🔬 Science – Key Stage 3

Years 7-9

Aims

The principal focus of science teaching in key stage 3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils should begin to see the connections between these subject areas and become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding. Examples of these big ideas are the links between structure and function in living organisms, the particulate model as the key to understanding the properties and interactions of matter in all its forms, and the resources and means of transfer of energy as key determinants of all of these interactions. They should be encouraged to relate scientific explanations to phenomena in the world around them and start to use modelling and abstract ideas to develop and evaluate explanations.

Key Stage 3

Working scientifically18 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

SC-KS3-00-WS-01pay attention to objectivity and concern for accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility
SC-KS3-00-WS-02understand that scientific methods and theories develop as earlier explanations are modified to take account of new evidence and ideas, together with the importance of publishing results and peer review
SC-KS3-00-WS-03evaluate risks
SC-KS3-00-WS-04ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience
SC-KS3-00-WS-05make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
SC-KS3-00-WS-06select, plan and carry out the most appropriate types of scientific enquiries to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables
SC-KS3-00-WS-07use appropriate techniques, apparatus, and materials during fieldwork and laboratory work, paying attention to health and safety
SC-KS3-00-WS-08make and record observations and measurements using a range of methods for different investigations; and evaluate the reliability of methods and suggest possible improvements
SC-KS3-00-WS-09apply sampling techniques
SC-KS3-00-WS-10apply mathematical concepts and calculate results
SC-KS3-00-WS-11present observations and data using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs
SC-KS3-00-WS-12interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations, measurements and data to draw conclusions
SC-KS3-00-WS-13present reasoned explanations, including explaining data in relation to predictions and hypotheses
SC-KS3-00-WS-14evaluate data, showing awareness of potential sources of random and systematic error
SC-KS3-00-WS-15identify further questions arising from their results
SC-KS3-00-WS-16understand and use SI units and IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) chemical nomenclature
SC-KS3-00-WS-17use and derive simple equations and carry out appropriate calculations
SC-KS3-00-WS-18undertake basic data analysis including simple statistical techniques

