Natural science (NAT01‑04)
Competence aims and assessment
Competence aims after vg1 programmes for general studies
The pupil is expected to be able to
- explore a self-chosen natural-science research question, present findings and argue for the choice of methods
- carry out risk assessment of one’s own experiments and manage the resulting waste in a suitable manner
- discuss how the development of natural-science hypotheses, models and theories helps us to understand and explain the world
- assess and make programs that model natural-science phenomena
- explore and describe some central wave phenomena
- explain the main principles of wireless communication and give examples of applications of this technology
- explore and describe electromagnetic and ionising radiation and assess information about radiation and the effect on health of various types of radiation
- describe the Big Bang theory, and the origin and development of the universe, and explain observations that support this theory
- explore and explain the connections between chemical bonds and the properties of different substances
- explore the properties and reactions of some organic and inorganic carbon compounds, give examples of applications and explain the importance of carbon for life on Earth
- explain how some environmental toxins can accumulate in food chains and assess measures to protect health and the environment
- explain the functions of some nutrients and discuss why a varied diet is important in a health and sustainability perspective
- discuss current health and lifestyle issues and assess the reliability of information from various sources
- describe DNA and how characteristics are inherited and explain how heredity is a precondition for evolution
- explain how climate changes affect evolution, the prevalence of species and biological diversity
- give examples of the use of biotechnology and discuss ethical questions related to biotechnology
Formative assessment
Formative assessment shall help to promote learning and develop competence in the subject. The pupils demonstrate and develop competence in natural science in the vg1 programme for general studies when they use subject-related terminology, theories and models to explore, describe, explain and discuss relationships in and between natural-science phenomena. They also demonstrate and develop competence when they argue for the choice of methods, undertake ethical and safety assessments, reflect on findings and critically assess sources and information relating to their explorations and experiments. They also demonstrate and develop competence when they apply and reflect on natural-science practices and approaches and natural-science technology.
The teacher shall facilitate for pupil participation and stimulate their desire to learn by facilitating for varied, practical and exploratory ways of working. The teacher and pupils shall engage in dialogue about their development in natural science. The pupils shall be given the opportunity to explore and experiment. With the competence the pupils have demonstrated as the starting point, they shall be given the opportunity to express what they believe they have achieved, and reflect on their development in the subject. The teacher shall provide guidance on further learning and adapt the teaching to enable the pupils to use the guidance to develop their competence in natural science.
Assessment of coursework
The grade awarded for coursework shall reflect the overall competence of the pupil in natural science after completing vg1 in the programme for general studies. The teacher shall plan and facilitate for the pupils to demonstrate their competence in different ways, including through understanding, reflection and deliberation, and in various contexts. The teacher shall award a grade in natural science based on the competence demonstrated by the pupil when the pupil has communicated knowledge about and understanding of the content of the subject and has seen interconnections. The grade shall also be based on the competence demonstrated by the pupil when working in a practical and exploratory manner.