English National Curriculum - Science
Mission Objectives
Define what is meant by background radiation.
Describe where background radiation comes from.
Explain why levels of background radiation are different in different parts of Britain.
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Words and meanings to learn
Sieverts
The unit of measurement for radiation exposure, indicating the biological effect of ionising radiation on human health.
sources
Refers to the origins of background radiation, including natural and man-made sources.
exposure
The amount of radiation that an individual comes into contact with, which can vary based on factors such as location and occupation.
ionising
Refers to radiation that has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, leading to the formation of ions, and can cause harm to biological tissue.
radiation
The general term for energy emitted in the form of waves or particles, which includes both natural and man-made sources.
Samantha is an accomplished science educator whose current work centres on curriculum design and professional development, supporting teachers to deliver high-quality science education through evidence-informed approaches. She is a former Head of Chemistry and Sixth Form Tutor with extensive Key Stage 4 and 5 experience, and has worked as an AQA examiner, giving her valuable insight into assessment standards and what students need to succeed.
Samantha has written the complete KS4 Science curriculum, fully aligned with the AQA GCSE Science: Trilogy specification. Covering biology, chemistry and physics, the curriculum is carefully sequenced so that students build knowledge cumulatively and see clear connections between concepts across the three sciences. Drawing on her experience as an examiner and on research into effective teaching, she has designed it to embed retrieval practice, clear explanation, worked examples and the required practicals throughout, preparing students for the demands of the GCSE exams. Grounded in the realities of the classroom, the curriculum is rigorous for students and manageable for busy teachers.
In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing the accordion with her local orchestra and has recently taken up cricket.
Handout - Comprehension task on background radiation.
Expert film
Mission assignment film
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