Lower secondary science stage 9

Enquiry into scientific methods and practices 

Biology - Stage 9

Chemistry - Stage 9

Physics - Stage 9

Ideas and Evidence - Discuss and explain the importance of questions, evidence and explanations, using historical and contemporary examples 

Ideas and evidence • Test explanations by using them to make predictions and then evaluate these against evidence

Ideas and evidence • Discuss the way that scientists work today and how they worked in the past, including reference to experimentation, evidence and creative thought

Plan investigative work • Select ideas and produce plans for testing based on previous knowledge, understanding and research 

Plan investigative work • Suggest and use preliminary work to decide how to carry out an investigation 

Plan investigative work • Decide whether to use evidence from first hand experience or secondary sources 

Plan investigative work • Decide which measurements and observations are necessary and what equipment to use

Plan investigative work • Decide which apparatus to use and assess any hazards in the laboratory, field or workplace 

Plan investigative work • Use appropriate sampling techniques where required  

Obtain and present evidence • Make sufficient observations and measurements to reduce error and make results more reliable

Obtain and present evidence • Use a range of materials and equipment and control risks 

 Obtain and present evidence • Make observations and measurements 

Obtain and present evidence • Choose the best way to present results

Consider evidence and approach •  Describe patterns (correlations) seen in results

Consider evidence and approach • Interpret results using scientific knowledge and understanding 

Consider evidence and approach • Look critically at sources of secondary data 

Consider evidence and approach • Draw conclusions 

 Consider evidence and approach • Evaluate the methods used and refine for further investigations 

Consider evidence and approach • Compare results and methods used by others 

Consider evidence and approach • Present conclusions and evaluation of working methods in different ways 

Consider evidence and approach • Explain results using scientific knowledge and understanding. Communicate this clearly to others

• Define and describe photosynthesis, and use the word equation 

• Understand the importance of water and mineral salts to plant growth  

• Understand sexual reproduction in flowering plants, including pollination, fertilisation, seed formation and dispersal

• Explain the ways in which living things are adapted to their habitats. Secondary sources can be used 

• Research the work of scientists studying the natural world Secondary sources can be used 

• Explain and model food chains, food webs and energy flow  

• Explain the role of decomposers 

• Describe factors affecting the size of populations 

• Describe and investigate some effects of human influences on the environment 

• Use and construct keys to identify plants and animals  

• Understand that organisms inherit characteristics from their parents through genetic material that is carried in cell nuclei 

• Describe how selective breeding can lead to new varieties 

• Discuss the work of Darwin in developing the scientific theory of natural selection 

• Describe the structure of an atom and learn about the methods and discoveries of Rutherford  

• Compare the structures of the first twenty elements of the Periodic Table  

• Describe trends in groups and periods  

• Talk about the contribution of scientists. Secondary sources can be used 

•  Explore and explain the idea of endothermic processes, e.g. melting of ice, and exothermic reactions, e.g. burning, oxidation 

• Describe the reactivity of metals with oxygen, water and dilute acids  

• Explore and understand the reactivity series  

• Give examples of displacement reactions  

• Explain how to prepare some common salts by the reactions of metals and metal carbonates and be able to write word equations for these reactions 

• Give an explanation of the effects of concentration, particle size, temperature and catalysts on the rate of a reaction

• Explain that pressure is caused by the action of a force on an area  

• Determine densities of solids, liquids and gases 

• Explain pressures in gases and liquids (qualitative only)  

• Know that forces can cause objects to turn on a pivot and understand the principle of moments 

• Describe electrostatics and the concept of charge, including digital sensors  

• Interpret and draw simple parallel circuits 

• Model and explain how common types of components, including cells (batteries), affect current 

• Explain how current divides in parallel circuits  

• Measure current using ammeters and voltage using voltmeters, including digital meters  

• Use knowledge of energy sources including fossil fuels and renewable energy resources to consider the world’s energy needs, including research from secondary sources

 • Identify and explain the thermal (heat) energy transfer processes of conduction, convection and radiation 

• Explain cooling by evaporation