The “Big Ideas of Science” is a set of cross-cutting scientific concepts describing the world around us and allowing us to conceive the connection between the different natural phenomena. The Big Ideas aim to help students understand the link between the different subject domains, as well as between the subjects they are taught in school and their “real-life” experience. In the Go-Lab Sharing Platform, the online labs and Inquiry Learning Spaces (ILSs) are classified according to the eight Big Ideas of Science presented below.

 

Energy Transformation

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be transformed from one form to another. The transformation of energy can lead to a change in state or motion. Energy can also be converted to mass and vice versa.

Version for ages 12 to 15

When energy is transformed from one form to another, its total amount remains constant. The transfer of energy from one body (or system) to another or a change in its form can cause a change in state or motion. The amount of energy transferred or transformed during a motion is called work.

Version for ages 9 to 12

Energy is what makes every change possible throughout the universe. Energy can have many faces (forms) and it can be transferred from one body or system to another. However, its total amount remains constant. It cannot be created or destroyed.

Breaking down of the Energy Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Forms, Conservation of energy and energy transfer

Energy can be transferred from an object to another or to the environment when a force is acting on it. However, the total amount of energy always remains the same. The two main forms of energy are potential energy and kinetic energy while the two forms of 'energy in transit' (or types of transfer process) are heat and work.

Energy and forces

Objects can interact from distance or when in contact, through the fundamental interactions. When these interactions occur, energy is transferred or transformed. Depending on the acting force, we have different forms of energy.

Energy in chemical reactions

Energy is required for chemical reactions to occur. When a chemical reaction is triggered, energy is transformed. All living organisms transform energy from one form to another to be able to fuel their activities.

 

Evolution and Biodiversity

Evolution is the basis for both the unity of life and the biodiversity of organisms (living and extinct). Organisms pass on genetic information from one generation to another.

Version for ages 12 to 15

All organisms evolved from a common ancestor. Through mutations of DNA, new traits can appear in organisms. The organisms that are best adapted to their environment survive and pass on their traits to their descendants.

Version for ages 9 to 12

Organisms change over generations and develop traits and skills that help them survive. All the genetic information of an organism is stored in the DNA, which is found in the nucleus of each cell. The DNA is responsible for passing genetic information from one generation to another (inheritance).

Breaking down of the Evolution and Biodiversity Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Natural selection and Darwinian theory

Organisms that are best adapted to their environment survive and leave a larger number of offspring than those less adapted. Traits that allow organisms to survive are preserved through the mechanism of natural selection.

Biodiversity

All organisms evolved from a single ancestor. There is a large variability between organisms, which is a result of mutations that occur in the DNA. The best adapted organisms for a specific environment are selected through natural selection.

 

Fundamental Forces

There are four fundamental interactions/forces in nature: gravitation, electromagnetism, strong nuclear and weak nuclear forces. All phenomena are due to the presence of one or more of these interactions. Forces act on objects and can act at a distance through respective physical field, causing a change in motion or in the state of matter.

Version for ages 12 to 15

Gravity and electromagnetism are the two forces whose effects are most evident to us. These two forces are responsible for the majority of motions in the universe. The motion of an object depends on how a force acts on it.

Version for ages 9 to 12

When a force acts on an object it can change its shape or its state of motion. We cannot see forces but we can understand them by their effects. An object can have an effect on another through a force, either by being in contact with it or from a distance. There is a limited number of forces in our universe.

Breaking down of the Fundamental Forces Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Types of interactions

There are only four forms of interactions: gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear interaction and the weak nuclear interaction. Every motion or change of states is due to one or more of these interactions. The effects of these interactions can be observed in all scales of the universe.

Forces and motion

When a force (or more) acts on an object, the object will either change its kinetic state or shape. Depending on the size and the direction of the total force the object can perform different types of motions. For objects with speeds much smaller than the speed of light, the way forces act on objects is described by Newton’s laws. For objects with speeds close to the speed of light, the way forces act on objects is described by Einstein’s General theory of relativity.

 

Quantum

At very small scales, our world is subjected to the laws of quantum mechanics. All matter and radiation exhibit both wave and particle properties. We cannot simultaneously know the position and the momentum of a particle.

Version for ages 12 to 15

Light (electromagnetic radiation) behaves like a wave but it can also behave as a stream of particles carrying packs of energy called quanta. At small scales, particles can also act as quantum waves.

Version for ages 9 to 12

Quantum mechanics studies what happens inside atoms. Matter in the microcosm behaves differently than in the macrocosm.

Breaking down of the Quantum Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Subatomic particles properties

Subatomic particles behave differently than matter in the macrocosm. In these scales, particles exhibit both particle and wave properties (wave-particle duality). They are also subjected to the uncertainty principle, which states that their position and momentum, cannot be measured exactly simultaneously. Interactions of subatomic particles can cause the transformation of matter into energy and vice versa by emitting or absorbing specific quanta (a minimum amount) of energy.

Phenomena and applications

Quantum phenomena occur due to the interactions of subatomic particles according to their quantum properties and obey the laws of quantum mechanics. Some of these phenomena are used in contemporary applications like the scanning tunneling microscope and quantum computing.

 

Cells and Life Forms

Cells are the fundamental unit of life. They require a supply of energy and materials. All life forms on our planet are based on this common key component.

