Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
6th Year Advanced Chemical Principles and Molecular Dynamics
A comprehensive exploration of the microscopic world designed for Year 6 students preparing for higher level chemistry. This course bridges the gap between conceptual understanding and mathematical application across atomic theory, thermodynamics, and reaction kinetics.

01Atomic Architecture and the Periodic Table
Investigating the evolution of atomic models and the quantum mechanical basis for the arrangement of elements.
Students will explore the concept of matter and its three common states: solids, liquids, and gases, identifying their observable properties.
Students will investigate different materials, describe their properties (e.g., hard, soft, flexible, waterproof), and discuss how these properties make them suitable for various uses.
Students will experiment with mixing different materials and explore simple methods to separate them, such as sieving, filtering, and evaporation.
Students will observe and describe how heating and cooling can change materials, focusing on reversible changes like melting and freezing.
Students will learn about irreversible changes in materials, such as burning wood or rusting metal, understanding that new materials are formed.
Students will explore the properties of magnets, identify magnetic and non-magnetic materials, and investigate how magnets interact.
Students will build simple electrical circuits, identify components, and distinguish between materials that conduct electricity and those that insulate.
Students will investigate how light travels, how shadows are formed, and explore different light sources.
Students will explore how sound is produced by vibrations, how it travels, and how we hear different sounds.
Students will classify elements based on their properties and location on the periodic table, understanding their uses.
Students will learn about the water cycle, focusing on the processes of evaporation and condensation and their role in weather.
Students will investigate that air is a mixture of gases, explore some of its properties, and understand its importance for life.
Students will learn about different types of pollution (air, water, land) and discuss simple ways they can help protect the environment.

02Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry
Examining the forces that hold matter together and how three dimensional shapes dictate biological and chemical function.
Students will explore the origins of common materials (e.g., wood from trees, plastic from oil, glass from sand) and discuss natural vs. man-made materials.
Students will learn about the importance of recycling, identify recyclable materials, and understand the process of turning old materials into new ones.
Students will investigate composting as a natural way to recycle organic waste, understanding how it helps plants grow and reduces landfill waste.
Students will learn about the 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' principle and brainstorm ways to reduce waste in their daily lives.
Students will understand the importance of water for all living things and discuss ways to conserve water at home and school.
Students will explore the composition of soil, its importance for plants and animals, and different types of soil.
Students will investigate the basic needs of plants (light, water, air, nutrients) and conduct simple experiments to observe plant growth.
Students will explore different animal habitats and understand the basic needs of animals (food, water, shelter) for survival.
Students will learn about simple food chains, identifying producers, consumers, and decomposers, and understanding the flow of energy.
Students will compare the properties of solids, liquids, and gases at the molecular level, linking them to intermolecular forces.
Students will explore the basic structure and function of the human skeletal and muscular systems, understanding how they help us move.
Students will learn about the process of digestion, understanding how our bodies break down food to get energy and nutrients.
Students will explore the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) and understand how they help us learn about the world around us.

03Stoichiometry and the Mole Concept
Quantifying chemical change through the application of the mole concept and balanced equations.
Students will practice measuring length using standard units like centimetres and metres, choosing appropriate tools for different objects.
Students will learn to measure the mass of objects using grams and kilograms, understanding the difference between mass and weight.
Students will measure the volume of liquids using litres and millilitres, and understand how to read measuring jugs accurately.
Students will use thermometers to measure temperature in degrees Celsius, understanding the concepts of hot, warm, and cold.
Students will observe simple chemical reactions, identifying signs like bubbles, colour changes, or new smells, and understand that new substances are formed.
Students will explore common acidic and basic substances found in the kitchen (e.g., lemon juice, baking soda) and use simple indicators to test them.
Students will learn about important safety rules for conducting experiments and identify common safety equipment in a science classroom.
Students will practice making predictions before experiments and carefully observing and recording their results, understanding the scientific process.
Students will learn to interpret their observations and data to draw simple conclusions about what they have learned from an experiment.
Students will explore the concept of dissolving by mixing solids with liquids, observing how some substances disappear to form solutions.
Students will investigate why some objects float and others sink, exploring the concept of density through hands-on experiments.
Students will explore different types of forces (e.g., gravity, friction) through simple activities, understanding that forces cause movement or changes in motion.
Students will identify different forms of energy (light, heat, sound) and understand that energy can be transferred and changed from one form to another.
Students will learn about different sources of energy, distinguishing between renewable (e.g., solar, wind) and non-renewable (e.g., fossil fuels) sources.