Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
6th Class Scientific Inquiry and the Natural World
A comprehensive exploration of biological, physical, and chemical phenomena through hands on investigation. Students develop critical thinking skills by testing hypotheses and analyzing the impact of science on society and the environment.
01The Living World: Systems and Survival
Investigating the complexity of human body systems and the diverse adaptations of plants and animals in their habitats.
Explore the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells using microscopes and models.
Investigate the components and function of the circulatory system, including the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Examine the organs and processes involved in breathing and gas exchange.
Trace the journey of food through the digestive tract and understand nutrient absorption.
Explore the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and their role in sensing and responding.
Identify the main parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, flower) and their roles.
Investigate the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
Explore different methods of plant reproduction, including seeds and vegetative propagation.
Learn about the hierarchical system used to classify living organisms.
Categorize animals based on the presence or absence of a backbone and other features.
Define ecosystems and identify the biotic and abiotic factors within different habitats.
Illustrate the flow of energy through ecosystems using food chains and webs.
Understand the importance of biodiversity and explore threats and conservation efforts.
Examine how organisms develop specific features to survive in their environments.
Explore the world of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, their roles, and impact on health.
02Materials and Change
Analyzing the properties of materials and the chemical changes that occur during heating, cooling, and mixing.
Observe and describe the distinct properties of matter in its three common states.
Investigate the processes of melting and freezing and the energy involved.
Explore how liquids turn into gases and vice versa, and their importance in nature.
Distinguish between changes that alter a substance's form and those that create new substances.
Identify observable signs that indicate a chemical reaction has taken place.
Explore the basic properties of acids and bases using indicators.
Define and differentiate between heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures and solutions.
Practice separating insoluble solids from liquids using filtration and decantation.
Learn to separate soluble solids from liquids and liquids from other liquids.
Investigate density as a property of matter and its applications.
Differentiate between the fundamental building blocks of matter.
Explore the organization of the periodic table and the properties of common elements.
Identify and explain common chemical reactions encountered daily, like rusting and cooking.
Understand that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Explore how scientists engineer materials with specific properties for various uses.
03Forces and Energy
Exploring the physics of motion, the power of electricity, and the conservation of energy.
Define force and identify different types of forces acting on objects.
Investigate the force of gravity and its effect on objects on Earth and in space.
Explore the forces that oppose motion and their practical applications.
Identify and explain the function of levers, pulleys, wheels, and inclined planes.
Define energy and identify its different forms (kinetic, potential, heat, light, sound).
Understand that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Explore the phenomena of static charge and its effects.
Build and compare series and parallel circuits, understanding current flow.
Investigate the properties of magnets and magnetic fields.
Construct electromagnets and explore their uses in various devices.
Explore how light travels, reflects, and refracts.
Investigate the spectrum of visible light and how colors are perceived.
Explore how sound is produced, travels, and its characteristics like pitch and loudness.
Investigate how sound reflects off surfaces and how materials absorb sound.
Introduce the concept of waves as carriers of energy, including transverse and longitudinal waves.
04Earth and Space
Examining the relationship between the Earth, Sun, and Moon, and the geological processes of our planet.
Understand how Earth's movements cause day/night cycles and seasons.
Explore the Moon's orbit, its phases, and the phenomena of solar and lunar eclipses.
Identify and describe the characteristics of the planets in our solar system.
Introduce the vastness of space, stars, and the concept of galaxies.
Classify rocks based on their formation processes and characteristics.
Understand the continuous process by which rocks are formed, broken down, and reformed.
Examine the layers of soil and its vital role in supporting life.
Investigate the processes that break down rocks and move sediment.
Detail the stages of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
Explore the importance of fresh water and strategies for its conservation.
Differentiate between weather and climate and explore factors influencing them.
Investigate the causes and effects of global warming and climate change.
Explore the science behind earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and extreme weather events.
Examine how solar energy is harnessed and its applications.