Developed in association with the BBC Science Clips TV series, the simulations are closely linked to the QCA Schemes of Work for Science. Pupils are provided with the opportunity to select variables, control time and to view the results of their experiments as animations and/or dynamically generated tables, graphs and diagrams. Several of the simulations also have a Multi-sim feature that allows pupils to make direct comparisons by running two versions of a simulation concurrently.
Learning objectives featured
Electrical Circuits
suggest ways of changing the brightness of a bulb in a circuit
draw circuit diagrams and construct circuits from diagrams using conventional symbols
set up a circuit which can be used to investigate an idea and to use knowledge about electrical conductors and insulators to answer questions about circuits
investigate how the brightness of bulbs, or speed of motors, in a circuit can be changed
understand that care needs to be taken when components in a circuit are changed to ensure bulbs/motors do not burn out
summarise ways in which the brightness of bulbs or speed of motors can be changed
investigate how the brightness of bulbs in a circuit can be changed by changing wires in a circuit
Change of state
know that liquids evaporate to form gases
understand processes associated with water changing state and recognise that these processes can be reversed
identify the process which takes place when water vapour turns to a liquid as condensation
recognise that simply heating water at its boiling point will not result in it getting hotter
that melting, freezing, condensing and evaporating are all changes of state which can be reversed
investigate how heating and cooling some materials can cause them to change
Force and friction
know that force is measured in Newtons
describe some situations in which there is more than one force acting on an object
present measurements in simple line graphs |
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Helping plants grow well
explain how to carry out a fair test to find the conditions necessary for germination (light, warmth, water, soil)
know that a green plant needs light and water to grow well and that it produces food from air and water
suggest why fertilisers are needed
understand that plants take in nutrients as well as water through their roots
Exercise and Health
recognise that during exercise the heart beats faster to take blood more rapidly to the muscles
make careful measurements of pulse rate, represent these in suitable graphs and explain what the graphs show
understand that when we exercise, our muscles work harder
repeat measurements of pulse rate
identify factors which could affect pulse rate and make predictions about the changes
present results in a line graph and explain what these show and whether they support the prediction
Food webs
explain that living things need to reproduce if the species is to survive
understand that if living things did not reproduce they would eventually die out
represent feeding relationships in food chains beginning with a green plant, understanding that food chains can be used to represent feeding relationships in a habitat
know that some animals feed on other animals and some on plants
observe how animals and plants in a local habitat are interdependent
know that food chains begin with a plant (the producer)
Light and shadows
recognise that light travels from a source, that when it is blocked, a shadow is formed
investigate how to change the size of a shadow