The Science & Technology curriculum in 4e
As with 5e students, science & technology takes up 4h30 of lessons each week, split into 3 distinct subjects — namely Life and Earth Sciences (SVT), Physical Sciences and Technology. Note that French takes up the same weekly number of hours, studying modern languages takes 5h30, history-geography, 3h and mathematics 3h30.
Life and Earth Sciences in detail
During cycle 4, 4e students carry out more in-depth investigations, to gain a level of understanding of the functions of living beings and how the planet works, with an emphasis on human reproduction, the nervous system of living beings and volcanic and seismic activity.
The curriculum covers 4 major themes: the Earth’s internal activity (earthquakes, volcanism, plate tectonics and risks), sexual reproduction and species survival in their environments, the transmission of life in humans, and relationships within the body (the nervous system, disruption and hormones).
Physical Sciences in detail
After the discovery phase in 5e, the Physics-Chemistry curriculum continues to provide students with scientific culture and critical thinking skills. At this level, it is organised into 3 major parts:
- From the air around us to the molecule (the atmosphere, volume and mass of air, molecular description of matter, combustion, atoms…)
- The laws of direct current (current, voltage, resistance and Ohm’s law)
- Light (colours, images, speed)
Technology in detail
Developing students’ practical skills, the 4e technology curriculum aims to have them respond to concrete situations, in groups, with tasks and responsibilities for each member. Lessons will be organised around 6 themes: analysis and design of technical objects, the materials used, the energy involved, the evolution of technical objects, communication and information management, and the processes for making a technical object.
Here, the aim is to show the influence of technology on the culture of society, offering an approach to the industrial world, as well as to product design (from potential to distribution).
