Natural Science subject curriculum (NAT1-03)

Competence aims after Year Level 10

The budding researcher

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• formulate testable hypotheses, plan and undertake hypothesis testing and discuss observations and results from trials in a report
• gather and process natural science data, perform calculations and present the results in a graphic manner
• write explanatory and argumentative texts with references to relevant sources, evaluate the quality of one’s own texts and those of others making appropriate revisions
• explain the importance of looking for relationships between cause and effect and explain why argumentation, disagreement and publication are important in natural science
• identify natural science arguments, facts and assertions in texts and visual information from newspapers, brochures and other forms of media and evaluate the content of these in a critical manner
• comply with safety measures as described in environment, health and safety (EHS) routines and risk assessments

Diversity in nature

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• explain the main features of the theory of evolution and give an account of observations that support this theory
• describe the structure of animal and plant cells and explain the main characteristics of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• elaborate on cell division and genetic variation and heritage
• explain the main characteristics of theories on how the earth is changing and has changed over the eons and the underpinning of these theories
• investigate and register biotic and abiotic factors in a local ecosystem and explain the relationship between these factors
• observe and provide examples of how human activities have affected a nature area, investigate the views of different interest groups on these effects and propose measures that might preserve nature for future generations
• give examples of how Sami people exploit resources in nature

Body and health

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• describe the nervous system and the endocrine system and explain how these control body processes
• provide a short description of fetal development and how birth occurs
• formulate assertions and discuss and elaborate on problems related to sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, setting limits and respect, sexually transferrable diseases, prevention and abortion
• explain how one’s own lifestyle can influence health, including dieting and eating disorders, compare information from different sources and discuss how one can prevent health risks
• provide examples of folk medicine, including Sami folk medicine, and discuss the difference between alternative medicine and academic medicine

Phenomena and substances

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• describe the universe and different theories of how it has developed
• investigate a theme from exploring the outer space; compare and present information from different sources
• assess characteristics of elements and compounds using the periodic table
• examine the properties of some substances used in everyday life and make simple calculations related to diluting solutions
• examine and classify pure substances and compounds based on solubility in water, combustion, acidity and basicity
• plan and carry out experiments with detection reactions, separation of substances in a mixture and analysis of an unknown substance
• examine hydrocarbons, alcohols, carboxylic acids and carbohydrates, describe the substances and give examples of their fabrication and areas of use
• explain how crude oil and natural gas have come about
• use terms such as current, voltage, resistance, output and induction to explain results from experiments with electrical circuits
• explain how we can produce electrical energy from renewable and non-renewable energy sources and discuss the environmental effects that arise from different ways of producing energy
• elaborate on the concepts of velocity and acceleration, measure magnitudes using simple aids and give examples of how power is connected to acceleration
• carry out experiments and simple calculations with work, energy and output
• elaborate on how traffic safety equipment prevents and reduces injuries in accidents
• carry out experiments with light, vision and colour;describe and explain results

Technology and design

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• develop products based on specifications that use electronics, evaluate the design process and assess product functionality, user friendliness and sustainable development
• test and describe the characteristics of materials used in a production process and evaluate the use of materials from an environmental standpoint
• describe an electronic communication system, explain how information is transferred from sender to recipient and give an account of the positive and negative consequences related to this system