Science
Understanding Living Things and the Processes of Life
KEY FEATURES
This outcome will be attained through the study of:
- the variety and characteristics of living things
- the processes of life
- the interaction of living things with their environment
Therefore, by the end of S2 a pupil's curriculum should have included study
of:
- the characteristic features of the main groups of plants and animals,
including humans and micro-organisms
- the structure and function of cells
- the processes of life, namely movement, reproduction, nutrition,
sensitivity, growth, excretion and respiration
- stages of development, including metamorphosis
- similarities and differences between living things including simple
principles of genetics and heredity
- interdependence of living things with each other and with their
environmentconservation and care of living things
- adaptation to the environment
- conditions for healthy and safe living
- applications of biological science in medicine in medicine, biotechnology.
agriculture and other appropriate industries
CONTEXTS AND CONTENT FOR DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING
At all stages, pupils should be encouraged to learn, understand and use the
language, terminology and symbols appropriate to the area of study and to their
stage of development.
In developing a progressively deeper knowledge and understanding of living
things and the processes of life, pupils should be given opportunities to
observe and investigate plants and animals in the classroom, school and
community. In addition they should carry out fieldwork in the immediate vicinity
of the school and pay visits to nearby locations such as seashore, woodland,
park or pond or to suitable industries.
Studies should provide pupils with experience of living material, artefacts
and scientific equipment, complemented by the use of audio-visual and reference
materials, with first-hand experience predominating at all stages but especially
at the early stages.
Examples are provided at some points to give an indication of the depth of
treatment but are not intended to be restrictive and additional examples can be
included where appropriate.
Studies should focus on:
Variety And Characteristic Features
- sorting living things into broad groups according to easily observable
characteristics, e.g. birds, insects, flowers, evergreen/deciduous trees...

- recognising and naming common plants and animals in the classroom and local
environment...
- similarities and differences between themselves and other pupils...

The Processes Of Life
- changes which occur in plants and animals, including humans, which are
indicative of growth and maturation, e.g. seeds germinating, buds bursting,
milk/adult teeth...
- use of all of the senses (smell, sight, taste,hearing, balance, touch,
(pain, heat/cold)) to detect information and to keep the body safe...
- simple life cycles of plants and animals to illustrate stages of
development e.g. seeds to plants, caterpillar, pupa to moth, spawn and tadpole
to frog...
Interaction of Living Things with their Environment
- animals and plants in a variety of habitats, to demonstrate variety and to
show how living things depend on each other...
- caring for living things in the classroom and the home, e.g. houseplants,
bulbs, pets...
- seasonal changes which take place in the appearance or behaviour of animals
and plants, e.g. leaf fall, hibernation, migration, colour changes...
Studies should focus on:
Variety And Characteristic Features
- the main distinguishing features of vertebrates (fish, amphibians,
reptiles, birds and mammals), major invertebrate groups (worms, molluscs,
arthropods such as insects, spiders and crabs), flowering and non-flowering
plants...

- recognising and naming some members of these groups using simple keys...
- similarities and differences between plants and animals of the same
species, e.g. leaf shape, breeds of dog...
The Processes Of Life
- the structure and functions of the major parts of the body as they relate
to the processes of movement (muscles, bones and joints) and nutrition (teeth
and digestive system)...
- the structure and functions of the parts of flowering plants (roots, stem,
leaves, flowers) and factors which affect germination and growth...
- dispersal of fruits and seeds by animals (externally/internally), by wind
and by self...
Interaction of living things with their Environment
- the interaction between humans and their environment in relation to aspects
such as farming, fishing and other local industries...
- simple food chains based on energy from the sun...
- the importance of conservation and of the value of re-cycling materials...
- living things which are very rare or which have become extinct, e.g.
protected species, dinosaurs...
- how plants and animals are affected by environmental conditions such as
light/shade, dry/moist, hot/cold...
Studies should focus on:
Variety And Characteristic Features
- the main distinguishing features of flowering (monocotyledons,
dicotyledons) and non-flowering plants (algae, mosses, lichens, ferns, fungi,
conifers) and micro-organisms (bacteria and viruses)...
- similarities and differences within a group leading to the concept of a
species...
- creating and using classification keys to identify living things...
- continuous and discontinuous variation...
- introduction to how information is passed from one generation to the
next...
The Processes Of Life
- the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells...
- the structure and functions of the major parts of the body as they relate
to the processes of respiration, excretion, sensitivity and reproduction...
- development, birth and parental care...
- changes in the physical and emotional development of human beings at
puberty...
- the process of reproduction in flowering plants with reference to cross-
(wind and insect) and self-pollination...
- photosynthesis, explaining the significance of this process to green
plants, to the energy requirements of all animals and to the maintenance of the
earth's atmosphere...
Interaction Of Living Things With Their Environment
- food webs and food pyramids...
- competition between living things with respect to food and space...
- birth rate, death rate and factors which limit the growth of populations...
- the various ways in which humans can act on the environment, whether to its
benefit or detriment, e.g. forestation, dealing with pollutants, farming
methods, chemical processing plants...

