Cyprus

The Science Curriculum in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades^a

The science curriculum in the primary and secondary grades is prescribed centrally by the MoEC. The science curriculum aims to help students develop conceptual understanding, grounded in everyday experiences, which lays a foundation for formulating interpretive accounts of various phenomena, and develop skills, attitudes, and behaviors comprising scientific competencies, which may be useful both in everyday life and for lifelong learning in the 21^st century.¹²

Exhibit 3 presents the science curriculum for the fourth grade that was in effect during the 2014–2015 school year.¹³

Exhibit 3: Fourth Grade Science Curriculum

Units	Topics
Life Science	The dependence of the abundance of plants in a certain location on the environmental conditions The role of certain physical features of plants and animals in helping plants and animals survive in their environment The features and importance of forests in Cyprus
Electricity	Electricity and simple circuits Different technologies for generating electricity, and their strengths and weaknesses The efficient use of electric appliances
Light	Rectilinear propagation of light Transparency of materials Shadow formation Factors that influence the size and shape of shadows The conditions for rainbow formation The primary colors of light The production of other colors as a result of the combination of the primary colors Health risks associated with sunlight and possible precautions The role of light in traffic safety
Matter	States of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and their properties Composition of air Constituent components of a soil sample
Force, Motion, and Simple Machines	Common uses of levers and pulleys in everyday life How levers, pulleys, and inclined planes can reduce the effort needed to perform certain tasks How the angle of an inclined plane affects the force needed to lift an object The role of the force of friction in daily life Whether type of surface affects the force of friction
Earth Science	The Sun and the planets in our solar system The Moon as a satellite of Earth

Exhibit 4 presents the physics curriculum for the eighth grade.¹⁴

Exhibit 4: Eighth Grade Physics Curriculum

Units	Topics
Properties of Matter	States of matter Properties of liquid water Mass, volume, and density Properties of gases—pressure, compressibility, and diffusion Molecular model of matter Physical and chemical phenomena (changes)
Energy—Heat and Temperature	Forms of energy Energy conversion Measurement of temperature Heat, temperature, and thermal equilibrium Changes in state of matter Thermal expansion/contraction in solids, liquids, and gases Heat transfer—conduction, convection, and radiation Heat conductors and insulators
Sound	Production of sound Sound propagation Characteristics of sound Reflection of sound—echo and reverberation Sound attenuation Soundproofing and noise pollution