National 5 Engineering Science — key links + weekly unit blocks

GoalUse real examples to explain engineering roles, constraints, and impacts.

• Week 1 — Course intro; engineering roles + disciplines

  W/C Mon 01 Jun 2026

  Test: —

  Done

  Can describe different engineering roles; can match roles to real projects; can explain design constraints (cost, safety, materials, environment).

• Week 2 — Impacts of engineering; simple case study

  W/C Mon 08 Jun 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Roles/Contexts

  Done

  Can explain positive/negative impacts with examples; can justify a design choice using impact factors; can use correct engineering vocabulary.

GoalBreak systems into IPO parts and show control clearly using standard diagrams.

• Week 3 — Systems thinking: IPO; sub-systems; boundaries; block diagrams

  W/C Mon 15 Jun 2026

  Test: —

  Done

  Can identify inputs, processes, outputs; can break a system into sub-systems; can draw a clear systems diagram using standard conventions.

• Week 4 — Control diagrams; open/closed loop; feedback; sensors/actuators overview

  W/C Mon 22 Jun 2026

  Test: —

  Done

  Can label sensor/controller/actuator; can explain feedback in simple terms; can recognise open vs closed loop control.

• Week 5 — Systems consolidation + short design task; tidy notes/skills

  W/C Mon 29 Jun 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Systems + End-of-term checkpoint

  Done

  Can produce a full systems + control diagram for a scenario; can explain how control improves performance; can check diagrams for clarity and correctness.

• Weeks 6–11 — Summer Holidays

  Jul–Aug 2026

  Test: —

  Hidden by default

  No teaching (school holidays).

• Week 12 — Course Restart (baseline quiz; reset expectations)

  W/C Mon 17 Aug 2026

  Test: SHORT/REDUCED (return mid-week)

  Can recall key Roles/Systems ideas; can improve quiz score using corrections; can set personal targets for the year.

GoalUse energy ideas (work done, efficiency, Sankey/audit diagrams) with correct units and sensible explanations.

• Week 13 — Types of energy; work done; units; basic calculations

  W/C Mon 24 Aug 2026

  Done

  Can state energy types with examples; can calculate work done from force and distance (as required); can use correct units consistently.

• Week 14 — KE/PE; electrical + heat energy in systems

  W/C Mon 31 Aug 2026

  Done

  Can explain where energy is stored and transferred; can identify KE vs PE in scenarios; can describe useful vs wasted energy.

• Week 15 — Efficiency; Sankey/audit diagrams; consolidation

  W/C Mon 07 Sep 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Energy

  Done

  Can draw/interpret a Sankey/audit diagram; can calculate or compare efficiency; can suggest realistic improvements to reduce wasted energy.

GoalBuild, test, and explain circuits confidently (measurements, Ohm’s law, dividers, sensors, transistor switching).

• Week 16 — Components + symbols; measuring V/I/R safely; Ohm’s law practical

  W/C Mon 14 Sep 2026

  Done

  Can identify key components by symbol; can measure V and I correctly; can use V=IR to find missing values.

• Week 17 — Series/parallel; resistance patterns; build + test circuits

  W/C Mon 21 Sep 2026

  Done

  Can predict how I and V behave in series vs parallel; can explain resistance changes; can check results against predictions.

• Week 18 — Combined circuits; power (P=IV); interpreting tables/graphs

  W/C Mon 28 Sep 2026

  Done

  Can calculate power in simple circuits; can extract info from tables/graphs; can explain discrepancies (measurement error, tolerance).

• Week 19 — Voltage dividers; LDR/thermistor; transistor as switch; “explain a circuit”

  W/C Mon 05 Oct 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Electronics

  Done

  Can set up/interpret a voltage divider; can explain how sensors change output; can describe transistor switching in simple terms with correct labels.

• Week 20 — October Holidays

  W/C Mon 12 Oct 2026

  Hidden by default

  No teaching (October holiday).

GoalUse truth tables, logic diagrams, and simple Boolean expressions to solve control problems.

• Week 21 — Logic intro; gates + truth tables (basic); apply to control

  W/C Mon 19 Oct 2026

  Test: SHORT/REDUCED (return after holiday)

  Can name common gates and symbols; can complete a simple truth table; can connect logic to a control problem (e.g., safety interlock).

• Week 22 — Truth tables → Boolean expressions; combining gates; checking outputs

  W/C Mon 26 Oct 2026

  Done

  Can convert a circuit to a truth table; can write a simple Boolean expression; can test an answer by checking all input states.

• Week 23 — Combinational logic; design briefs; reduce errors systematically

  W/C Mon 02 Nov 2026

  Done

  Can build/trace a combinational logic solution; can test systematically (all input states); can clearly present working and final output.

• Week 24 — Logic diagrams; fault-finding and improvement; exam-style questions

  W/C Mon 09 Nov 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Logic

  Done

  Can draw a correct logic diagram from a truth table; can spot and fix common mistakes; can write clear, step-by-step solutions.

GoalRead pneumatic symbols, build working circuits safely, and explain behaviour clearly.

• Week 25 — Symbols; valves/actuators; safe setup; basic circuits

  W/C Mon 16 Nov 2026

  Done

  Can identify core pneumatic components and symbols; can describe valve states and flow paths; can build a simple working circuit from a diagram.

• Week 26 — Time delay; AND/OR control; automatic circuits; link to logic

  W/C Mon 23 Nov 2026

  Done

  Can describe AND/OR control in pneumatics; can interpret a time-delay function; can explain circuit behaviour using correct terminology.

