Year 7 — Science

Term 1: Matter & Organisms

Matter -

1. The Particle Model

2. Separating Mixtures

Students will first look at the properties of solids, liquids and gases based on the arrangement and movement of their particles. They will then develop practical skills by using a range of techniques to separate mixtures.

Organisms -

1. Movement

2. Cells

Students will start off the term by learning how the human body moves and will also compare different types of cells; how they are adapted to do their job and how they work together to form bigger structures. Students will also learn how to use a microscope.

Matter - 24 mark end of unit online assessment covering: States of Matter, Changing States, Separating Techniques (including chromatography & distillation), Solutions.

Organisms - 24 mark end of unit online assessment covering: the human skeleton, animal cells, plant cells, specialised cells, unicellular and multi-cellular organisms.

Solid

A solid is a sample of matter that retains its shape and density when not confined. The adjective solid describes the state, or condition, of matter having this property.

Liquid

A liquid is a sample of matter that conforms to the shape of a container in which it is held, and which acquires a defined surface in the presence of gravity.

Mitochondria

Part of the cell where energy is released from food molecules.

Nucleus

An organelle that controls the cell and contains the genetic information.

Cytoplasm

The material within a living cell where the majority of chemical reactions take place.

Gas

A gas is a sample of matter that conforms to the shape of a container in which it is held and acquires a uniform density inside the container, even in the presence of gravity and regardless of the amount of substance in the container.

Energy

Power derived from the utilisation of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.

Collision

An instance of one moving object or particle striking against another.

Dissolve

(with reference to a solid) Become or cause to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.

Saturate

To cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance, through solution, chemical combination, or the like; to charge to the utmost, as with magnetism.

Solution

A liquid mixture in which the minor component (the solute) is uniformly distributed within the major component (the solvent).

Solute

The minor component in a solution, dissolved in the solvent.

Solvent

Able to dissolve other substances.

Hazard

A danger or risk.

Muscle

A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human or animal body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body.

Cell Membrane

The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.

Vacuole

A space or vesicle within the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosed by a membrane and typically containing fluid.

Specialised

Specialised cells. Cells may be specialised for a particular function. Their structure will allow them to carry this function out.

Chloroplast

A cell structure found in green plants that contains chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

A layer lying outside the cell membrane that provides structure to plant, fungi and bacteria cells.

Organism

An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.

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Term 2: Reactions & Earth

Reactions:

1. Metals & Non-Metals

2. Acids & Alkalis

Students will study physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals, the reactions of metals with oxygen and acids and displacement reactions. Students will start developing their practical skills by testing various substances to identify whether they are acids or alkalis using different indicators. They will also apply their knowledge of the reactivity series to suggest whether displacement reactions will take place.

Earth:

1. The Earth's Structure

2. The Universe

Students will learn about the structure of the Earth by looking at the rock cycle and how different types of rocks were formed. This unit will then extend on to the structure of the Universe, the Solar System and the Earth as a planet in the Solar System.

Reactions - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: Metals & Non Metals, Reacting Metals with Oxygen & Acids, Reactivity Series, Displacement Reactions, Physical & Chemical Changes, Hazard Symbols, Acids & Alkalis, Indicators, Neutralisation.

Earth - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: the Composition of the Earth, Rocks & the Rock Cycle, Weathering, The Solar System, The Moon, Seasons and Satellites.

Indicator

A chemical substance which can be used to identify acids and bases.

Orbit

Path taken by a satellite, planet or star moving around a larger body. Earth completes one orbit of the Sun every year.

Chemical reaction

A change in which a new substance is formed.

Sedimentation

The process during water purification where small solid particles are allowed to settle.

Metal

A solid material which is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile, with good electrical and thermal conductivity (e.g. iron, gold, silver, and aluminium, and alloys such as steel).

Acid

A substance with particular chemical properties including turning litmus red, neutralising alkalis, and dissolving some metals; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind.

Alkali

A compound with particular chemical properties including turning litmus blue and neutralising or effervescing with acids; typically, a caustic or corrosive substance of this kind such as lime or soda.

Reactivity

Reactivity is the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reaction, either by itself or with other materials, and to release energy.

Corrosive

Corrosives are materials that can attack and chemically destroy exposed body tissues. Corrosives can also damage or even destroy metal. They begin to cause damage as soon as they touch the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, digestive tract, or the metal.

Antagonistic

A biological structure or chemical agent that interferes with the physiological action of another.

Environmental

Relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition.

Heliocentric

Having or representing the sun as the centre, as in the accepted astronomical model of the solar system.

Planet

A celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit round a star.

Satellite

An artificial body placed in orbit round the earth or another planet.

Igneous Rock

Rocks formed from the solidification of molten rock.

Extrusive Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks that have formed by rapid cooling, forming small crystals.

Intrusive Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks that have formed by slow cooling, forming large crystals.

Metamorphic Rock

Rocks that form under intense heat and pressure.

Sedimentary Rock

Rocks formed by the deposition and cementation of minerals or organic particles.

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Develop the individual:

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Term 3: Genes

Genes -

1. Variation

2. Human Reproduction

This topic will help students to understand the science behind human reproduction; from fertilisation, to pregnancy and birth. Students will learn the anatomical structure of the male and female reproductive systems, how characteristics vary between species and how variation can help in different environmental conditions. Students will also look at the stages of the development of the foetus and the stages of the menstrual cycle.

