Science at key stage 3    (Year 7)

In this unit pupils:

• are introduced to the concept of energy in the context of fuels as convenient and therefore valuable sources
• consider the nature and origin of fossil fuels and renewable sources of energy and how their use has implications for the environment
• consolidate and extend their ideas about energy resources for living things: food for people and sunlight for plants
• link the energy resources to the role of the Sun as the ultimate source of most of the Earth's energy resources

In scientific enquiry pupils:

• recognise hazards and take safety precautions
• decide what variables are relevant and how to control these to make fair comparisons
• consider the reasons for repeating measurements and observations
• use the Bunsen burner and thermometers safely and effectively
• make measurements of volume, mass and temperature
• investigate the energy resource in foods, controlling relevant variables

This unit is expected to take approximately 9 hours.

This unit provides an introduction to energy through the idea of foods and fuels as energy resources. The term 'resource' is used in preference to 'source' to try to encourage the idea that energy is not just a kind of stuff, like fuel. Energy transfer is associated with change, in particular changes that can perform useful tasks, as a first step towards more formal understanding. This enables pupils to make connections between apparently disparate phenomena, as contexts are drawn from across the sciences, eg burning fuel, movement, eating food and plant growth. Pupils can begin to distinguish energy from stuff (the energy resource) and from linked concepts, eg force, power (the rate of transferring energy) and activity. A common misconception is that activity gives you energy because it makes you healthier - and so more able to do more activity.