- adaptation to the environment over a period of time, leading to an
understanding of the process of evolution and the survival or extinction of
species...
- responses of plants and animals to environmental stimuli including growth
responses in plants and behaviour in animals...
KEY FEATURES
This outcome will be attained through the study of:
- forms and sources of energy
- properties and uses of different forms of energy
- conversion of energy from one form to another
- transfer of energy; forces and their effects
Therefore, by the end of S2 a pupil's curriculum should have includedstudy
of:
- different forms of energy, including heat, light, sound, chemical and
electrical
- sources of energy including the Sun, food, wind, water, fossil fuel,
nuclear
- some ways in which various forms of energy can be converted to other forms
and transferred from one place to another
- forces, including the force of gravity, magnetic and electrical forces
- the effect of forces in causing and resisting movement
CONTEXTS AND CONTENT FOR DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING
In developing a progressively deeper knowledge and understanding of energy
and forces, pupils should be given the opportunity to observe and investigate
different forms of energy and forces and their properties and applications, in
the classroom, school and community.
At all stages, pupils should be encouraged to learn, understand and use the
language, terminology and symbols appropriate to the area of study and to their
stage of development
Pupils will be concerned with the forms of energy and forces which they can
observe and experience directly in their immediate environment, through play and
everyday life.
Studies should focus on:
Forms And Sources Of Energy
- heat, light and sound which pupils can detect with their own senses...

- recognition that heat, light and sound are forms of energy...

Properties And Uses Of Energy
- everyday uses of these forms of energy in common devices, e.g. cooker,
candle, bell...
- safe use of energy providers...
Forces And Their Effects
- the effects of pushing, pulling, floating, leading to the idea of a
force...
- moving and stopping effects, e.g. pulling or pushing a toy...
- the force of friction and its effects...
- the turning effect of a force, e.g. turning a door handle, twisting an
elastic band...
Pupils will continue to deal with topics covered earlier, but practical
investigations will lead to a greater depth of under-standing of scientific
Ideas and principles
Studies should focus on:
Forms And Sources of Energy
- the Sun as the main source of light and heat...
- sound from a variety of vibrating sources, e.g. tuning fork, violin string,
radio and TV speaker...
- electricity as a form of energy...
- sources of electrical energy, e.g. mains, power station, battery...

Properties And Uses Of Energy
- use of thermometers to measure 'hotness', leading to distinction between
heat and temperature...
- sunlight and shadows (no direct viewing of the sun!)...

- mirrors and reflections, including curved mirrors...
- lenses and refraction...
- colours in sunlight, visible spectrum formed by a prism...

- simple applications of mirrors and lenses e.g. car mirrors, spectacles,
magnifying glass, telescope...
- pitch and volume of sounds including applications, e.g. speech, musical
instruments, alarms...
- electrical conductors and insulators...
- construction of battery operated circuits to operate, e.g. bells, buzzers,
lamps, warning lights...
- electrical safety...

Conversion And Transfer Of Energy
- simple introduction to the idea that one form of energy can be converted to
another e.g. electrical to heat, light and sound ...

Forces And Their Effects
- friction forces on different surfaces, reducing friction...
- air resistance, streamlining...

- force of gravity...

- magnetic materials, forces of attraction and repulsion...

- motion down a slope under gravity...

- Earth's magnetic field and the compass...

- magnetic materials in everyday use...

Pupils will grow in sophistication of understanding of the phenomena of
energy and forces.
They will learn more about the conversion of energy and forces. They will
learn more about the conversion of one form of energy to another and of some of
the environmental implications.
They will begin to understand the need for units of measurement
Studies should focus on:
Forms and Sources of Energy
- the range of available energy sources, e.g. fossil fuels, solar energy,
hydro-power, nuclear energy...

- renewable and non-renewable sources of energy...
- energy options issues...
- potential and kinetic energy...
- how energy is defined...
Properties And Uses Of Energy
- measurement of energy, need for units, unit of energy - the kilo joule
(kJ)...
- basic electrical circuit components...

- voltage, current and resistance in simple dc. circuits...
- microelectronics components...
- electrical power...
- magnetic effect of a current...
- many applications of different forms of energy, e.g. heating systems -
radiators, insulation; cameras to lasers; control and alarm systems...
Conversion And Transfer Of Energy
- more detailed treatment of conversion from one form of energy to another,
e.g. fossil fuel or nuclear energy to electrical, wave energy to electrical
energy, electrical energy to heat...

