Year 7
This half term we will be using our scientific investigation skills to delve deeper in to ideas about space in physics, fertilisation in biology and separating mixtures in chemistry.
All three topics allow us to use exciting practical techniques to develop a better understanding of the world around us.
Physics: space; learn about the forces acting in space, the planets of the solar system and how Earths position and movement in space affects us.
Biology: fertilisation; learn how plants and animals reproduce and grow from single cells to multi cellular organisms.
Chemistry: Separating mixtures; use a range of practical techniques to separate a variety of mixed substances whether solid, liquid or gas in nature.
Year 8
In year 8 we will be investigating the different ideas behind, photosynthesis, waves, the Earth and atmosphere and genetics. You will get the opportunity to use a variety of scientific equipment to develop a better understanding of the world we live in.
Biology: photosynthesis; investigate how changing factors can affect the growth of plant.
Physics: waves; use ideas about waves to investigate the properties of light and sound.
Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere; explain how the Earth provides us with everything we require. This topic allows us to use scientific techniques to explore the development of the Earth’s atmosphere over time and how that affects us.
Biology: genetics; this topic provides students with an opportunity to discuss how our genes code for our appearance and how scientists have developed techniques that can interfere with this ‘natural’ process.
Practical:
During half term 5, both years 7 and 8 will be studying plants and photosynthesis as part of the biology element. During the first 2 weeks, students have been learning about photosynthesis and respiration in plants. Students covered the leaves of plants in tin foil to limit the sunlight they were exposed to. Students predicted that the leaves covered in foil would not be able to soak up the sun’s light and photosynthesis would not occur.
After 2 weeks, students compared the leaves covered in tin foil with those that were not. In the experiment shown, levels of starch in each leaf was measured, this helped prove the student hypothesis that the leaves covered in tin foil would not be successful in producing energy.