Students attending Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Primary Schools in Singapore follow a well-defined Science syllabus.
The learning journey can be divided into a Lower Block (Primary Three and Primary Four) and an Upper Block (Primary Five and Primary Six).
The topics are inter-related, anchored by fundamental scientific principles, processes and thinking skills.
Here is a simple overview.
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Primary Three |
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Theme: Diversity |
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1. Diversity of things – their characteristics and classification (Living & Non-living) |
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2. Diversity physical properties of materials (Non-living) |
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Theme: Systems |
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1. Plants – parts and functions |
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2. Human digestive system |
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Primary Four |
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Theme: Cycles |
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1. Life cycles of plants and animals (Living) |
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2. Three states of matter and their properties – solid, liquid, gas (Non-living) |
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Theme: Energy |
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1. Light and shadows |
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2. Heat and temperature |
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Theme: Interactions |
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1. Magnets |
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Primary Five |
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Theme: Cycles |
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1. Human reproduction – inheritance of characteristics |
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2. Plant reproduction |
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3. Water cycle (Non-Living) |
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Theme: Systems |
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1. Cells – structure and functions |
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2. Plant transport and gaseous exchange |
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3. Human respiratory and circulatory systems |
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4. Electrical system (Non-Living) |
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Primary Six |
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Theme: Energy |
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1. Sources of energy – photosynthesis, respiration, digestion (Living) |
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2. Forms and uses of energy – KE, GPE, heat, sound, light, electricity, elastic PE, chemical PE – energy conversion |
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Theme: Interactions |
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1. Forces – gravitational, frictional, elastic |
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2. Living together – populations, habitats, communities – living and environmental factors |
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3. Food chains and food webs – producers, consumers, decomposers – preys, predators |
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4. Man’s impact on environment – reduce, reuse, recycle |
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5. Adaptation – structural, behavioral
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With effect from 2017, students are increasingly assessed on their ability to understand and apply scientific concepts, process and thinking skills to realistic scenarios. This is slightly more difficult than simple regurgitation of scientific facts.