In year 7 the course is broken up into 4 sections. During each time block all classes will study every unit, but not all classes complete them in the same order. Students will usually complete a test at the end of each unit.
Section 1
Skills unit: This unit introduces students to many skills they will need in science including; how to light and use a Bunsen burner safely, the meaning of hazard symbols, the laboratory rules, names of scientific equipment and how to draw them correctly, how to write up an experiment, how to draw and interpret a line graph. Students complete two tests during this unit; a mid-topic test and then a full end of unit test.
Section 2
Cells unit: This unit introduces students to the structure of plant and animal cells. They learn how to draw and label both types of cells and learn the functions of the various cell parts. They then learn how cells in both animals and plants can be adapted for specific roles. They learn how to use a microscope and then use them to view slides of cells that they have made.
Life process unit: This unit introduces the students to the 7 life processes that are done by all living things. They learn the location and basic function of human body organs and how they combine into organ systems. They practise some graphical skills in the context of the effect of exercise on the human body. They learn about the structure and function of the human skeleton and how the skeleton and muscles allow us to move.
Acids and alkalis unit: This unit introduces students to ideas about acids, alkalis and the pH scale. They use universal indicator to test the pH of a range of household and laboratory chemicals. They make their own pH indicator from plant material and then test it to see what colour it goes in acids and alkalis. They learn about neutralisation and apply it to some real life situations. They also react acids with carbonates and learn how to use a chemical test to identify the gas.
Energy resources unit: This unit introduces students to different types of energy and how they can be changed from one form to another. They research a range of renewable and non-renewable energy sources and present their findings to the class. They complete calculations on energy efficiency and learn about the relative energy efficiency of household appliances. Finally they complete and write up an experiment to look out how much energy is found in food.
Section 3
Reproduction unit: This unit introduces students to ideas about both plant and human reproduction. They dissect a flower to look at the reproductive organs and then consider pollination, fertilisation and seed dispersal. They then look at puberty, the human reproductive organs, the menstrual cycle and some basic ideas on how babies develop and are born.
Solids, liquids and gases unit: This unit introduces students to how particle theory can be used to represent solids, liquids and gases. They can then use particle theory to explain concepts including the properties of solids, liquids and gases, diffusion, Brownian motion, dissolving and gas pressure. Finally they consider how the arrangement of particles changes as substances change state for example when substances melt or evaporate.
Electricity unit: Students start by learning how to interpret electrical circuit diagrams and how to check for errors within circuits that they build so they can fix them. They then use their knowledge to build a range of series and parallel circuits to investigate the effect of adding or removing both cells and bulbs and to see how this changes the flow of current in the circuit. They learn how to explain the flow of electrical current through a circuit in terms of electrons and link this to ideas on current and voltage. They complete a simple investigation into the function of variable resistors, look at electrical safety and electricity within the home. Finally they look at static electricity.
Solar system and beyond unit: Students start by learning ideas about day & night, seasons and phases of the moon. They complete research into one or more planets from within our solar system. They then consider ideas about distances in space, gravity, how our understanding of space has developed over the years and whether there may be aliens on other planets both within and beyond our solar system.
Section 4
Food unit: Students learn ideas about the components of a balanced diet and how our energy requirements change during our lives. They then look at what our body does with the food we eat, including an introduction to the role of enzymes. Finally they look at how temperature affects enzyme action and the role of bacteria in our guts.
Solutions unit: Students start by considering ideas about pure substances and mixtures. They then look at a range of ways in which mixtures can be separated including filtering, evaporation, distillation and chromatography. Where possible they explain how the processes work using particle theory. They also plan and then complete an experiment to make pure salt from rock salt.
Forces and their effects unit: Students start by considering a range of different forces, dividing them into contact and non-contact forces. They then consider balanced and unbalanced forces and what can happen when forces on an object are unbalanced. They then investigate a range of forces including up thrust, friction and air resistance. They can also make and test their own force meter.