Curriculum Relevance

Science

England

Key Stage 3 Science

The Earth and Beyond

4. Pupils should be taught:

The Solar System

• how the movement of the Earth causes the apparent daily and annual movement of the Sun and other stars
• the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets in the Solar System
• about the movements of planets around the Sun and to relate these to gravitational forces
• that the Sun and other stars are light sources and that the planets and other bodies are seen by reflected light
• about the use of artificial satellites and probes to observe the Earth and to explore the solar system

Breadth of Study

1. During Key Stage 3, pupils should be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding through:

• a range of domestic, industrial and environmental contexts
• considering ways in which science is applied in technological developments
• considering the benefits and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments, including those related to the environment, health and quality of life
• using a range of sources of information, including ICT-based sources
• using first-hand and secondary data to carry out a range of scientific investigations, including complete investigations
• using quantitative approaches where appropriate, including calculations based on simple relationships between physical quantities

Wales

Key Stage 3 Science

4. The Earth and Beyond

Pupils should be taught:

Movements of Satellites

• that the apparent daily and annual movement of the Sun and other stars is caused by the movement of the Earth
• that the orbital time for a planet or satellite depends on its distance from the Sun or Earth, and that this movement is determined by gravitational force
• that artificial satellites can be used to observe the Earth and to explore the Solar System
• that the Sun and other stars are light sources and that planets and other bodies are seen by scattered light

Northern Ireland

Key Stage 4 Single and Double Science

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Pupils should have opportunities to:

• know some uses of radio waves, microwaves, infrared and visible light in communications

Earth in Space

Pupils should have opportunities to:

• learn that gravitational forces determine the motion of planets, moons, satellites and comets
• consider the possibilities and limitations of space travel

Scotland

Standard Grade Physics

Unit 1: Telecommunication

(1.4) Transmission of Radio Waves

Transmission and Reception

Pupils should be able to:

• state that mobile phones, radio and television are examples of long-range communication that do not need cables

Satellites, Geostationary Satellites and Ground Stations

Pupils should be able to:

• describe an application of curved reflectors used in telecommunications

Geography

England

Key Stage 3 Geography

2. In developing geographical skills, pupils should be taught:

• to use an extended geographical vocabulary (for example, drainage basin, urban regeneration)
• to select and use appropriate fieldwork techniques (for example, land-use survey, data-logging) and instruments (for example, cameras)
• to use atlases and globes, and maps and plans at a range of scales, including Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 maps
• to select and use secondary sources of evidence (including vertical and oblique aerial photographs), satellite images and evidence from ICT-based sources (for example, from the Internet)
• to draw maps and plans at a range of scales, using symbols, keys and scales (for example, annotated sketch maps) and to select and use appropriate graphical techniques to present evidence on maps and diagrams (for example, pie charts, choropleth maps), including using ICT (for example, using mapping software to plot the distribution of shops and services in a town centre)
• to communicate in different ways, including using ICT (for example, by writing a report about an environmental issue, exchanging fieldwork data using email)
• decision-making skills, including using ICT (for example, by using a spreadsheet to help find the best location for a superstore)