Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
6th Year Physics and Chemistry.
This combined Physics and Chemistry curriculum for 6th Class explores the fundamental properties of materials and the physical forces that shape our world. Students will engage in hands-on scientific inquiry to develop their understanding of energy, matter, and environmental care in alignment with the SESE Science curriculum.
01Properties and Characteristics of Materials
Students investigate the states of matter, mixtures, and chemical reactions, developing their understanding of how materials behave and change.
Students investigate how heating and cooling cause materials to change state. They explore the particle model of matter conceptually.
An exploration of how different materials interact when mixed. Students learn techniques for separating mixtures, such as filtration and evaporation.
Students observe permanent changes in materials, such as rusting and baking. They identify the signs that a chemical reaction has taken place.
02Energy and Forces: Light and Sound
An exploration of wave physics, focusing on how light and sound travel, interact with materials, and are perceived by humans.
Students investigate how light travels, reflects, and refracts. They explore the visible spectrum and how we perceive colour.
An examination of how sound is produced by vibrations and travels through various materials. Students explore pitch and volume.
Students explore how light and sound technologies are used in everyday life and communication. They consider the impact of noise pollution.
03Energy and Forces: Electricity and Magnetism
Students build electrical circuits, investigate magnetic fields, and discover the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
Students construct simple circuits and test various materials for electrical conductivity. They learn about the importance of electrical safety.
An investigation into the properties of magnets, magnetic fields, and the Earth's magnetism. Students explore attraction and repulsion.
Students discover the relationship between electricity and magnetism by building simple electromagnets. They explore real-world applications of electromagnets.
04Forces and Motion
An inquiry into the physical forces that govern movement, including gravity, friction, and the mechanical advantage of simple machines.
Students explore the concept of gravity as a force that pulls objects toward the Earth. They differentiate between mass and weight.
An investigation into forces that oppose motion. Students test how different surfaces affect friction and how shape affects air resistance.
Students learn how simple machines like levers and pulleys make work easier. They design and build their own simple mechanical devices.
05Materials and the Environment
Students examine the intersection of chemistry, physics, and environmental science by looking at resource extraction, pollution, and renewable energy.
Students trace the origins of everyday materials, from raw natural resources to finished products. They examine the environmental impact of extraction.
A critical look at the use of plastics, their chemical durability, and their impact on ecosystems. Students evaluate alternatives to single-use plastics.
Students explore renewable energy sources and the importance of energy conservation. They discuss the role of science in addressing climate change.