• Week 27 — Forces in a cylinder; investigation; consolidation

  W/C Mon 30 Nov 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Pneumatics (REDUCED: St Andrew’s Day)

  Can calculate cylinder force using pressure and area (as required); can relate force to practical performance; can record results clearly and safely.

GoalUse moments, beams and gears with correct diagrams, units, and sensible explanations.

• Week 28 — Equilibrium; moments; free-body diagrams; practical examples

  W/C Mon 07 Dec 2026

  Done

  Can draw a clear FBD; can apply moments to balance problems; can check answers for sense and units.

• Week 29 — Beam reactions; stress/strain; materials choices

  W/C Mon 14 Dec 2026

  Done

  Can identify forces on a beam; can explain stress vs strain; can justify a materials choice using properties.

• Week 30 — Gears; gear ratios; speed/torque trade-offs; consolidation

  W/C Mon 21 Dec 2026

  Test: Unit Test: Mechanisms (SHORT/REDUCED)

  Can calculate or compare gear ratios; can predict speed/torque changes; can explain why a gear system is chosen for a task.

GoalStrengthen exam technique: command words, clear working, units, and time management.

• Week 32 — Mixed-topic retrieval; targeted fixes

  W/C Mon 04 Jan 2027

  Test: SHORT/REDUCED

  Can identify weak areas; can improve answers using marking points; can manage time across mixed questions.

• Week 33 — Timed practice; calculator + units accuracy

  W/C Mon 11 Jan 2027

  Done

  Can complete under timed conditions; can show working clearly; can reduce unit/significant-figure mistakes.

• Week 34 — Prelim assessment window

  W/C Mon 18 Jan 2027

  Test: Prelims

  Done

  Can apply knowledge across units; can show full working; can use feedback to list next-step priorities.

GoalUse flowcharts and simple programs to control sensors/actuators and debug systematically.

• Week 35 — Flowcharts; sequencing; IPO in code; simple program logic

  W/C Mon 25 Jan 2027

  Done

  Can read/write a basic flowchart; can explain program steps; can identify inputs/outputs in a control program.

• Week 36 — Microcontrollers; programming basics; testing/debugging routine

  W/C Mon 01 Feb 2027

  Done

  Can upload/run a simple program; can explain what each block does; can use a debugging checklist (change one thing, retest, record).

• Week 37 — February Holiday

  W/C Mon 08 Feb 2027

  Hidden by default

  No teaching (mid-term holiday).

• Week 38 — Apply microcontrollers; sensor/actuator linking; consolidation

  W/C Mon 15 Feb 2027

  Test: Unit Test: Microcontrollers (SHORT/REDUCED)

  Can design a basic control program; can describe how sensors affect outputs; can test and refine based on results.

GoalFollow an assignment-style plan, gather valid evidence, and write up clearly with references to results.

• Week 39 — Practice assignment: plan → build/test → evidence capture

  W/C Mon 22 Feb 2027

  Checkpoint: Teacher Checkpoint

  Done

  Can follow a plan; can gather suitable evidence (photos/data/screens); can evaluate performance against requirements.

• Week 40 — Timed write-up; improvements using feedback

  W/C Mon 01 Mar 2027

  Checkpoint: Teacher Checkpoint

  Done

  Can structure answers like the SQA assignment; can reference evidence properly; can improve a draft using specific feedback actions.

• Week 41 — Course assignment: brief; plan; risk/safety; start evidence

  W/C Mon 08 Mar 2027

  Checkpoint: Internal Verification

  Done

  Can interpret the brief; can produce a clear plan; can start gathering valid evidence linked to criteria.

• Week 42 — Evidence gathering + analysis; keep records consistent

  W/C Mon 15 Mar 2027

  Checkpoint: Internal Verification

  Done

  Can record results/data clearly; can explain what evidence shows; can make justified improvements based on testing.

• Week 43 — Complete build/test/evidence; draft final write-up

  W/C Mon 22 Mar 2027

  Note: REDUCED week

  Can finish required evidence; can link decisions to results; can write conclusions that match the data.

• Week 44 — Submit final assignment; IV; mop-up/absence catch-up

  W/C Mon 29 Mar 2027

  Checkpoint: Submission Window

  Done

  Can submit a complete assignment; can label/reference evidence; can check against a submission checklist.

GoalMix short questions, calculations, and diagram interpretation — fix weak areas and avoid repeat errors.

• Weeks 45–46 — Easter Holidays

  Apr 2027

  Hidden by default

  No teaching (Easter holiday).

• Week 47 — Mixed revision: short questions + calculations + diagrams

  W/C Mon 19 Apr 2027

  Done

  Can answer a mix of command words; can interpret diagrams accurately; can self-correct using model answers.

• Week 48 — Full practice paper + feedback clinics; common traps

  W/C Mon 26 Apr 2027

  Test: Practice Paper (optional)

  Done

  Can improve using feedback; can manage time per section; can avoid repeat errors (units, missing steps, misreading).

• Week 49 — Final revision clinic: weakest areas + confidence boost

  W/C Mon 03 May 2027

  Note: SHORT/REDUCED

  Can prioritise key topics; can complete must-get questions reliably; can explain an improvement strategy per weak area.

• Weeks 50–53 — Study leave / exam support (drop-ins; targeted packs)

  May 2027

  Done

  Can independently attempt exam-style questions; can ask for help using precise questions; can use a revision routine (attempt → check → correct → redo).