Biology39 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

SC-KS3-00-BIO-01cells as the fundamental unit of living organisms, including how to observe, interpret and record cell structure using a light microscope
SC-KS3-00-BIO-02the functions of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole, mitochondria and chloroplasts
SC-KS3-00-BIO-03the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells
SC-KS3-00-BIO-04the role of diffusion in the movement of materials in and between cells
SC-KS3-00-BIO-05the structural adaptations of some unicellular organisms
SC-KS3-00-BIO-06the hierarchical organisation of multicellular organisms: from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms
SC-KS3-00-BIO-07the structure and functions of the human skeleton, to include support, protection, movement and making blood cells
SC-KS3-00-BIO-08biomechanics - the interaction between skeleton and muscles, including the measurement of force exerted by different muscles
SC-KS3-00-BIO-09the function of muscles and examples of antagonistic muscles
SC-KS3-00-BIO-10the content of a healthy human diet: carbohydrates, lipids (fats and oils), proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water, and why each is needed
SC-KS3-00-BIO-11calculations of energy requirements in a healthy daily diet
SC-KS3-00-BIO-12the consequences of imbalances in the diet, including obesity, starvation and deficiency diseases
SC-KS3-00-BIO-13the tissues and organs of the human digestive system, including adaptations to function and how the digestive system digests food (enzymes simply as biological catalysts)
SC-KS3-00-BIO-14the importance of bacteria in the human digestive system
SC-KS3-00-BIO-15plants making carbohydrates in their leaves by photosynthesis and gaining mineral nutrients and water from the soil via their roots
SC-KS3-00-BIO-16the structure and functions of the gas exchange system in humans, including adaptations to function
SC-KS3-00-BIO-17the mechanism of breathing to move air in and out of the lungs, using a pressure model to explain the movement of gases, including simple measurements of lung volume
SC-KS3-00-BIO-18the impact of exercise, asthma and smoking on the human gas exchange system
SC-KS3-00-BIO-19the role of leaf stomata in gas exchange in plants
SC-KS3-00-BIO-20reproduction in humans (as an example of a mammal), including the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems, menstrual cycle (without details of hormones), gametes, fertilisation, gestation and birth, to include the effect of maternal lifestyle on the foetus through the placenta
SC-KS3-00-BIO-21reproduction in plants, including flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal, including quantitative investigation of some dispersal mechanisms
SC-KS3-00-BIO-22the effects of recreational drugs (including substance misuse) on behaviour, health and life processes
SC-KS3-00-BIO-23the reactants in, and products of, photosynthesis, and a word summary for photosynthesis
SC-KS3-00-BIO-24the dependence of almost all life on Earth on the ability of photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and algae, to use sunlight in photosynthesis to build organic molecules that are an essential energy store and to maintain levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
SC-KS3-00-BIO-25the adaptations of leaves for photosynthesis
SC-KS3-00-BIO-26aerobic and anaerobic respiration in living organisms, including the breakdown of organic molecules to enable all the other chemical processes necessary for life
SC-KS3-00-BIO-27a word summary for aerobic respiration
SC-KS3-00-BIO-28the process of anaerobic respiration in humans and micro-organisms, including fermentation, and a word summary for anaerobic respiration
SC-KS3-00-BIO-29the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of the reactants, the products formed and the implications for the organism
SC-KS3-00-BIO-30the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops
SC-KS3-00-BIO-31the importance of plant reproduction through insect pollination in human food security
SC-KS3-00-BIO-32how organisms affect, and are affected by, their environment, including the accumulation of toxic materials
SC-KS3-00-BIO-33heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next
SC-KS3-00-BIO-34a simple model of chromosomes, genes and DNA in heredity, including the part played by Watson, Crick, Wilkins and Franklin in the development of the DNA model
SC-KS3-00-BIO-35differences between species
SC-KS3-00-BIO-36the variation between individuals within a species being continuous or discontinuous, to include measurement and graphical representation of variation
SC-KS3-00-BIO-37the variation between species and between individuals of the same species meaning some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection
SC-KS3-00-BIO-38changes in the environment which may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction
SC-KS3-00-BIO-39the importance of maintaining biodiversity and the use of gene banks to preserve hereditary material

Chemistry36 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

SC-KS3-00-CHE-01the properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure
SC-KS3-00-CHE-02changes of state in terms of the particle model
SC-KS3-00-CHE-03a simple (Dalton) atomic model
SC-KS3-00-CHE-04differences between atoms, elements and compounds
SC-KS3-00-CHE-05chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds
SC-KS3-00-CHE-06conservation of mass changes of state and chemical reactions
SC-KS3-00-CHE-07the concept of a pure substance
SC-KS3-00-CHE-08mixtures, including dissolving
SC-KS3-00-CHE-09diffusion in terms of the particle model
SC-KS3-00-CHE-10simple techniques for separating mixtures: filtration, evaporation, distillation and chromatography
SC-KS3-00-CHE-11the identification of pure substances
SC-KS3-00-CHE-12chemical reactions as the rearrangement of atoms
SC-KS3-00-CHE-13representing chemical reactions using formulae and using equations
SC-KS3-00-CHE-14combustion, thermal decomposition, oxidation and displacement reactions
SC-KS3-00-CHE-15defining acids and alkalis in terms of neutralisation reactions
SC-KS3-00-CHE-16the pH scale for measuring acidity/alkalinity; and indicators
SC-KS3-00-CHE-17reactions of acids with metals to produce a salt plus hydrogen
SC-KS3-00-CHE-18reactions of acids with alkalis to produce a salt plus water
SC-KS3-00-CHE-19what catalysts do
SC-KS3-00-CHE-20energy changes on changes of state (qualitative)
SC-KS3-00-CHE-21exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (qualitative)
SC-KS3-00-CHE-22the varying physical and chemical properties of different elements
SC-KS3-00-CHE-23the principles underpinning the Mendeleev periodic table
SC-KS3-00-CHE-24the periodic table: periods and groups; metals and non-metals
SC-KS3-00-CHE-25how patterns in reactions can be predicted with reference to the periodic table
SC-KS3-00-CHE-26the properties of metals and non-metals
SC-KS3-00-CHE-27the chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides with respect to acidity
SC-KS3-00-CHE-28the order of metals and carbon in the reactivity series
SC-KS3-00-CHE-29the use of carbon in obtaining metals from metal oxides
SC-KS3-00-CHE-30properties of ceramics, polymers and composites (qualitative)
SC-KS3-00-CHE-31the composition of the Earth
SC-KS3-00-CHE-32the structure of the Earth
SC-KS3-00-CHE-33the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
SC-KS3-00-CHE-34Earth as a source of limited resources and the efficacy of recycling
SC-KS3-00-CHE-35the composition of the atmosphere
SC-KS3-00-CHE-36the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate

Physics62 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

SC-KS3-00-PHY-01comparing energy values of different foods (from labels) (kJ)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-02comparing power ratings of appliances in watts (W, kW)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-03comparing amounts of energy transferred (J, kJ, kW hour)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-04domestic fuel bills, fuel use and costs
SC-KS3-00-PHY-05fuels and energy resources
SC-KS3-00-PHY-06simple machines give bigger force but at the expense of smaller movement (and vice versa): product of force and displacement unchanged
SC-KS3-00-PHY-07heating and thermal equilibrium: temperature difference between 2 objects leading to energy transfer from the hotter to the cooler one, through contact (conduction) or radiation; such transfers tending to reduce the temperature difference; use of insulators
SC-KS3-00-PHY-08other processes that involve energy transfer: changing motion, dropping an object, completing an electrical circuit, stretching a spring, metabolism of food, burning fuels
SC-KS3-00-PHY-09energy as a quantity that can be quantified and calculated; the total energy has the same value before and after a change
SC-KS3-00-PHY-10comparing the starting with the final conditions of a system and describing increases and decreases in the amounts of energy associated with movements, temperatures, changes in positions in a field, in elastic distortions and in chemical compositions
SC-KS3-00-PHY-11using physical processes and mechanisms, rather than energy, to explain the intermediate steps that bring about such changes
SC-KS3-00-PHY-12speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed = distance ÷ time)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-13the representation of a journey on a distance-time graph
SC-KS3-00-PHY-14relative motion: trains and cars passing one another
SC-KS3-00-PHY-15forces as pushes or pulls, arising from the interaction between 2 objects
SC-KS3-00-PHY-16using force arrows in diagrams, adding forces in 1 dimension, balanced and unbalanced forces
SC-KS3-00-PHY-17moment as the turning effect of a force
SC-KS3-00-PHY-18forces: associated with deforming objects; stretching and squashing - springs; with rubbing and friction between surfaces, with pushing things out of the way; resistance to motion of air and water
SC-KS3-00-PHY-19forces measured in newtons, measurements of stretch or compression as force is changed
SC-KS3-00-PHY-20force-extension linear relation; Hooke's Law as a special case
SC-KS3-00-PHY-21work done and energy changes on deformation
SC-KS3-00-PHY-22non-contact forces: gravity forces acting at a distance on Earth and in space, forces between magnets, and forces due to static electricity
SC-KS3-00-PHY-23atmospheric pressure, decreases with increase of height as weight of air above decreases with height
SC-KS3-00-PHY-24pressure in liquids, increasing with depth; upthrust effects, floating and sinking
SC-KS3-00-PHY-25pressure measured by ratio of force over area - acting normal to any surface
SC-KS3-00-PHY-26opposing forces and equilibrium: weight held by stretched spring or supported on a compressed surface
SC-KS3-00-PHY-27forces being needed to cause objects to stop or start moving, or to change their speed or direction of motion (qualitative only)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-28change depending on direction of force and its size
SC-KS3-00-PHY-29waves on water as undulations which travel through water with transverse motion; these waves can be reflected, and add or cancel - superposition
SC-KS3-00-PHY-30frequencies of sound waves, measured in hertz (Hz); echoes, reflection and absorption of sound
SC-KS3-00-PHY-31sound needs a medium to travel, the speed of sound in air, in water, in solids
SC-KS3-00-PHY-32sound produced by vibrations of objects, in loudspeakers, detected by their effects on microphone diaphragm and the ear drum; sound waves are longitudinal
