Astronomy in the National UK Curricula

1. Astronomy in the National UK Curricula Discover the Cosmos Astrophysics Research Institute Liverpool John Moores University Dr. Chris Leigh 1st September 2011

2. Astronomy in the UK

3. Astronomy in Scottish Schools

4. Astronomy in Primary Schools – England and Wales • Key Stage 2 : Age 8-11 • Topic: SC4 • Physical Processes • Section: 4 • The Earth and beyond • Pupils should be taught: • The Sun, Earth and Moon • that the Sun, Earth and Moon are approximately spherical. • Periodic changes • how the position of the Sun appears to change during the day, and how shadows change as this happens. • how day and night are related to the spin of the Earth on its own axis. • that the Earth orbits the Sun once each year, and that the Moon takes approximately 28 days to orbit the Earth.

5. Astronomy in Secondary Schools – England and Wales • Key Stage 3 : Age 11-14 • Topic: SC4 • Physical Processes • Section: 4 • The Earth and beyond • Pupils should be taught: • The Solar System • how the movement of the Earth causes the apparent daily and annual movement of the Sun and other stars. • the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets in the solar system. • about the movements of planets around the Sun and to relate these to gravitational forces • that the Sun and other stars are light sources and that the planets and other bodies are seen by reflected light. • about the use of artificial satellites and probes to observe the Earth and to explore the solar system.

6. Astronomy in Secondary Schools – England and Wales • Key Stage 4 : Age 14-16 • Topic: • How Science Works • Section: 8 • Environment, Earth and • Universe • Pupils should be taught: • The Solar System • the solar system is part of the universe, which has changed since its origin and continues to show long-term changes. • ********* • Note that the KS4 is vague because, at this age, students study for their first major examinations (GCSEs) and the content of lessons is driven by the examination boards.

7. GCSEs – Edexcel 2011 Specifications GCSE in Astronomy Earth, Sun and Moon; Planetary Systems; Stars; Galaxies and Cosmology Coursework (75%), Controlled Assessment (25%) GCSE in Physics Unit P1: Universal physics Visible light and the Solar System; Electromagnetic Spectrum; Waves and the Universe Coursework (75%), Controlled Assessment (25%) GCSE in Science Unit P1: Universal physics Visible light and the Solar System; Electromagnetic Spectrum; Waves and the Universe Coursework (75%), Controlled Assessment (25%)

8. GCSEs – OCR 2011 Specifications GCSE in Science A Module P1: The Earth in the Universe What do we know about the place of the Earth in the Universe Coursework (75%), Controlled Assessment (25%) GCSE in Physics A Module P1: The Earth in the Universe (as per Science A) Module P7: Further Physics – Studying the Universe Naked eye astronomy; Light, telescopes and image; Mapping the Universe; The Sun, the stars and their surrounding; The astronomy community Coursework (75%), Controlled Assessment (25%)

9. A level (GCE) / EPQ – OCR, AQA, WJEC and Edexcel Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) Age 16-18 OCR: A level in Physics A Module 5: Modelling the Universe Gravitational Fields; Structure of the universe; The evolution of the universe AQA: A level in Physics A Unit 5 : Section B : Astrophysics Option Lenses and Optical Telescopes; Non-optical Telescopes; Classification of Stars; Cosmology WJEC: A level in Physics Unit PH2: Waves and Particles Matter, Forces and the Universe; Photons; Using radiation to investigate stars edexcel: A level in Physics Unit 5: Physics from Creation to Collapse Astrophysics and Cosmology, incl. Life Cycle of Star, Energy Sources in Stars

10. Any Questions ? Astrophysics Research Institute Liverpool John Moores University Dr Chris Leigh cjl@astro.livjm.ac.uk