Revision of units learnt to date to consolidate prior learning.

Genes - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: Adaptation, Variation, Classification, Reproduction, Puberty, The Menstrual Cycle, Fertilisation and Pregnancy.

Fertilisation

Joining of a nucleus from a male and female sex cell.

Gestation

Process where the baby develops during pregnancy.

DNA

A molecule found in the nucleus of cells that contains genetic information.

Inherit

Derive (a quality, characteristic, or predisposition) genetically from one's parents or ancestors.

Variation

Variation, in biology, any difference between cells, individual organisms, or groups of organisms of any species caused either by genetic differences (genotypic variation) or by the effect of environmental factors.

Reproduction

The production of offspring by a sexual or asexual process.

Kinetic

Relating to or resulting from motion.

Thermal

Relating to heat.

Gravitational Potential

When an object is above the Earth's surface it has gravitational potential energy (GPE). The amount of GPE an object has depends on its mass and its height above the Earth's surface.

Energy

Power derived from the utilisation of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.

Gene

A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.

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Term 4: Waves & Energy

Waves -

1. Sound

2. Light

This unit introduces students to the properties of sound and light waves. Students learn about reflection of light on smooth and rough surfaces and the refraction of light through different media. They will learn how sound is made and transferred and will also learn how to draw ray diagrams to illustrate how light travels.

Energy

1. Energy cost

2. Energy transfers

This unit explores the relationship between kinetic energy and electrical energy and its application in generating energy for the home. Students also learn about non-renewable fossil fuels, burning fuels and the different sources of renewable energy.

Waves - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: Properties and behaviour of sound and light waves, the eye and seeing colour, the ear and hearing sound waves, reflection and refraction of light.

Energy - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: generating electricity, cost of electricity, efficiency, burning fuels, renewable and non-renewable energy sources and types of energy.

Light

Light energy is the only form of energy that we can actually see directly. It is formed through chemical, radiation, and mechanical means. Light energy can also be converted into other forms of energy.

Sound

Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear.

Reflect

Throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it.

Refract

Make (a ray of light) change direction when it enters another medium at an angle.

Gravitational

Movement towards or attraction to something.

Force

Strength as an attribute of physical action or movement, measured in Newtons.

Newtons

The SI unit of force. It is equal to the force that would give a mass of one kilogram an acceleration of one metre per second per second.

Attract

To draw by a physical force causing or tending to cause to approach, adhere, or unite; pull (opposed to repel ): The gravitational force of the earth attracts smaller bodies to it.

Friction

Friction is the resistance to motion of one object moving relative to another.

Pressure

The force per unit area that one region of a gas, liquid, or solid exerts on another. Pressure is usually measured in Pascal units, atmospheres, or pounds per square inch.

Waves

Vibrations that transport energy from place to place without transporting matter.

Longintudinal Wave

Wave motion in which the vibrations of the particles of the medium are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

Transverse Wave

Wave motion in which the vibrations of the particles of the medium are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

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Develop the individual:

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Term 5: Ecosystems & Forces

Ecosystems -

1. Interdependence

2. Plant Reproduction

This topic will heighten students’ awareness of ecosystems by looking at different species and how environmental changes affect species population. Students will also learn about the structure of plants and how plants reproduce including seed dispersal and pollination

Forces

1. Speed

2. Gravity

In this topic students learn about the difference between speed and velocity. They are taught how to calculate speed and to apply their understanding to real life examples such as a speeding car. Students also learn about resultant forces and how these affect the movement of objects. They also learn about distance-time and velocity-time graphs and are required to plot these and draw a line of best fit.

Ecosystems - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: Food chains & webs, populations, plant reproduction, seed dispersal & pollination, biotic and abiotic conditions, selective breeding.

Forces - 26 mark end of unit online assessment covering: forces, calculating speed, distance and velocity time graphs, gravity, weight, mass, Newton's 2nd law.

Species

A group of living things that have more in common with each other than with other groups.

Current

Flow of electric charge, in amperes (A).

Ecosystem

The living things in a given area and their non-living environment.

Population

Group of the same species living in an area.

Voltage

An electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.

Series Circuit

A series circuit is a circuit in which resistors are arranged in a chain, so the current has only one path to take. The current is the same through each resistor.

Parallel Circuit

A parallel circuit has two or more paths for current to flow through. Voltage is the same across each component of the parallel circuit. The sum of the currents through each path is equal to the total current that flows from the source.

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Term 6: Revision/Exam/Scientific Skills & Science Project

Working Scientifically - In this topic students will develop their investigative skills by considering key variables and fair tests. They will be required to plan and carry out an experiment based on a hypothesis, then collect data and draw a conclusion from their results.

Revision of all units learned this year in preparation for an end of year exam.

Project - This will also look at key analytical techniques required during a forensic investigation.

End of Year Exam

Calculate

To mathematically determine something.

Analyse

Examine something in order to interpret and explain it.

Discuss

Take into account all relevant information.

Construct

To create an answer or idea.

Critique

Evaluate in a detailed and critical way.

Justify

To explain with good reasoning.

Examine

Inspect something thoroughly.

Investigate

Systematically carry out inquiry.

Hypothesise

To propose an explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Explain

Make something clear in as much detail as possible.

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