Lower Secondary Science — Year 3

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Unit 1 Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can describe the structure of the atom and how models of it developed, use atomic and mass numbers to count particles, write electron arrangements for the first 20 elements, explain trends in groups 1, 7 and 0, and describe ionic and covalent bonding. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (a gold foil model, a nucleus model, electron shell models, group 1 observations as data, and molecule models), and a 30-mark unit test. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Diversity of Matter: structure of the atom (protons, neutrons, electrons), atomic and mass numbers, electron arrangement of the first 20 elements, the periodic table (groups and periods), formation of ions and chemical bonding (ionic and covalent) Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Chemistry – Materials and their structure (9Cm): the structure of the atom, the development of atomic models (Rutherford), protons, neutrons and electrons, the periodic table and trends in groups 1, 7 and 0, ionic and covalent bonds UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Atoms, elements and compounds; the periodic table: the arrangement of elements, periodic trends in groups and periods, the varying physical and chemical properties of different elements, metals and non-metals; a simple (Dalton) atomic model US NGSS Middle School: MS-PS1-1 (develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures) Students will be able to: describe the particles in an atom and how the atomic model changed with evidence use atomic number and mass number to find protons, neutrons and electrons, and explain isotopes write electron arrangements for the first 20 elements and link them to groups and periods describe and explain trends in groups 1, 7 and 0 explain how ionic and covalent bonds form and compare the properties of the substances All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used, with “sulfur” as recommended in both the UK and the US.

  • Lesson 1 · What Is Inside an Atom?
  • Lesson 1 Exit Quiz: Inside the Atom
  • Lesson 2 Exit Quiz: Atomic and Mass Number
  • Lesson 2 · What Do the Numbers Mean?
  • Lesson 3 · Where Are the Electrons?
  • Lesson 3 Exit Quiz: Electron Shells
  • Lesson 4 · Why Do Group 1 Metals Fizz?
  • Lesson 4 Exit Quiz: Groups and Trends
  • Lesson 5 · How Do Atoms Join?
  • Lesson 5 Exit Quiz: Ions and Bonds
  • Year 3 Unit 1 Test: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table (Section A)

Unit 2 Blood, Circulation and Disease
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can describe the structure of the heart and the double circulation, compare blood vessels and measure pulse rate, describe the parts of blood and their jobs, explain how pathogens spread (including malaria), and explain how the immune system, vaccines and antibiotics work. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (a heart-effort model, pulse before and after exercise, blood in a jar, glitter hand washing and a herd immunity model), and a 30-mark unit test. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Systems: the human circulatory system (heart, blood vessels, blood); Humans and the Environment: health, diseases caused by pathogens, malaria and its control, personal and community hygiene, immunisation Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Biology – Structure and function, Life processes (9Bp): the circulatory system, the structure of the heart, blood vessels, the composition and functions of blood; pathogens and defence against disease UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Structure and function of living organisms: the circulatory system; health: the effects of disease, the body’s defences, vaccination and antibiotics; working scientifically: means, ranges and repeatability US NGSS Middle School: MS-LS1-3 (the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells), with links to MS-LS1-1 (cells) and data analysis practices Students will be able to: describe the structure of the heart and explain the double circulation compare arteries, veins and capillaries, and measure and calculate pulse rate describe the parts of blood and their functions explain how pathogens spread, using malaria as an example, and how to prevent it explain how white blood cells, vaccines and antibiotics protect us, and why resistance matters All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used (US: “hemoglobin”, “anemia”). Health content is general education, not medical advice.

Unit 3 Forces, Work and Machines
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can calculate moments and use the principle of moments, calculate mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency, calculate work and power, calculate gravitational potential and kinetic energy and explain energy transfers, and use Newton’s laws to explain motion and road safety. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (a ruler see-saw, pulley test data, personal power on stairs, a bounce test and a trolley crash test), and a 30-mark unit test. Every calculation is designed to be done without a calculator, with g = 10 N/kg. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Forces and Energy: moments and the principle of moments, simple machines (levers, pulleys), mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency, work, energy and power, conservation of energy, Newton’s laws of motion Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Physics – Forces and energy (9Pf): moments and the principle of moments, turning forces, resultant forces, energy transfers and conservation of energy, work done and power (extension) UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Forces: moments as the turning effect of a force, balanced and unbalanced forces, forces and motion; Energy: work done and energy changes, comparing power ratings, calculating energy changes, conservation of energy US NGSS Middle School: MS-PS2-1 (Newton’s third law in collisions), MS-PS2-2 (motion depends on the sum of the forces and the mass), MS-PS3-1 (kinetic energy, mass and speed), MS-PS3-2 (potential energy and distance) Students will be able to: calculate moments and use the principle of moments to find missing forces and distances calculate mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency for levers and pulleys calculate work done and power, including personal power on stairs calculate GPE and KE, and explain energy transfers using conservation of energy use Newton’s three laws and F = ma to explain motion and road safety All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. All calculations use g = 10 N/kg and are set for no calculator.

