rate of transpiration and how this links to how plants are adapted to live in different environments. They will recall the various methods of cell transport and how root hair cells are specialised to carry out all three.

Bonding; In this unit we look at how chemists have used theories of structure and bonding to explain the physical and chemical properties of materials. Learners start by looking at the different types of bonds that compounds have; ionic, simple covalent, giant covalent and metallic. They look at how they are arranged in these bonds. They will also look at how scientists use this knowledge of structure and bonding to engineer new materials with desirable properties such as fullerenes.

Particle model of matter & internal energy; In this unit learners will recap the different states of matter. They will look into why temperature remains the same when there is a change in state.  They will look at density and have an opportunity to complete the required practical to measure the density of regular and irregular shapes.  Learners then look at heat transfer and the specific heat capacity of different materials.

Genetics, nervous system including reflex responses, how elements are organised, electricity, evolution, structure of plants, bonding in molecules, particle model of matter and internal energy

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.