Natural science (NAT01‑04)
Competence aims and assessment

This curriculum is no longer in force.

Examples of connections

Explanation

Competence aims after year 7

The pupil is expected to be able to

  • ask questions and formulate hypotheses about natural-science phenomena, identify variables and collect data to find answers

    Explanation of competence aims

    An independent variable is a factor that varies in an experiment, a dependent variable is a factor that can be measured, and controlled variables are factors that must be kept the same in each experiment.

  • distinguish between observations and conclusions, structure data,

    To use means to apply something or to carry out a task to reach a goal. To use, which is closely related to apply, is understood as to utilise or to employ, for example, a method or a tool.

     cause and effect arguments, draw conclusions,

    To assess means to consider different aspects of an issue or point of view. It may also include judging the quality of a product or process. An assessment often results in a decision, a judgement or a conclusion.

     sources of errors and

    To present means to show, explain and outline a topic or a product. The way of presenting may vary, but the goal of the presentation is to make the topic or product accessible to others. To present may also mean to illustrate and to demonstrate.

     findings

  • To use means to apply something or to carry out a task to reach a goal. To use, which is closely related to apply, is understood as to utilise or to employ, for example, a method or a tool.

     and

    To assess means to consider different aspects of an issue or point of view. It may also include judging the quality of a product or process. An assessment often results in a decision, a judgement or a conclusion.

     models that represent phenomena that cannot be observed directly and

    To explain something means to give a well-grounded explanation of a subject, an issue or something we wish to examine or implement.

     why models are used in natural science
  • read and

    To understand means to perceive the meaning of something, realise what is communicated or how something is connected. Understanding can be demonstrated by explaining, discussing alternatives, comparing relevant methods or assessing quality.

     hazard labelling and

    To reflect means to examine and consider different aspects of your own and others’ actions, attitudes and ideas. We may also reflect on a subject, practical activities or our own learning. Reflection means testing out our own thoughts and attitudes to develop better insight and understanding.

     on the purpose os such labelling
  • give examples of how natural-science knowledge has developed and continues to develop
  • give examples of how traditional knowledge has contributed and continues to contribute to natural-science knowledge

    Explanation of competence aims

    Traditional knowledge is also referred to as local knowledge, folk lore or traditional ecological knowledge. It is theoretical and practical knowledge that is embedded in language, work methods, experience, customs and stories, and that is developed and transferred through culture from generation to generation.

  • To explore refers to experiencing and experimenting, often encouraging curiosity and sense of wonder. To explore may mean to sense, seek, discover, observe and examine. In some cases, to explore means to investigate different aspects of an issue through open and critical discussion. To explore may also mean testing or trying out and evaluating work methods, products or equipment.

    , make and program technological systems that consist of parts that work together

    Explanation of competence aims

    The intention is that this competence aim can be connected to other competence aims.

  • design and make a product based on user needs

    Explanation of competence aims

    The intention is that this competence aim can be connected to other competence aims and programming can be part of the work with this.

  • To reflect means to examine and consider different aspects of your own and others’ actions, attitudes and ideas. We may also reflect on a subject, practical activities or our own learning. Reflection means testing out our own thoughts and attitudes to develop better insight and understanding.

     on how technology can solve challenges, create opportunities and lead to new dilemmas

  • To explore refers to experiencing and experimenting, often encouraging curiosity and sense of wonder. To explore may mean to sense, seek, discover, observe and examine. In some cases, to explore means to investigate different aspects of an issue through open and critical discussion. To explore may also mean testing or trying out and evaluating work methods, products or equipment.

     phase transitions and chemical reactions and

    To describe means to portray or recount an experience, situation, work process or a topic. To describe something may also refer to using relevant terminology to systematise knowledge of a topic.

     their properties

  • To use means to apply something or to carry out a task to reach a goal. To use, which is closely related to apply, is understood as to utilise or to employ, for example, a method or a tool.

     the particle model to explain phase transitions and the properties of solids, liquids and gases

    Explanation of competence aims

    The particle model is a simple model used to describe all material. It can be used to describe physical and chemical phenomena at the micro-level.

  • To explore refers to experiencing and experimenting, often encouraging curiosity and sense of wonder. To explore may mean to sense, seek, discover, observe and examine. In some cases, to explore means to investigate different aspects of an issue through open and critical discussion. To explore may also mean testing or trying out and evaluating work methods, products or equipment.

     electric and magnetic forces through experiments and talk about how we exploit electric energy in everyday life

  • To explain something means to give a well-grounded explanation of a subject, an issue or something we wish to examine or implement.

     how organisms can be divided into main groups and give examples of the special features of different organisms

    Explanation of competence aims

    The main groups are seen as categories of organisms that share important characteristics.

  • To explain something means to give a well-grounded explanation of a subject, an issue or something we wish to examine or implement.

     the importance of biological diversity and

    To implement means to initiate, carry out and complete, for example an assignment, a study or planned work.

     measures to protect biological diversity in the local community
  • propose measures to preserve biological diversity in northern areas and give examples of the importance of traditional knowledge in nature management

    Explanation of competence aims

    "Northern areas" refers to nature areas that are north of the Arctic circle.

  • To explore refers to experiencing and experimenting, often encouraging curiosity and sense of wonder. To explore may mean to sense, seek, discover, observe and examine. In some cases, to explore means to investigate different aspects of an issue through open and critical discussion. To explore may also mean testing or trying out and evaluating work methods, products or equipment.

     and

    To describe means to portray or recount an experience, situation, work process or a topic. To describe something may also refer to using relevant terminology to systematise knowledge of a topic.

     different food cycles and

    To use means to apply something or to carry out a task to reach a goal. To use, which is closely related to apply, is understood as to utilise or to employ, for example, a method or a tool.

     this to discuss synergy in nature

  • To describe means to portray or recount an experience, situation, work process or a topic. To describe something may also refer to using relevant terminology to systematise knowledge of a topic.

     and visualise how day and night, moon phases and seasons arise and talk about the effect on life on Earth

  • To explain something means to give a well-grounded explanation of a subject, an issue or something we wish to examine or implement.

     the conditions for life on Earth and

    To compare means to examine the character or qualities to discover resemblances or differences between two or more issues.

     these to other celestial bodies in the universe

  • To explain something means to give a well-grounded explanation of a subject, an issue or something we wish to examine or implement.

     how the geological cycle, plate tectonics and external forces help shape and change different landscapes

  • To explain something means to give a well-grounded explanation of a subject, an issue or something we wish to examine or implement.

     physical and mental changes during puberty and talk about how these can affect emotions, actions and sexuality

  • To describe means to portray or recount an experience, situation, work process or a topic. To describe something may also refer to using relevant terminology to systematise knowledge of a topic.

     some of the body’s organ systems and

    To describe means to portray or recount an experience, situation, work process or a topic. To describe something may also refer to using relevant terminology to systematise knowledge of a topic.

     how the systems work together

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 Years 5, 6 and 7 when they assess and use relevant subject-related terminology and models to explore, describe and explain natural-science phenomena. They also demonstrate and develop competence when they choose methods, explore and reflect on technology and other natural-science topics and assess their findings and results.

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 have the opportunity to express what they believe they have achieved and reflect on what they believe they have improved on. 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.