Unit 4 Plates, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Unit overview t By the end of this unit, students can describe the Earth’s layers, explain the evidence for continental drift and how convection moves plates, describe plate boundaries and the causes of earthquakes, explain how volcanoes and igneous rocks form, and describe how people monitor and prepare for natural hazards. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (a layered Earth model, a continent jigsaw, a block-slip model and earthquake records, crystal cooling, and a landslide slope test), and a 30-mark unit test. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Cycles: the structure of the Earth, rocks and the rock cycle (igneous rocks); Humans and the Environment: natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, landslides), their causes, effects and safety measures Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Earth and Space – Planet Earth (9Ep): the structure of the Earth, plate tectonics and the evidence for it, how plate movement causes earthquakes and volcanoes, the formation of igneous rocks UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Earth and atmosphere: the composition of the Earth, the structure of the Earth, the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks US NGSS Middle School: MS-ESS2-2 (geoscience processes change Earth’s surface at varying scales), MS-ESS2-3 (evidence of past plate motions from fossils, rocks, continental shapes and sea-floor structures), MS-ESS3-2 (data on natural hazards to forecast future events and inform mitigation) Students will be able to: describe the structure of the Earth and how we know about it explain the evidence for continental drift and how convection currents move plates describe the three types of plate boundary and explain the causes of earthquakes explain how volcanoes and igneous rocks form, and the hazards and benefits of volcanoes describe how natural hazards are monitored, and how communities prepare for them All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Earthquake figures are rounded, typical values for teaching.

Unit 5 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can describe DNA, genes and chromosomes, use Punnett squares to predict inheritance, classify variation and its causes, explain natural selection (including insecticide and antibiotic resistance), and describe fossils, extinction and selective breeding. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (DNA extraction from fruit, coin-toss inheritance, measuring hand spans, the bean bird game, and model fossils), and a 30-mark unit test. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Cycles: life cycles, heredity and variation in living things; Diversity of Matter: variation within species; Humans and the Environment: control of insect vectors and the problem of resistance Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Biology – Structure and function, Ecosystems (9Bs, 9Be): DNA, genes and chromosomes, inheritance, variation, natural selection and evolution, fossils, selective breeding UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Genetics and evolution: inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes; heredity and a simple model of chromosomes, genes and DNA; differences between species; variation between individuals (continuous and discontinuous); natural selection; changes in the environment leading to extinction; gene banks and selective breeding US NGSS Middle School: MS-LS3-1 (mutations), MS-LS3-2 (sexual reproduction and genetic variation), MS-LS4-1 (the fossil record), MS-LS4-4 (natural selection and variation), MS-LS4-5 (technologies such as selective breeding that change inheritance) Students will be able to: describe the relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes, and chromosome numbers in body and sex cells use Punnett squares to predict ratios and probabilities for single-gene inheritance classify variation as continuous or discontinuous, and as genetic, environmental or both explain natural selection, including insecticide and antibiotic resistance describe how fossils form and what they show, and the benefits and risks of selective breeding All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Eye colour is taught as a simplified single-gene example; real eye colour involves several genes.

Unit 6 Reactions, Equations and Rates
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can write and balance symbol equations, use conservation of mass and relative formula mass in calculations, predict the products of reactions that make salts, explain factors affecting reaction rate using collision theory, and describe how soap is made and how it cleans. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (counter models, a balloon-on-bottle mass test, salt crystals from vinegar, fizzing tablets at different temperatures, and a soap lather test), and a 30-mark unit test. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Diversity of Matter: chemical formulae and balanced equations, acids, bases and salts, preparation of salts, rates of reaction; Humans and the Environment: science and industry (soap making, saponification) Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Chemistry – Changes to materials (9Cc): word and symbol equations, conservation of mass, preparing salts (acids with metals, bases and carbonates), rates of reaction and the effect of temperature, concentration, surface area and catalysts UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Chemical reactions: representing reactions with formulae and balanced equations, conservation of mass, reactions of acids with metals to produce a salt plus hydrogen and with alkalis to produce a salt plus water, the role of catalysts; Energetics US NGSS Middle School: MS-PS1-2 (properties of substances before and after a reaction), MS-PS1-5 (atoms are conserved and mass is conserved in a chemical reaction) Students will be able to: write and balance symbol equations, including state symbols use conservation of mass and relative formula mass in simple calculations predict and name the salts made from acids with metals, bases and carbonates explain the effects of temperature, concentration, surface area and catalysts on rate describe how soap is made, how it cleans, and the safety needed in industry All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used, with “sulfur” and “sulfate” as recommended in both the UK and the US. Relative atomic masses are rounded whole numbers.

