Natural science subject curriculum (NAT1-02)

Competence aims after Year 10

The budding researcher

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• plan and carry out experiments to test the validity of his or her own hypotheses and choose the publication method
• keep records during experiments and fieldwork and present reports using digital aids
• explain the importance of looking for relationships between cause and effect and explain why argumentation, disagreement and publication are important in natural science
• demonstrate protective and safety equipment and comply with fundamental safety procedures in natural science classes

Diversity in nature

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• 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 evolutionary theory and the underpinning of this theory
• explain the main characteristics of theories on how the earth is changing and has changed throughout all time and the underpinning of these theories
• elaborate on which biotic and abiotic factors are part of an ecosystem and explain the relationship between the factors
• observe and provide examples of how human activities have affected a nature area, identify the views of different interest groups on the 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

• discuss elaborate on problems and issues in connection with sexuality, different sexual orientation, contraception, abortion and sexually transmittable diseases
• explain how the human body protects itself against disease
• describe how to prevent and treat infectious diseases
• describe how hormones control different body processes
• explain how the nervous system and the hormone system control body processes
• describe the development of a foetus and how birth occurs
• elaborate on how lifestyles may lead to disease and injury and how this may be prevented
• provide examples of popular medicine, including Sami popular medicine, and discuss the difference between complementary medicine and academic medicine
• elaborate on how the use of intoxicant substances may lead to health damage and discuss how individuals and society may prevent health damage

The universe

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• describe the universe and different theories of how it has developed
• provide an overview of technological equipment used for the exploration of space
• present the main features of the history of space travel and talk about research that determines the possibility of life on other planets
• describe the apparent motion of the planets across the sky using animations and explain how solar and lunar eclipses and seasons come about

Phenomena and substances/elements

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• assess characteristics of elements and compounds using the periodic table
• carry out experiments to classify acidic and alkaline substances
• examine the chemical properties of some common everyday substances
• plan and carry out experiments with detection reactions, separation of substances in a mixture and analysis of an unknown substance
• carry out experiments with and describe hydrocarbons, alcohols and carboxylic acid and some common carbohydrates
• explain how crude oil and natural gas have come about and how these substances are used
• explain results from experiments with electrical circuits using terms such as current, voltage, resistance, output and induction
• explain how we can produce electrical power from renewable and non-renewable sources of 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 the 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 and user friendliness
• test and describe characteristics of materials used in a production process
• elaborate on electronic communication systems on the system level and discuss and elaborate on societal challenges in connection with using these