SC-KS3-00-PHY-33the auditory range of humans and animals
SC-KS3-00-PHY-34pressure waves transferring energy; use for cleaning and physiotherapy by ultrasound; waves transferring information for conversion to electrical signals by microphone
SC-KS3-00-PHY-35the similarities and differences between light waves and waves in matter
SC-KS3-00-PHY-36light waves travelling through a vacuum; speed of light
SC-KS3-00-PHY-37the transmission of light through materials: absorption, diffuse scattering and specular reflection at a surface
SC-KS3-00-PHY-38use of ray model to explain imaging in mirrors, the pinhole camera, the refraction of light and action of convex lens in focusing (qualitative); the human eye
SC-KS3-00-PHY-39light transferring energy from source to absorber, leading to chemical and electrical effects; photosensitive material in the retina and in cameras
SC-KS3-00-PHY-40colours and the different frequencies of light, white light and prisms (qualitative only); differential colour effects in absorption and diffuse reflection
SC-KS3-00-PHY-41electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, currents add where branches meet and current as flow of charge
SC-KS3-00-PHY-42potential difference, measured in volts, battery and bulb ratings; resistance, measured in ohms, as the ratio of potential difference (p.d.) to current
SC-KS3-00-PHY-43differences in resistance between conducting and insulating components (quantitative)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-44separation of positive or negative charges when objects are rubbed together: transfer of electrons, forces between charged objects
SC-KS3-00-PHY-45the idea of electric field, forces acting across the space between objects not in contact
SC-KS3-00-PHY-46magnetic poles, attraction and repulsion
SC-KS3-00-PHY-47magnetic fields by plotting with compass, representation by field lines
SC-KS3-00-PHY-48Earth's magnetism, compass and navigation
SC-KS3-00-PHY-49the magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, DC motors (principles only)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-50conservation of material and of mass, and reversibility, in melting, freezing, evaporation, sublimation, condensation, dissolving
SC-KS3-00-PHY-51similarities and differences, including density differences, between solids, liquids and gases
SC-KS3-00-PHY-52Brownian motion in gases
SC-KS3-00-PHY-53diffusion in liquids and gases driven by differences in concentration
SC-KS3-00-PHY-54the difference between chemical and physical changes
SC-KS3-00-PHY-55the differences in arrangements, in motion and in closeness of particles explaining changes of state, shape and density; the anomaly of ice-water transition
SC-KS3-00-PHY-56atoms and molecules as particles
SC-KS3-00-PHY-57changes with temperature in motion and spacing of particles
SC-KS3-00-PHY-58internal energy stored in materials
SC-KS3-00-PHY-59gravity force, weight = mass x gravitational field strength (g), on Earth g=10 N/kg, different on other planets and stars; gravity forces between Earth and Moon, and between Earth and sun (qualitative only)
SC-KS3-00-PHY-60our sun as a star, other stars in our galaxy, other galaxies
SC-KS3-00-PHY-61the seasons and the Earth's tilt, day length at different times of year, in different hemispheres
SC-KS3-00-PHY-62the light year as a unit of astronomical distance

Practise Science with free games

These games are aligned to the Science national curriculum objectives above.

Science Quiz

Science

Circuit Rescue

Electricity

Food Web Frenzy

Living Things & Ecosystems

Content sourced from the Science programmes of study, Department for Education, published September 2013. Crown copyright. Each objective carries a reference code (e.g. SC-KS3-...) for identification. Verify any objective by searching the GOV.UK source page linked above. Last verified against GOV.UK: April 2026. About this data