Unit 1 - Diseases

Content

What a disease is and the different types of disease (communicable vs. non-communicable diseases)
The difference between a pathogen and a microorganism.
The different types of microorganisms (that could be potential pathogens too): virus, bacteria, protozoa and fungi.
Malaria - what it is, how it is transmitted, symptoms, how it can be prevented, treatment.
How communicable diseases are spread (droplet, ingestion, air, contact, (STD's) vectors, etc.)
Spreading of disease simulation - patient zero.
What the Germ theory is, the scientists who developed it and how it changed today's world.
Physical barriers - skin, mucus, ear wax, tears, etc.
How effective the skin is at protecting the body.
Immune system - passive and active immunity.
History of vaccination - Edward Jenner
How vaccines work.
MMR vaccine case study.
What antibiotics are, types of antibiotics, and how using antibiotics helps the immune system fight infections.
The misuse of antibiotics in food, agriculture, etc.
Diseases throughout history - Black Death, Spanish flu, Measles, etc.

Skills and understanding

Research skills in the research task on Malaria.
Develop thinking skills by simulating the spread of disease.
Develop critical thinking skills by experimenting with apples to simulate the skin as a protective layer.
Organise events in time (germ theory timeline).
Develop critical thinking skills by discussing MMR vaccine data (two sides of an argument).

Unit 2 - Patterns

Content

All things are subject to classification.
There are patterns within and between classifications.
Living things can be classified using dichotomous keys.
Material can be classified as solid, liquid, or gas and are known as states of matter.
States of matter can be converted from one to the other by transfer of heat.
The Kinetic (Particle) Theory of Matter.
Evidence for the theory: Brownian motion and evaporation/condensation.
Implications of the theory: explanation of chemical reaction rate by collision.
Atomic Theory, its development and main contributors.
Atomic structure and the Periodic Table of the Elements.
A brief history of the development of Particle Theory, Atomic Theory and the Periodic Table of the Elements
Patterns in the Periodic Table of the Elements: group I & II reactivity and products: metals and non-metals: acid/alkali nature of oxides.
Patterns in large groups: the normal distribution.
Continuous and discontinuous data.
Patterns in waves in terms of frequency, wavelength, amplitude and speed.
The meaning of gradients on graphs

Skills and understanding

Interpret data in a dichotomous key.
Classify using a dichotomous key.
Construct a dichotomous key from data.
Explain phase change and the characteristics of a chemical reaction.
Explain the nature of metals and non-metals from an atomic/electron perspective.
Analyse data from graphs.
Use spreadsheets to form graphs and insert trend lines.
Make dilutions.
Record continuous streams of data time and amount of gas in a chemical reaction

Content

Force of gravity and its relation to the mass of big objects in the Solar System (Earth vs. Moon)
Acceleration and Force: how motion of objects are affected by mass and amount of force.
Mass and weight and concepts behind a gravitational field (force per unit mass, as in "g" of Earth = 10 Newtons/kilogram)
Relationship of inertia and mass.
Gravitational force between big objects, circular motion in the Solar System, orbits (elliptical, vs. circular), path
Newton's law of universal gravitation , force is proportional to mass of objects and inversely proportional to distance squared.
Space exploration impact on modern technology , benefits and costs.

Skills and understanding

Relate time and distance, resulting in speed
Apply the concept of 'gravity' as a force that changes the speed difference between mass and weight (apply F=mg), on different planets?
Visualise objects in an orbit around the earth as continuously falling
Understand the challenges of space exploration programs are related to lack of gravity and air.
Use Newton's second law:- an unbalanced force will cause an object to speed up, slow down or change direction
Use Newton's first law:- balanced forces (or no forces) will mean an object either stays at rest or continues at constant velocity.

Content

Skills and understanding

Content

Skills and understanding

Knowledge of the mechanics of breathing, the respiratory system, the circulatory system.
Skeletal and muscle system, excretory system, reproductive system, nervous system, digestive system
Systems are very much interdependent
Compare the respiratory and skeletal system of fish, insects and humans