Science

Welcome to the Science Page

 **Year 7 Science Course Outline**

Science is…

Science is the study of the world around us. Scientists question what they find around them and carry out carefully planned tests to find answers to their questions.

The word ‘science’ comes from the Latin word scientia, meaning knowledge. For some people it’s an occupation; for others it’s used to design and build things. But everybody uses scientific knowledge, or devices made using scientific knowledge — every day.

Why study science?

Almost all areas of your life are affected by science. What you know about the world and your place in it comes from science. So does your understanding of the materials and objects you use and the animals and plants that live on this planet.

There is often something about science on the television, in the paper or a magazine. So studying this subject can give you a better awareness of current events. Science helps you to solve problems both for today and in the future. It gives you skills that you can use throughout your life.

In Science this year you will be learning about the following TOPICS…

1. ** Safety and Matter  **

__Chemists__ study how substances react with other substances. They investigate and explain why some substances behave differently from others and how they can best be used. ||
 * CHEMISTRY is… ||
 * The study of substances, what they are made of, how they are formed, how they change and what happens when they are combined. Branches of ch emistry include radiochemistry, the study of radioactive substances, and pharmacology and the study of the effect of drugs on living things.

2. ** @Classification **

__Biologists__ study living things. They investigate how living things function and how they live together. People like doctors and dentists use their knowledge of biology to help keep people and their teeth healthy. ||
 * BIOLOGY is… ||
 * The study of living things. There are many branches of biology. Zoology is concerned with animals and botany with plants. Entomology is the study of insects while microbiology is the study of living things that are too small to see without the help of a microscope.

 4. ** @Forces **  5. ** Light & Sound **

__ Physicists __ study different types of energy. They investigate and explain things like movement, heat, nuclear energy, light and electricity. Some engineers use their knowledge of physics to make sure buildings are strong and cars are safe. Physics knowledge is also used in electronics & computer design. ||
 * PHYSICS is… ||
 * The study of the behaviour of natural and manufactured things and reasons for their behaviour. Physics is concerned with movement and different forms of energy such as light, heat, electricity and nuclear energy. Branches of physics include acoustics, the study of sound.

** __3. Astronomy__ **


 * ASTRONOMY is… ||
 * The study of the stars, the sun, the planets, their moons as well as comets and asteroids.  Astronomers study the sky. They are concerned with planets, moons, stars, comets and other objects in space.  ||

6. ** Ecosystems **


 * Ecology is…  ||
 * The study of the way that living things interact with one another and with the world around them. An Ecosystem is an environment consisting of all of the living and non-living components that exist in a particular area. The living things (organisms) are considered a biological community, they interact with each other as well as with the non-living components, such as air, water, soil and sunlight. ||
 * __ 7. F LYING START...  // HEALTH and SCIENCE Page //__ **

** [|Take the junior science quiz!] ** You will need an email address to register your name to be added to the tally!

ASSESSMENT

You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding of the Science topics covered as well as the important skills taught to you. Your literacy & numeracy skills will be used and improved through learning about Science.

You may be assessed in the following ways:

||
 * Assessment type ||  Description
 * Science Workbook || Work completion, organisation and presentation ||
 * Projects || Open learning tasks to be completed in class-time. Often some work at home is required. ||
 * Practical Activities || The ability to conduct scientific investigations safely, use equipment correctly and record results accurately. ||
 * Scientific Report || A report of an experiment written in sections. Includes the aim, materials, method, results and conclusion. ||
 * Homework || Work to be completed at home before the due date (use of student planner and organisational skills). Homework improves your knowledge, understanding and key skills. ||
 * Participation || Contributing to class discussions (showing good listening skills), co-operating with others and showing a positive approach to learning. ||
 * Topic Test || Key questions to assess your knowledge, understanding and key skills. Includes opportunities for revision of test material. ||
 * Presentations || Presenting information to the class. ||

 **Sample Workbook Contents page**

// - Green questions 1&2 answered. Activity questions 1,3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 answered. // ||  ||
 * ** Item ** || ** Description ** || ** Page ** ||
 * 1 || Year 7 Science Course Outline ||  ||
 * 2 || Image of a Scientist //-// // Front cover // ||  ||
 * 3 || Science Safety Rules //-// // Pasted in // ||  ||
 * 4 || Playing it safe questions 1-5 ||  ||
 * 5 || Practical Activity 1: Observing and Recording //-// // What was done and observations table completed // ||  ||
 * 6 || Introducing the Bunsen Burner/ learning to light the Bunsen burner. //-// // Labeled diagram and 6 rules to lighting a Bunsen burner. Questions 1-5 // ||  ||
 * 7 || Bunsen Burner Storyboard //-// // 6 boxes. Draw images, write the rule. // ||  ||
 * 8 || Practical Activity 2: Heating substances in a test tube.
 * 9 || Solids, liquids and gas table //-// // Examples and properties completed // ||  ||
 * 10 || Journey of a drop of water - // Storyboard or narrative. // ||  ||
 * 11 || Practical Activity 3: Heating liquid in a beaker //-// // Reading the scale- thermometer activity, complete questions. // ||  ||
 * 12 || Change of state wheel, changing states questions //-// // Remember qu. 1-4, Analyse qu. 5-7 // ||  ||
 * 13 || Practical Activity 4: Forming Clouds //-complete green questions 1, 2 and 3, // ||  ||
 * 14 || The Particle Theory ||  ||
 * 15 || Practical Activity 5: The Expansion of Solids, Liquids and Gas. -//Answer questions 1-4// ||  ||
 * 16 || Test revision sheet ||  ||
 * 17 || Bilby classification table, questions 1-6. ||  ||

**Science Glossary Words -** See the glossary page on the navigation bar

**Sample Science Laboratory Equipment List**

an accurate diagram in pencil (not in 3D) make sure lines are ruled. || For mixing substances. ||
 * ** Name ** || ** Diagram ** || ** Use ** ||
 * Test tube || Make sure you have drawn
 * Beaker ||  || A container to hold liquid. Can be used while heating and cooling. ||
 * Bunsen Burner ||  || To heat substances . ||
 * Heat proof mat ||  ||  To protect the workbench from hot substances and equipment .  ||
 * Spatula ||  || To move small amounts of solid substances from one container to another ||
 * Dropper ||  || To transfer small amounts of liquid. ||
 * Tongs ||  || To hold a test tube while it is being heated ||
 * Test tube rack ||  || To store test tubes especially during transport, when pouring liquids or after heating. ||
 * Retort stand ||  || Used together with bossheads and clamps, to hold items of equipment at a suitable height ||
 * Clamp ||  || To be used with the retort stand. ||
 * Boss head ||  || To be used with the retort stand. ||
 * Conical flask ||  || A container to hold liquid. Can be used while heating and cooling. ||
 * Gauze mat ||  || To support beakers and similar containers of substances while they are being heated ||
 * Tripod ||  || t T o support beakers and similar containers of substances while they are being heated   ||
 * Measuring cylinder ||  || To accurately measure liquids. ||
 * Thermometer ||  || For measuring and indicating temperature. ||