Science
EvidenceSee strand assessment evidence.
Final outcomeFinal adapted DIY Ice Cube Insulation Box, results graph and adaptation explanation
AssessmentWeighted /100 judging grid
Year 7 · Objects: understanding, changing and improving the things around us
Improvisation & Adaptation
Year 7 introduces MSC through purposeful adaptation. Across Science, Maths and Computing, students begin with an existing problem, idea or solution, investigate how it works, make a reasoned change, test the effect and improve the result. The shared emphasis is that a solution does not have to remain the same: strong adaptations have a purpose and are supported by evidence.
- 01Investigate / Analyse / Create
- 02Adapt
- 03Test
- 04Improve
How the strands connect
Science, Maths and Computing form one connected year.
Science applies adaptation to a physical insulation problem, Maths applies it to a mathematical maze game, and Computing applies it to an existing Scratch game. Although each subject uses different knowledge, the common process is to understand what already exists, make purposeful changes, test whether they work and improve the final solution.
Subject strands
Year 7 at a glance
Open a strand for the complete lesson progression, detailed guidance, assessment evidence and scoring where used.
Science4 x 50 minutes (200 minutes)
Investigate & Adapt
Students learn that scientific ideas and solutions can be investigated, tested and purposefully adapted. They apply knowledge of heat transfer and insulation to design a DIY Ice Cube Insulation Box, considering materials, surface area, volume, cost and efficiency. Across the strand, students plan, build, test, record results, create a graph and use evidence to improve their design.
- Main outcome
- Final adapted DIY Ice Cube Insulation Box, results graph and adaptation explanation
Maths4 x 50 minutes (200 minutes)
Analyse & Adapt
Students learn that mathematical games and solutions can be analysed, purposefully adapted, tested and improved. They explore Equation Escape, a maze game in which equations determine the player's route, then create their own adapted version. Across 200 minutes, students plan, design, test and refine the mathematics, maze, rules and special features, keeping mathematical accuracy at the centre of the final game.
- Main outcome
- Final adapted Equation Escape game with instructions and testing evidence
Computing1 x 50 minutes
Create & Adapt
Students learn that digital solutions do not have to stay the same. In one practical lesson, they explore a starter Scratch game called Catch the Stars, understand how its controls, scoring and code logic work, then create a purposeful adapted version. Students plan changes to difficulty, gameplay, code and design, use programming features such as events, loops, selection and variables, test whether the project works and improve anything that does not work before final submission.
- Main outcome
- Final adapted Scratch project with adaptation plan and testing evidence
Cross-strand assessment
Evidence across the full year
The three strands use different products, but each expects students to show their thinking and respond to evidence or constraints.
Maths
EvidenceSee strand assessment evidence.
Final outcomeFinal adapted Equation Escape game with instructions and testing evidence
AssessmentWeighted /100 judging grid
Computing
EvidenceSee strand assessment evidence.
Final outcomeFinal adapted Scratch project with adaptation plan and testing evidence
AssessmentWeighted /100 judging grid
Delivery boundaries
Important expectations for this year
- The Year 7 strands are practical and adaptation focused. Students should be given time to test and improve rather than treating the first version as the finished product.
- Science uses a physical insulation challenge and should use safe classroom materials. Testing should be fair enough for the results to guide improvement.
- Maths and Computing both begin with an existing solution. Students should understand the original before adapting it, and more features should not automatically be treated as better.
- Judging takes place after the allocated strand time so students can use the full working period to improve their final product.
Curriculum source: Y7 Strand Guide.docx