Salters’ Science for Key Stage Three: Science Focus

The Salters’ science courses were developed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s to provide a complete balanced course in science for Key Stages Three and Four (ages 11-16). This section of the STEM elibrary covers the Key Stage Three materials. The timing of the development allowed a particularly close relationship between the content required by the National Curriculum programme of study (at that time), the arrangement of topics within the course and detailed schemes of work.

Each module of the course begins with a familiar, everyday topic or experience and leads on to develop the scientific ideas and knowledge needed to understand the topic. This structure allows the development of investigational skills, general study skills and the personal and social skills required for exchange of scientific ideas with others. The materials were developed by intensive three or four day writing workshops involving science teachers with a smaller number of industrial or academic scientists. Materials from each workshop were analysed and edited by a small editorial team at the University of York.

The teachers’ guides for the course provide a very detailed scheme of work. Suggested activities show how different types of teaching and learning activities can be organised and managed. Examples include role-plays, simulations, practical work and interactive discussions, as well as text- or ICT- based activities. The guides also include any non-reusable work-sheets for students.

Two student books are provided for each of Years Seven, Eight and Nine:

*Working with Science provides work sheets and instructions which help students develop their knowledge and understanding through a variety of interactive learning activities.

*Looking into Science is a full colour book which can be used to introduce new topics or ideas and stimulate curiosity.

Because students’ experiences at primary school differ, the course also provides an introductory module, designed to cover the first term of Year Seven. The Introduction provides an introduction to secondary level laboratories, equipment and working practices and a first look at some of the important areas of science which will be developed later in the course.