Students recall key words and their scientific use, and describe similarities,
differences and changes in the phenomena they observe. They use simple
scientific ideas with evidence to link cause and effect. They recognise and
explain the purpose of a variety of scientific developments in their everyday
lives.
Students describe some phenomena related to the topic being studied,
drawing on scientific knowledge and understanding, using appropriate
terminology. They recognise that evidence can support or refute scientific
ideas. They recognise some applications and implications of science.
Students describe processes and phenomena related to the topic being
studied, drawing on more abstract ideas and using appropriate scientific
terminology. They explain processes and phenomena in more than one step or
using a model. They recognise the roles of evidence and creative thinking in
the development of scientific ideas, and describe applications and implications
of science.
Students describe processes and phenomena related to the topic being
studied, using abstract ideas and appropriate terminology. They take account
of a number of factors in their explanations, and use abstract ideas or models
to support an argument. They apply and use knowledge and understanding in
different or unfamiliar contexts. They explain the importance of some
applications and implications of science.
Students describe a wide range of processes and phenomena both related to
the topic being studied and drawn from other areas of the curriculum. They
make links between different areas of science in their explanations. They
apply and use more abstract knowledge and understanding in a range of
contexts. They link areas of science and ideas in a creative or innovative
fashion to produce a hypothesis or explanation.
Students demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding. They
interpret, evaluate and synthesise data and concrete and abstract concepts
from a range of sources and in a range of contexts, and show creative thinking
in how they apply their knowledge. They are prepared to challenge ideas
presented to them as facts, and they apply the scientific method consistently
in developing and testing their own hypotheses, including recognising the
need continually to re-evaluate and improve theories and experiments. They
describe and explain the importance of a wide range of applications and
implications of science.