Slovakia Primary School Science Curriculum

The Slovak primary school science curriculum is divided into two stages. Grades 1-4 focus on "Nature and Society," integrating natural science topics with national history and geography. Grades 5-9 shift to "Man and Nature," with distinct subjects for biology, physics, and chemistry. A new curriculum was introduced in September 2023, initially in 40 primary schools.

Grades 1-4 (Nature and Society)

This stage integrates natural science with elements of national history and geography.

Natural Science (Prírodoveda):

This subject covers a broad range of topics, including:

• Plants: Plant life characteristics, basic structure and functions, reproduction, growth conditions, diversity, and uses.
• Animals: Animal life characteristics, reproduction, development, diets, habitats, and classification.
• Time: Seasons, periodic changes in nature, and methods of measuring time.
• Water: Water as an environment, changes in its state, its significance, and the water cycle.
• Matter: Properties of matter in different states, changes in matter caused by heat and other substances, and light.
• Gas, Liquid, and Solid Matter: Properties of air, water, and soil, and their measurement.
• Heat and Temperature: Seasonal temperature changes, sources of heat, and temperature measurement.
• The Human Body: Nutrition, digestion, respiration, the skeletal system, sensory organs, and healthy lifestyles.
• Properties of Matter: Thermal conductivity, density, and buoyancy.
• Simple Devices: Levers, inclined planes, pulleys, and gears.
• Forces: Gravity, electric energy, magnetic force, and friction.
• The Universe: Planets, stars, galaxies, the solar system, and Earth's movements.

National History and Geography (Vlastiveda):

This subject includes topics such as:

• Discovering Changes Around Us: Compass points, shadows, and observing weather changes.
• Journey to School and Home: Environmental pollution and protection, and health care.

Grades 5-9 (Man and Nature)

This stage separates science into distinct subjects: Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.

Biology:

Covers topics such as life in different ecosystems, cell structure, human body systems, heredity, and environmental interactions.

Physics:

Focuses on properties of matter, motion, forces, energy, light, heat, and electricity.

Chemistry:

Explores chemical substances, reactions, elements, compounds, and organic chemistry.