Sweden Year 5 Curriculum - Science

This outlines the Science course for Year 5 within the Swedish compulsory school system (Grundskolan). Science in these years is taught within the framework of Science Studies, which encompasses Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. The curriculum emphasizes developing pupils' curiosity and interest in the world around them, encouraging them to ask questions and seek answers through systematic studies. Practical investigations, using digital tools and other equipment, are central to the learning process. Students are expected to develop critical thinking skills, evaluate different sources of information, and understand the scientific method. The curriculum also highlights the importance of ethical, aesthetic, and practical considerations related to health, natural resource use, and ecological sustainability.

Science Studies (Years 4-6)

Biology:

• Nature and Society: Pupils learn about their dependence on and impact on nature, focusing on sustainable development. They explore ecosystem services like pollination and decomposition, and study the life cycles of plants and animals, including common species in their local environment. The curriculum also emphasizes the importance of nature as a resource for recreation and the responsibilities associated with its use.
• Body and Health: The focus is on understanding how sleep, diet, movement, and social relationships affect both mental and physical health. Pupils learn about common diseases, prevention, and treatment methods. They also study the human body's organ systems, including the names, appearance, location, function, and interaction of organs. Puberty, sexuality, and reproduction are also addressed, along with questions of identity, gender equality, relationships, love, and responsibility.
• Biology and World Views: Pupils explore historical and contemporary discoveries in biology and their impact on people's lives and perspectives on nature. Different cultural descriptions and explanations of nature are examined, along with the development of life and adaptation of organisms to various habitats.
• Methods and Ways of Working: Simple field studies and experiments are conducted, with an emphasis on planning, execution, and evaluation. Pupils learn how to identify, categorize, and group organisms. Documentation of studies using tables, pictures, and simple written reports is encouraged, along with the interpretation and examination of information from various sources like newspapers and digital media.

Physics:

• Physics in Nature and Society: Pupils learn about the indestructibility and flow of energy, different energy sources, and their environmental impact. Simple meteorological phenomena and their causes are explored, along with methods for observing weather through measurements over time.
• Physics and Everyday Life: The curriculum covers energy flow between objects with different temperatures and how this can be affected by insulation. Electrical circuits, magnets and their uses, forces and motion, sound, and light are also studied.
• Physics and World Views: Pupils learn about historical and contemporary discoveries in physics and their importance for people's lives and world views. Different cultural descriptions and explanations of nature are examined. The solar system, space exploration, and different methods of measuring time are also covered.
• Methods and Ways of Working: Simple systematic studies, including planning, execution, and evaluation, are conducted. Pupils learn about measurements and measuring instruments and how to use them in studies. Documentation using tables, pictures, and simple written reports is encouraged, along with the interpretation and examination of information from various sources.

Chemistry:

• Chemistry in Nature: A simple particle model is introduced to explain the structure, recycling, and indestructibility of matter. Pupils learn about the classification of substances based on their properties, and study water, air, photosynthesis, and combustion.
• Chemistry in Everyday Life and Society: The curriculum covers the conversion of materials from raw materials to products and waste management. Pupils learn about the contents of food and the importance of nutrients, common chemicals in the home and society, and their impact on health and the environment. Fossil and renewable fuels and their role in energy use and climate change are also addressed.
• Chemistry and World Views: Pupils explore historical and contemporary discoveries in chemistry and their importance for people's lives and world views. They also examine past descriptions of the structure of matter and the transition of chemistry into a modern science. Different cultural descriptions and explanations of nature are also considered.
• Chemistry, its Methods and Ways of Working: Simple systematic studies, including planning, execution, and evaluation, are conducted. Pupils learn some methods for separating solutions and mixtures and how to document their studies using tables, pictures, and simple written reports. The interpretation and examination of information from various sources are also encouraged.