Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Form 4 School Syllabus - Science

This syllabus is based on the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) Integrated Science syllabus, which is likely the foundation for the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines version. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of science relevant to everyday life, integrating perspectives from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science. The focus is on developing scientific literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, enabling students to navigate an increasingly technological world and contribute to sustainable development.

Module 1: Working Like a Scientist

This module explores the nature of science, its relationship with technology, and essential scientific skills.

• Science and Technology: Differentiating between science (tools for developing technology) and technology (the application of science). Discussing the importance of safety in various environments (home, school, community) and recognizing common safety symbols (corrosive, radioactive, flammable, explosive, harmful, poisonous, danger). Understanding how scientists work (observe, experiment, measure, record, interpret, share findings) and applying the scientific method to problem-solving. Using scientific format for documenting information (aim, apparatus/materials, method/procedure, results/observations, discussion/conclusion).
• Responding to Challenges: Identifying challenges specific to the Caribbean (e.g., loss of agricultural land, decreased potable water, limited resources, costly energy, lower agricultural yields, susceptibility to diseases and natural disasters). Discussing how science and technology address these challenges (e.g., soil conservation, desalination, hydroponics, alternative energy, building codes). Learning about the contributions of Caribbean scientists.
• Measurement: Understanding the importance of measurement (accuracy, unreliability of senses, standardization). Defining length, mass, volume, temperature, and time, including SI units and appropriate measuring instruments. Demonstrating the correct use of these instruments.

Module 2: Investigating Matter

This module investigates the properties and behavior of matter.

• States of Matter: Defining matter and classifying substances into solids, liquids, and gases based on particle arrangement and physical properties. Explaining diffusion and osmosis. Describing the processes involved in changes of state (freezing, melting, evaporation, sublimation, condensation) and identifying everyday examples.
• Water: Explaining the water cycle and its impact (floods, droughts). Investigating the physical properties of water (color, odor, melting/boiling points, surface tension) and relating these properties to its uses (solvent, habitat, transport). Explaining the effects of pollution on aquatic life.
• Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures: Defining atoms and describing their structure (protons, neutrons, electrons). Identifying chemical symbols of common elements. Distinguishing between elements, compounds, and mixtures. Classifying mixtures as solutions or suspensions. Performing simple separation techniques (filtration, decanting, evaporation, chromatography, distillation).
• Metals and Non-Metals: Classifying substances as metals or non-metals based on their properties (conductivity, ductility, malleability, sonority, luster). Relating these properties to their uses.
• Acids and Bases: Naming common acids and bases. Recalling their characteristics (taste, pH). Determining the acidity/alkalinity of household products using the pH scale. Defining neutralization and citing examples (e.g., treating indigestion, insect bites, soil acidity).

Module 3: Understanding Life

This module explores the characteristics of living organisms, focusing on plants and their role in the environment.

• Living Organisms: Describing the characteristics of living things (respiration, excretion, movement, nutrition, reproduction, sensitivity, growth). Comparing plants and animals. Defining cells, stating the function of major cell parts (membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole, mitochondrion, cell wall, chloroplast), and differentiating between plant and animal cells. Understanding the hierarchical organization from cells to organisms (cells, tissues, organs, systems, organism). Stating the functions of major organ systems.
• Plants: Explaining the importance of plants as producers in food chains. Drawing and labeling a simple leaf (stalk, margin, vein, midrib, lamina). Describing photosynthesis (carbon dioxide + water + sunlight -> food + oxygen). Stating the functions of flower parts (stamen, pistil, petals, sepals, stalk). Describing pollination (self and cross) and identifying agents of pollination (animals, water, wind). Describing fertilization and seed production. Investigating conditions necessary for germination (temperature, air, water).
• Air: Identifying the main components of air and their percentages (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, inert gases, water vapor). Describing the uses of these components. Investigating the differences between inhaled and exhaled air. Explaining the importance of respiration (food + oxygen -> energy + water + carbon dioxide). Identifying common air pollutants (sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, methane) and discussing their effects (respiratory ailments, greenhouse effect, structural damage).
• Pests and Pesticides: Identifying plant pests (weeds, parasites, insects, animals). Describing pest control methods (chemical, biological, mechanical/physical). Discussing the impact of pesticides (toxins in food chains, water contamination).
• Soils: Comparing the physical properties of sand, clay, and loam (texture, water holding capacity, drainage). Explaining the importance of soil (food production, plant growth, water retention, habitat, aesthetics, minerals). Describing soil conservation methods (contour plowing, terracing, strip cropping, crop rotation, increasing vegetative cover).

Module 4: Focusing on Me

This module focuses on human health and well-being.

• Reproduction: Comparing secondary sexual characteristics of males and females. Identifying and stating the functions of human reproductive system parts. Describing the process of sexual reproduction (fertilization, fetal development, birth). Explaining the need for pre- and post-natal care (immunization, clinic visits, STI testing). Describing different contraceptive methods (abstinence, barrier, chemical, natural, sterilization). Justifying the need for screening examinations (breast, PAP smear, prostate, STI tests). Discussing the impact of teenage pregnancy on life choices (career, economic, education) and medical aspects (psychological, physiological).
• Drugs: Defining drugs and discussing their effects on individuals, including legal and illegal drugs (alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines).
• Diseases: Comparing different types of diseases (nutritional deficiency, physiological, inherited disorders, infectious). Explaining the importance of personal hygiene. Explaining the importance of a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, exercise, rest, hygiene).
• Food and Me: Discussing the role of nutrients in the body (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water, fiber). Performing simple food tests (starch, sugars, protein, fat). Developing balanced diets for different groups. Describing diseases/disorders associated with poor diet (malnutrition, obesity, anorexia, bulimia).
• Blood: Identifying blood components (red/white blood cells, platelets, plasma) and stating their functions (transport, defense, clotting). Describing the circulatory system components (heart, arteries, veins, capillaries) and their functions. Identifying blood groups (A, B, O, AB) and discussing their impact on transfusions (universal donor/recipient).

Module 5: Exploring Energy

This module explores different forms of energy and their impact on human activities.

• Forms of Energy: Defining energy and stating its main forms (electrical, kinetic, nuclear, sound, potential, chemical, light, heat, solar). Identifying energy forms in objects/situations.
• Energy Conversions: Identifying energy conversions in given situations (e.g., electrical to light/sound/heat in a TV) and discussing their impact on everyday activities. Understanding that energy is conserved but some is lost as heat. Discussing the efficiency of energy conversions in appliances. Classifying heat energy transfers as conduction, convection, or radiation, and giving examples.
• Energy Sources: Classifying energy sources as renewable (sun, wind, hydro, geothermal, biogas, wood) or non-renewable (fossil fuels). Defining fossil fuels and discussing their environmental effects (carbon dioxide production, greenhouse effect, global warming, climate change). Discussing the need for energy conservation. Comparing the feasibility of alternative energy sources to fossil fuels.
• Energy in the Home: Classifying items as conductors or insulators. Discussing their usefulness and explaining safety rules when dealing with electricity. Listing safety devices (fuses, circuit breakers, surge protectors, UPS, line conditioners). Discussing the dangers of overloading circuits. Comparing parallel and series circuits. Reading electrical meters to determine energy usage and calculating the cost.
• Energy Interactions: Describing the effects of forces (motion, balance, gravity, friction) and stating the types of forces (contact - pull, push, twist; at a distance - gravity, magnetic, electrostatic).