Sweden Åk Curriculum - Chemistry

The Chemistry curriculum aims to develop students' knowledge of chemical contexts, sparking their curiosity and interest in investigating the world. Students are encouraged to question chemical processes, properties, and the structure of matter based on their experiences and current events. The curriculum emphasizes systematic study, including practical investigations using digital tools and other equipment, and consulting various sources. This fosters critical thinking about their results, others' arguments, and diverse information sources. Students learn that scientific methods can test and evaluate statements. The curriculum equips students with knowledge and tools to formulate arguments and analyze others' arguments in chemistry-related contexts. This prepares them for practical, ethical, and aesthetic situations involving energy, the environment, health, and society. Students develop familiarity with chemical concepts, models, and theories, understanding their development through interactions with studies of the world. They learn to discuss, interpret, and create texts and aesthetic expressions with scientific content, differentiating between scientific and other world depictions. The curriculum provides insights into the scientific worldview, with evolutionary theory as a foundation, and its historical and cultural impact. Students develop the ability to:

• Use chemistry knowledge to analyze information, communicate, and form opinions on energy, environment, health, and societal issues.
• Conduct systematic chemistry studies.
• Use chemical concepts, models, and theories to describe and explain chemical relationships in society, nature, and people.

Core Content (Years 4-6):

• Chemistry in Nature: Simple particle model explaining matter's structure, recycling, and indestructibility; particle movement explaining transitions between states of matter; classifying substances based on properties (appearance, conductivity, solubility, combustibility, acidity); water's properties and circulation; air's properties and composition; photosynthesis, combustion, and other basic chemical reactions.
• Chemistry in Everyday Life and Society: Material conversion (raw materials to products to waste); food content and nutrient importance; historical and contemporary food preservation; common chemicals in homes and society (use, impact, labeling, handling); fossil and renewable fuels.
• Chemistry and World Views: Historical and contemporary discoveries; chemistry's transition from magic to science; diverse cultural depictions of nature.
• Chemistry: Methods and Working: Simple systematic studies; separating mixtures; documentation; interpreting information.

Core Content (Years 7-9):

• Chemistry in Nature: Particle model explaining matter's structure, recycling, and indestructibility (atoms, electrons, nuclear particles); chemical compounds (molecular and ionic); particle models explaining phase properties and transitions; water as a solvent; solutions, deposits, acids, bases, pH; chemical processes in earth systems; carbon's properties and circulation; photosynthesis and combustion.
• Chemistry in Everyday Life and Society: Energy and resource use; chemical processes in manufacturing and recycling; material breakdown; water purification; food and beverage content; chemical processes in the body; chemicals in homes and society; safe chemical handling; current societal issues.
• Chemistry and World Views: Historical and contemporary discoveries; current research; theories about the universe's origins; the universe's development; usefulness and limitations of chemical theories and models; historical grouping of atoms.
• Chemistry: Methods and Working: Systematic studies; separation and analysis models; documentation; critical examination of sources.