Year 10 Science — Goals for Learning

To enable students to:

• extend their scientific reasoning and apply models (e.g., Bohr model, energy diagrams, motion graphs) to explain observable phenomena
• interpret and use chemical formulas and balanced equations to describe reactions more precisely
• predict element reactivity using the periodic table and understand atomic structure, ions, and bonding
• investigate rates of reaction and the factors that influence them
• apply the law of conservation of energy and calculate energy efficiency in everyday systems
• compare transverse and longitudinal waves, interpret wave measurements, and explain light behaviour (reflection, refraction, absorption, scattering)
• analyse forces using Newton’s laws, calculate net force and acceleration, and interpret velocity–time graphs
• understand pressure in fluids and explain real-world applications
• investigate global systems, including climate processes, greenhouse gases, and how human activity affects Earth systems
• explore astronomical concepts such as gravity, the scale of the universe, light years, and the Big Bang, using evidence from models and observations
• deepen understanding of genetics, exploring how protein production, gene activity, and environment shape traits
• analyse disease transmission, immunity, vaccines, and public health strategies
• explain homeostasis, hormonal control, and nervous system responses using stimulus–response models
• evaluate ecological data, understand species interactions, and investigate the impact of human activity on ecosystems and biodiversity

Year 10 students study the following topic areas:

• Matter & Atomic Structure: Bohr model, subatomic particles, ions, bonding
• Periodic Table: trends, reactivity patterns
• Chemical Reactions: balanced equations, displacement, precipitation, combustion
• Rates of Reaction: temperature, concentration, surface area, catalysts
• Energy: conservation, efficiency, energy flow diagrams
• Waves: EM spectrum, frequency & wavelength, refraction
• Motion & Forces: Newton’s laws, net force, acceleration, graphs
• Fluids: pressure, upthrust, depth relationships
• Earth Systems: carbon cycle, greenhouse gases, climate change
• Space Science: gravity, universe expansion, Big Bang
• Genetics & Variation: DNA, genes, proteins, polygenic traits
• Disease & Immunity: pathogens, immune responses, vaccines
• Body Systems: homeostasis, hormones, nervous system
• Ecosystems: nutrient cycles, biodiversity, human impacts