Version for ages 12 to 15

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. It can reproduce, breath, develop and produce a variation of products. Plants and animals are made of cells that form organs and systems. Cells require energy which they find through the processing of organic and/or inorganic matter.

Version for ages 9 to 12

Every living organism is made of cells. There are many types of cells which have different purposes.

Breaking down of the Cells and Life Forms Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Structure and function of cells

Cells are the basic unit of life. They can either be eukaryotic, containing organelles and a nucleus where the genetic material is stored, or prokaryotic containing the DNA, proteins and metabolites all together in the cytoplasm. Cells have metabolism and can transport substances such as proteins and lipids to the inside or the outside of the cell. Each cell can develop to have a specific function in the organism. While some cells are programmed to build and repair tissues and organs, others can have a role in the protection against diseases, among many other functions.

Growth and development of organisms

Organisms can be unicellular or multicellular. While unicellular organisms are made of only one cell, multicellular organisms are more complex and consist of several cells forming organs and organ systems. These organisms grow through the multiplication and specialization of these cells. Microorganisms are usually unicellular. Some of these are parasites and can cause diseases to other organisms.

 

Our Universe

Earth is a very small part of the universe. The Universe is comprised of billions of galaxies, each of which contains billions of stars (suns) and other celestial objects. Earth is a small part of the solar system with the Sun in its center, which in turn is a very small part of the Universe.

Version for ages 12 to 15

The Sun is the star of our solar system and it is around 110 times larger in diameter than Earth. The closest star to the sun is a bit over 4 light years away. Our galaxy has billions of stars, some smaller and some bigger than our Sun. There are billions of galaxies in our universe which besides stars, include many other types of objects as well.

Version for ages 9 to 12

Earth and the other planets orbit around the Sun. The Sun is the star of our solar system and it is around 100 times larger than Earth. There are billions of stars like our Sun in the universe.

Breaking down of the Our Universe Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Earth and the solar system

Earth is a small part of our solar system. The Sun is in the center of our solar system; planets, asteroids and comets orbit around the Sun. Some planets have moons orbiting around them. The Sun is around 110 times larger in diameter than Earth.

Earth's place in the universe, Celestial objects

Our Solar system is a very small part of our Galaxy, which in turn is a very small part of the Universe. Stars, planets, asteroids and moons are not the only objects in the universe. Nebulas, black-holes, neutron stars, white and brown stars are also found in the universe.

The history of our universe

Our universe was born 13.8 billion years ago. It expanded from a state of very high-density and very high-temperature. This 'expansion' is called the big bang. Since then, our universe kept on expanding.

 

Planet Earth

Earth is a system of systems which influences and is influenced by life on the planet. The processes occurring within this system influence the evolution of our planet and shape its climate and surface. The solar system also influences Earth and life on the planet.

Version for ages 12 to 15

Earth is ever-changing due to the constant flow of energy and radiation from the Sun, as well as the unchanging processes on Earth. All living organisms affect the Earth and are affected by it.

Version for ages 9 to 12

Our Earth, its climate and surface are influenced by natural phenomena and all living organisms. All living organisms are affected by everything that happens on our planet.

Breaking down of the Planet Earth Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Ecosystems

Ecosystems include organisms, abiotic factors and the relationships that develop between them. Energy is transferred from one organism to another through food and matter is recycled to be used again in food chains.

Earth materials and structure

All living organisms are affected by the Earth's surface, materials and natural resources. There is no life without water. Its internal structure, the movement of tectonic plates and large-scale system interactions determine life and hide natural hazards for the organisms.

Earth's Climate

The Earth's climate depends on the impact of the Sun, but is also affected by humans. These days, all living organisms experience a global climate change that has multiple consequences on organisms.

 

Structure of Matter

All matter in the Universe is made of very small particles. They are in constant motion and in constant interaction with each other. Elementary particles form atoms and atoms form molecules. There is a finite number of types of atoms in the universe which are the elements in the periodic table.

Version for ages 12 to 15

There is a finite number of elements and they are all presented in the periodic table. Atoms and molecules form new bonds through chemical reactions. Molecules that are based on carbon are fundamental for life and they are called organic molecules.

Version for ages 9 to 12

All matter in the universe is made of the same elementary particles called quarks and electrons. Quarks make up protons and neutrons. Protons, neutrons and electrons combine in different ways and they make different atoms (elements). Atoms make up molecules. All matter is in constant motion and depending on the intensity of the motion it can be found in three different states: solid, liquid or gas.

Breaking down of the Structure of Matter Big Idea of Science

Intermediate ideas of Science Small Ideas of Science

Structure, properties and function of elements (Periodic table)

There is a finite number of elements in the universe, and they are all made up of the quarks and electrons. The number of quarks and electrons defines the behavior of each element.

Structure and properties of matter

Atoms interact through the electromagnetic force and create molecules. Molecules can include atoms of the same or different elements. Each type of molecule has its own properties which also define how it reacts with other molecules. The use and role of each type of molecules in nature is based on its properties.

Chemical reactions

Chemical reactions are the processes through which atoms and/or molecules interact and are combined. There are different types of chemical reactions but they are mainly categorized depending on whether the system releases or absorbs energy.

Nuclear processes

Nuclear processes can change the nucleus and consequently the structure of an atom. Nuclear process can release enormous amounts of energy.