1. Draft Electric circuits: hierarchy of knowledge Electric current
How is an expert’s understanding of the subject organised?
Big idea Electricity transfers energy
Energy can be transferred from place to pace by electric current. Electricity is produced from many energy resources by driving a turbine, and stored by a battery or transmitted by currents. Batteries produce voltage that drive current around a circuit, supplying power to components. All these quantities can be calculated and controlled.
Unit concept
Electric current
Unit. concept
Resistance
Sub-concepts
Series circuit, parallel circuit
Facts
Ammeters measure current in A
Circuit symbols: buzzer, bulb, resistor, cell, switch, ammeter
Facts
Components add resistance
What scientific reasoning, maths, literacy and problem solving skills are developed?
Skill area
Develop models
Use models to make predictions and develop scientific explanations
Skill area
Develop hypotheses
Make a hypothesis and predict what will happen if it is correct
Skill area
Engineer solutions
Design a solution to meet criteria
Draft
Note: the content is in draft form and may change when published © Mastery Science, 2018

2. I can use my knowledge to
Electric circuits: learning stages & objectives
Electrical
engineer
Activate
I understand earlier concepts
Acquire
I can make sense of the idea that ..
Apply
In unfamiliar situations, I can use the concept to ..
Analyse
I can use higher order thinking to ..
Electric current
Circuits
Electric current is the movement of electrons from a source through a conductor and back, around a complete circuit
Predict effect of switches in series and parallel circuits
Predict ammeter readings in circuits
Troubleshoot faulty circuits, showing your deductions
Resistance
Electric current
Resistance Is a property of materials that reduces current flow and transfers energy to the surroundings
Predict how the current changes when components are added or removed
Make deductions about the resistance of a component from observations or data
Act
I can use my knowledge to
Build a circuit with a home-made foot switch that lights a bulb or sounds a buzzer
Note: the content is in draft form and may change when published © Mastery Science, 2018

3. (AQA Trilogy combined science)
Electric circuits: national curriculum
Which parts of KS3 are covered?
AQA KS3 syllabus: Voltage and resistance (part)
3.3.2 Current
Which parts of GCSE are covered?
(AQA Trilogy combined science)
Electric current
Standard circuit diagram symbols
6.2.2 Series and parallel circuits
Specialised cells
Cell specialisation
Develop models
WS 1.2 Use a variety of models
Develop hypotheses
WS 3.6 Presenting reasoned explanations including relating data to hypotheses
What practical skills can be developed?
Apparatus and techniques
AT.6.P
AT.7.P
What resources are there to teach this unit?
Below are some ideas. Visit to see more teaching & assessment resources, including:
Advanced planners with teaching ideas for Acquire
Mastery Practice Books to practise Apply
Diagnostic and summative assessments for Acquire, Apply and Analyse
Teaching
ideas
Analyse
Act Student can use folded over cardboard for the the switch contacts, and attach aluminium foil on the inside so that they make electrical contact only with pressure.
Note: the content is in draft form and may change when published © Mastery Science, 2018