Unit 7 Electricity and Magnetism
Unit overview Copy section Plain text By the end of this unit, students can use V = I × R and interpret I–V graphs, combine resistors and choose sensors (LDRs, thermistors) and diodes, calculate power, kilowatt-hours and the cost of electricity, describe magnetic fields and the Earth’s field, and explain electromagnets and the motor effect. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (a pencil-line resistor, sensor data, a home energy audit, a floating compass and a nail electromagnet), and a 30-mark unit test. Junior 1 Unit 10 introduced circuits, diodes and kWh; this unit builds on it with calculation. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Forces and Energy: electricity and electronics (Ohm’s law, resistors, diodes, LDRs and thermistors, sensors), electrical power and energy, cost of electricity; magnetism, electromagnets and simple motors Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Physics – Electricity and magnetism (9Pe): resistance and calculating it from voltage and current, series and parallel resistors, magnetic fields, electromagnets and factors affecting their strength UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Current electricity: potential difference, resistance (V = IR), series and parallel; Magnetism: magnetic poles, fields, the Earth’s magnetism and compasses, electromagnets, D.C. motors; Domestic energy costs: comparing power ratings and kilowatt-hours US NGSS Middle School: MS-PS2-3 (factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces), MS-PS2-5 (fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though they are not in contact) Students will be able to: use V = I × R and interpret I–V graphs for a resistor and a filament lamp calculate total resistance in series, and describe diodes, LDRs and thermistors as sensors calculate power, energy in kWh and the cost of running appliances describe magnetic fields, field lines and the Earth’s magnetic field explain how electromagnets and simple motors work, and how to make them stronger or faster All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Costs are in dollars and cents as a neutral currency; mains voltage is taken as 230 V.

Unit 8 Animal Farming and Fish Farming
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can describe types of livestock and management systems, plan balanced rations and good housing, explain how farmers prevent and control animal disease, describe how fish are farmed and how water quality is managed, and use farm records to calculate performance and profit. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, activities with virtual alternatives (a livestock survey, ration planning, a health check record, a pond-plant oxygen test, and a week of farm records), and a 30-mark unit test. This is the Junior 3 agriculture unit. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Cycles: animal production (types of farm animals, breeds, systems of management, feeding, housing, health and disease control), fish farming; Humans and the Environment: farm records and simple farm accounts Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Biology – Ecosystems (9Be): human influences on ecosystems, food production, the impact of farming practices; links to respiration, disease and selective breeding UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Interdependence: the importance of food production and the effects of farming on ecosystems; links to health, disease, selective breeding and working scientifically with data US NGSS Middle School: MS-LS2-5 (evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining ecosystem services), MS-ESS3-3 (design a method for monitoring and minimising a human impact on the environment) Students will be able to: describe types of livestock, their products and the extensive, semi-intensive and intensive systems plan a balanced ration and describe good housing for ruminants explain how farmers prevent and control animal diseases and parasites describe fish farming and explain how water quality, feeding and stocking density are managed use farm records to calculate laying rates, feed conversion and profit All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Money is in dollars and cents as a neutral currency; breeds and species are internationally farmed examples.

Unit 9 Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can describe transverse and longitudinal waves and their properties, use v = f × λ, describe the electromagnetic spectrum and its uses, weigh the benefits and risks of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, and explain how lenses and the eye form images. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (waves on a rope, a tray ripple tank, Herschel’s infrared experiment, UV bead tests and a water-glass lens), and a 30-mark unit test. Junior 2 Unit 8 introduced reflection, refraction and sound; this unit builds on it. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Forces and Energy: waves and their properties, light (refraction by lenses, the eye), the electromagnetic spectrum and its uses and hazards Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Physics – Light and sound (9Ps): waves, wave properties, refraction and lenses; links to the electromagnetic spectrum UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Waves: transverse and longitudinal waves, frequency, amplitude and wavelength; Light waves: the speed of light, refraction by lenses, the eye as a lens, colours and frequency; the electromagnetic spectrum (introduction) US NGSS Middle School: MS-PS4-1 (mathematical representations of waves, including how amplitude relates to energy), MS-PS4-2 (waves are reflected, absorbed or transmitted through materials), MS-PS4-3 (digitised signals and wave-based communication) Students will be able to: describe transverse and longitudinal waves and define amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period use v = f × λ, including rearranging it describe the order, properties and uses of the electromagnetic spectrum evaluate the benefits and risks of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays explain how converging and diverging lenses and the eye form images, and how sight is corrected All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Speeds are rounded: light 300,000 km/s, sound in air 340 m/s.

