Basic Science at the Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) level introduces students to fundamental scientific concepts and principles. With the adoption of the National Policy on Education, the Basic Science program was introduced as a core subject at the Junior Secondary School level to introduce students to the world of science and to prepare them for higher education in science and technology.
Basic science is a science subject taught at the lower, upper primary, and junior secondary school levels. It helps students gain an understanding of the roles and functions of science in everyday life and the world in which they live.
Additionally, at this level, emphasis is placed on developing practical skills such as observation, measurement, and experimentation. Practical experiments and demonstrations are often used to reinforce theoretical concepts and encourage hands-on learning.
In junior secondary schools, assessment methods in Basic Science may vary from one institution to another. However, the common approaches include regular tests or quizzes, known as Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), and end-of-term exams.
Students’ performance is graded on a scale ranging from A to F. An A grade reflects outstanding achievement, corresponding to scores around 70% or 80%. An F grade indicates failure, typically associated with scores below 50% or 45%.
| LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: UNIFIED SCHEMES OF WORK FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL | ||
| Basic Science Scheme of Work for Junior Secondary School 1(JSS1) | ||
| Class | J.S.S.1 | |
| Subject | Basic Science | |
| Term | First Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | LIVING AND NON LIVING THINGS – I | I. Meaning, Identification and Classification of Matter II. Define Matter, States of Matter |
| 2 | LIVING AND NON LIVING – II | I. Characteristics of living and Non Livings II. Examples, Characteristics and Importance of Plants and Animals |
| 3 | LIVING AND NON LIVING THINGS – III | I. Differences between Plants and Animals II. Examples, Properties, Uses and Importance of Living and Non Living |
| 4 | LIVING AND NON LIVING THINGS – IV | I. Classification of Non Living into Metals and Non Metals II. Examples, Properties, Uses and Importance |
| 5 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | I. Meaning of Puberty and Adolescence II. Puberty/Adolescent Changes – Physical, Social and Emotional Changes III. Personal Hygiene IV. Menstruation, Menstrual Cycle and Menstrual Hygiene – Myths and Facts about Pubertal Changes in Boys and Girls V. Coping with concerns at Adolescence Pubertal Changes and Emotional Development |
| 6 | FAMILY HEALTH – I | Define Sanitation and Explain its Importance and Methods used. |
| 7 -8 | FAMILY HEALTH – II | I. Define Nutrition II. Explain Balance Diet and Give Examples III. List the Classes of Food with Examples IV. Plan an Adequate Diet for a Home. |
| 9 | FAMILY HEALTH – III | I. Meaning of Drug, Drug and Substance Abuse, Addiction and Misuse II. Examples and Sources of Drugs III. Uses and Side Effects of Drugs |
| 10 | REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM | I. Male Reproductive Organs – Internal and External II. Functions and Cares of Male and Female Reproductive Organs |
| 11 | REVISION | |
| 12 -13 | REVISION AND EXAMINATION | |
| Term | Second Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | REVISION OF LAST TERM’S WORK | I. Male Reproductive Organs – Internal and External II. Functions and Cares of Male and Female Reproductive Organs |
| 2 | ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION – I | I. Definition of Air, Soil and Water Pollution II. Causes of Air, Soil and Water Pollution, e.g. Domestic/industrial Waste, Fertilizer/ Insecticides • Agricultural • Chemical • Non – biodegradable • Oil Spillage |
| 3 | ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION – II | I. Consequences of Pollution such as Respiratory Tract Infection II. Water Borne Disease III. Destruction of Soil Organisms and Poor Plant Yield. IV. Control Measures |
| 4 | SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) | I. Definition of STIs II. Transmission of STIs III. Signs and Symptoms of STIs IV. Effects of STIs, prevention of STI (Responsible Sexual Behavior, Avoid the Use of Unscreened Blood, Unsterilized Injection, Needles and Clippers) V. Behaviors that put People at Risk VI. Finding help |
| 5 | HIV/AIDS – I | I. Meaning II. Difference between HIV/AIDS III. Mode of Transmission, IV. Behaviors that put People at Risk V. Prevention of HIV |
| 6 | HIV/AIDS | I. Counseling and Testing II. Care and Support III. Myths and Facts about HIV/AIDS |
| 7 -8 | ENERGY | I. Meaning of Energy II. Sources of Energy III. Forms of Energy IV. Transformation of Energy V. Uses of Energy |
| 9 | RENEWABLE AND NON RENEWABLE ENERGY | I. Meaning II. Examples III. Uses and Misuse IV. Describe how Energy Generation affects Quality of Life |
| 10 | ENERGY AND SOCIETY | I. Energy for Working and Operating Appliances, Seeing, Walking, Playing, Cooking, etc. II. Energy from Hydro – Electricity for Electric Supply III. Solar Energy Generates IV. Heat Energy for Drying V. Light Energy for Photosynthesis |
| 11 -12 | REVISION AND EXAMINATION |
| Term | Third Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | REVISION OFLAST TERM’S WORK HUMAN REPRODUCTION – I | I. Meaning of Menstruation, Menstrual Hygiene, Cleanliness during Menstruation II. Ovulation, Signs of Ovulation and the difficulty in predicting the Ovulation Period III. Fertilization and Conception. |
| 2 | HUMAN REPRODUCTION – II | I. Explain pregnancy II. Symptoms of Pregnancy and where to get help III. Growth of the Foetus (Stages, from Growth to Birth) |
| 3 | FORCES | I. Meaning and Types of Forces II. Contact and Non – Contact Forces III. Magnetic and Gravitational Force |
| 4 | CALCULATIONSOF GRAVITATIONAL FORCE | I. Balance and Unbalanced Forces II. Friction – Uses, Advantages and Disadvantages |
| 5 | SPACE TRAVEL | I. Meaning and Purpose of Space Travel II. Benefits and Dangers of Space Travel |
| 6 | GRAVITATION AND WEIGHTLESSNESS | I. Explain Gravitation and Weightlessness II. Effects of Gravitation on Objects III. Demonstrate the Effect of gravitational Pull on Objects |
| 7 -8 | EARTH IN SPACE | I. The Solar System (Identify the Components of the Solar System) II. Rotation and Revolution of the Earth and Moon III. Description of Eclipse and Seasons |
| 9 | SATELITES | I. Meaning of Satellites II. Uses of Satellites – Communication, Photography, Mapping, Geographical Information System (GIS) |
| 10 | CONSEQUENCES/IMPLICATION OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY | I. Physical, Social and Emotional Implication. II. Effects of Drugs and Self Medication during Pregnancy. III. Effects of Drugs Abuse on Pregnancy IV. Causes and Consequences of Birth defects V. Myths and Facts about Teenage Pregnancy VI. Finding Help |
| 11 -12 | REVISION AND EXAMINATION |
The following are recommended Basic science textbooks for J.S.S.1.