- conduction, convection and radiation of energy; ways and means of making
the best use of energy...
- ways and means of making the best use of energy...

Forces And Their Effects
- measurement of forces, spring balance unit of force - the Newton (N)...
- weight...
- 1 kg weight is approximately 10N...
- the lever as a force magnifier...
- simple pulley systems...

- simple gear systems...

KEY FEATURES
The theme of this outcome is 'Spaceship Earth', its position in space, its
scientific features and the resources it supplies.
The outcome will be achieved through the study of:
- the Earth in space
- the physical nature of the Earth, with particular reference to the
important roles played by water and air
- the material resources of the Earth - their variety, structure and
different uses
Therefore, by the end of S2 a pupil's curriculum should have included study
of:
- the solar system and Earth's position in it
- features of the universe
- air and water - the atmosphere and water cycle
- the Earth's crust - its features, the materials it supplies and how these
materials are used
- matter as particles
- elements and compounds and simple chemical reactions
- applications of chemistry and earth science
CONTEXTS AND CONTENT FOR DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING
In developing a progressively deeper knowledge and understanding of Earth
and space, pupils should be given the opportunity to observe and investigate, in
the classroom, school and community, including industrial settings.
Throughout, emphasis should be laid on the finite future of many of the
Earth's resources and the need to use them sensibly.
Pupils will be concerned mainly with the features which they meet in
everyday life.
Studies should focus on:
Earth In Space
- the Sun, Moon and stars as seen from the Earth...

- patterns of day and night...

- seasons...
On Planet Earth
- changes in the environment related to seasons...

- simple features of the weather, with particular reference to water as rain,
snow, ice...
Materials From Earth
- common materials with straight forward uses from living and non-living
sources, e.g. stone, sand, wood for building, wool for clothes, coal as fuel,
water...

- easily observable differences in properties of common materials such as
wood and stone, e.g. hard/soft, wet/dry, rough/smooth, warm/cold...
Pupils will continue to deal with topics covered earlier, studying them in
greater depth, but will extend knowledge and understanding to other areas by
investigations and access to printed and audio-visual sources.
Studies should focus on:
Earth In Space
- the planets of the solar system...
- measuring the passage of time...
On Planet Earth
- the Earth's atmosphere and some effects of having air around the planet...

- the water cycle (in simple outline) introducing water as a gas, melting,
freezing, evaporation, condensation...

- patterns of weather observed locally...

Materials From Earth
- uses of water, methods of water conservation...

- further properties of common materials e.g. hardness, rigidity, insulating
properties, water resistance; relationship between a material's properties and
its use...
- natural and manufactured materials and simple examples of re-cycling...
- how materials can be changed:
by heat, e.g. melting, evaporating,
firing of clay ;
by mixing chemicals, e.g. making fizzy drinks, cement,
plaster of Paris;
and by a combination of both, e.g. baking a cake...
In carrying out studies at greater depth, pupils will seek scientific
explanations for their observations using evidence drawn from practical
activities and a wide variety of print and audio-visual sources.
Studies should focus on:
Earth In Space
- major features of the universe;further detail of the solar system...

- how knowledge can be gained by space exploration...

- the motions of Sun, Moon, Earth and planets, and related effects, e.g.
day/night, seasons, phases of the Moon...

On Planet Earth
- the structure of the Earth;the Earth's crust and processes which led to the
formation of main features in it, e.g. formation of different types of rock,
fossils...
- the structure and properties of soils...
- the existence of materials as solids, liquids, gases; properties of solids,
liquids, gases, including expansion, density, pressure...

- the particulate nature of matter - atoms, molecules...

- explanations of some of the simpler features of the weather...

Materials From Earth
- materials as elements, compounds; simple chemical reactions which change
one material into another, e.g. reactions of metals, acids, making simple
gases...

- further aspects of water, e.g. solubility, solutions; treatment of drinking
water, waste water; preventing pollution and simpler properties of other common
solvents...
- useful materials found in the Earth's crust as mixtures, solutions, e.g.
rock salt, oil, sea water, or as compounds, e.g. metal ores...
- methods of extracting these useful materials, including distillation,
filtration, break-up of compounds...

- further examples relating use of materials to properties, including
corrosion resistance...
- a more detailed consideration of re-cycling and of conservation of finite
mineral resources...
- the gases of the atmosphere - properties and uses...

- fossil fuels: occurrence, combustion and effects of emission of 'greenhouse
gases'; methodsof avoiding/overcoming atmospheric pollution; other uses (outline
only)...

Shetland Education Authority 16 April, 1995