Unit 10 Earth in the Universe
Unit overview By the end of this unit, students can explain gravity, weight and orbits, describe the life cycles of stars, use light-years to describe distances and the structure of the universe, explain how satellites orbit and are used, and evaluate where life might exist beyond Earth. The unit has five lessons of 10–15 minutes, practicals with virtual alternatives (an orbit on a string with planet data, star colours, a sand-grain scale model, spotting the space station, and a transit model with exoplanet data), and a 30-mark unit test. Junior 1 Unit 12 introduced the Solar System, day and night, seasons, the Moon and eclipses; this unit builds on it. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Systems: the solar system and the universe, gravity and the motion of planets and satellites, stars and galaxies, uses of artificial satellites Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stage 9): Earth and Space – Earth in space (9Es): gravity, orbits, stars and their life cycles, galaxies, the universe, and the search for life beyond Earth UK Key Stage 3 (Year 9): Space physics: gravity force, weight = mass × gravitational field strength (g), different on other planets and stars; gravity forces between Earth and Moon, and between Earth and Sun; our Sun as a star, other stars in our galaxy, other galaxies; the light-year as a unit of astronomical distance US NGSS Middle School: MS-ESS1-2 (the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system), MS-ESS1-3 (scale properties of objects in the solar system) Students will be able to: explain how gravity and sideways motion produce orbits, and use W = m × g on different worlds describe the life cycles of Sun-like and massive stars use light-years to describe distances, and describe galaxies and the scale of the universe explain how satellites stay in orbit and compare low, polar and geostationary orbits describe the conditions for life and how exoplanets are found, and evaluate the evidence All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Figures are rounded, current values for teaching.

Unit 11 Full Mock Exam
Unit overview This unit is a full mock examination with exam-technique teaching. By the end of it, students can interpret command words and mark allocations, complete a 40-question objective paper, a 40-mark structured paper and a 20-mark practical and data paper under timed conditions, mark their own work with mark schemes, and turn their results into a revision plan. Lesson 2 holds Paper 1: questions 1–10 are marked instantly on the page, and questions 11–40 are printed with an answer key. The whole of Paper 1 is also supplied as one timed Tutor LMS quiz (mock-paper-1.csv, 40 questions, 45 minutes). Lessons 3 and 4 hold Papers 2 and 3 with full mark schemes. Lesson 5 is an analysis and planning lesson. The unit test is a final mixed check. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): All strands (Diversity of Matter, Cycles, Systems, Forces and Energy, Humans and the Environment), assessed in the style of the BECE objective and structured papers, with practical and data skills Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stages 7–9): Mixed content from all strands, and Thinking and Working Scientifically: planning investigations, variables, recording and analysing data, anomalies, evaluation UK Key Stage 3: Mixed content from biology, chemistry and physics; Working scientifically: experimental skills and investigations, analysis and evaluation US NGSS Middle School: Mixed performance expectations; Science and Engineering Practices: planning and carrying out investigations, analysing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking Students will be able to: interpret command words and mark allocations, and write answers that match them complete a 40-question objective paper under timed conditions and mark it answer structured questions using method and follow-through marks apply practical skills: variables, anomalies, means, graphs, conclusions and safety analyse mock results by topic and build a personal revision plan All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used. Papers are modelled on the style, not the content, of public examinations.

Unit 12 Final Revision
Unit overview This is the final revision unit of the course. Each lesson revisits one area from all three years with a knowledge organiser, mixed exam-style questions with full solutions, a quick-fire recall table and a revision task: biology, chemistry, physics (with all the key equations), Earth science, space and agriculture, and working scientifically with last-minute exam tips. There is no unit test: Unit 11 (Full Mock Exam) is the final assessment. Each lesson still has its five-question exit quiz. Standards covered: BECE Science (GES/NaCCA Common Core): Review of all strands: Diversity of Matter, Cycles, Systems, Forces and Energy, Humans and the Environment Cambridge Lower Secondary Science (Stages 7–9): Review of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Space, and Thinking and Working Scientifically UK Key Stage 3: Review of biology, chemistry and physics programmes of study and Working scientifically US NGSS Middle School: Review of Life, Physical and Earth and Space Science performance expectations and the Science and Engineering Practices Students will be able to: recall and connect the big ideas in biology recall and connect the big ideas in chemistry recall and apply the key physics equations connect Earth science, space and agriculture apply working-scientifically skills and prepare effectively for exams All questions are original and written for this course. British spelling is used.