Glossary: Terms Starting with S
193 definitions in Science with links to the lessons that teach each word.
Showing Science only. Show all subjects
safe
ScienceFrom Grade 1
not likely to hurt you
Learn it in: Science safety rules (Grade 1), Basic personal safety (Grade 1), Safe machine use (Grade 2)
safe distance
ScienceFrom Grade 1
far enough away to stay safe
Learn it in: Domestic and wild animals (Grade 1)
safety factor
ScienceFrom Grade 5
extra strength built in for safety
Learn it in: Testing structures (Grade 5)
saliva
ScienceFrom Grade 3
liquid in the mouth that starts digestion
Learn it in: Digestion introduction (Grade 3)
sandpaper
ScienceFrom Grade 1
paper with rough grains used to smooth wood
Learn it in: Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1)
satellite
ScienceFrom Grade 4
an object that orbits a planet
Learn it in: The Moon (Grade 4), The Moon (Grade 5), Gravity in the Solar System (Grade 5)
saturated air
ScienceFrom Grade 5
air holding all the vapour it can
Learn it in: Evaporation and condensation (Grade 5)
savanna
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a warm grassland with scattered trees
Learn it in: Grassland habitats (Grade 2)
scale
ScienceFrom Grade 2
how big something is compared to real life
Learn it in: Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2), Temperature (Grade 2), Fish (Grade 3)
scales
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the small hard plates on fish and reptiles
Learn it in: Common animals (Grade 1)
scatter
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to spread things in different directions
Learn it in: Fruits and seeds (Grade 1), Translucent materials (Grade 4)
science
ScienceFrom Grade 1
finding out about the world by looking, asking and trying
Learn it in: What is science? (Grade 1)
scientist
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a person who finds out about the world
Learn it in: What is science? (Grade 1)
screw
ScienceFrom Grade 4
an inclined plane wrapped around a rod
Learn it in: Inclined planes (Grade 4)
SDG
ScienceFrom Grade 6
one of 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015
Learn it in: Sustainable development (Grade 6)
season
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a part of the year with its own weather
Learn it in: Weather changes (Grade 1), Seasonal changes (Grade 2), Seasonal patterns (Grade 3)
seat belt
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a strap that keeps you safe in a vehicle
Learn it in: Science in transportation (Grade 2), Practical applications (Grade 6)
sediment
ScienceFrom Grade 4
small bits of rock and soil carried by water or wind
sedimentary
ScienceFrom Grade 3
rock formed from layers of settled material
Learn it in: Rocks (Grade 3), Rock formation introduction (Grade 4)
seed
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the small part of a plant that can grow into a new plant
Learn it in: Plants as living organisms (Grade 1), Fruits and seeds (Grade 1), Seed formation (Grade 3)
seedling
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a young plant that has just grown from a seed
Learn it in: Growth and change (Grade 1), Caring for plants (Grade 1), Seedling growth (Grade 2)
sense
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a way the body finds out about the world
Learn it in: The five senses (Grade 1)
senses
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the ways we find out about things: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch
Learn it in: Using our senses to observe (Grade 1)
series circuit
ScienceFrom Grade 6
components joined one after another in a single loop
Learn it in: Series circuits (Grade 6)
shade
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a cooler place out of the direct sunlight
Learn it in: Plants in our environment (Grade 1), Uses of plants (Grade 1), Plants and animals in our environment (Grade 1)
shade plant
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a plant that grows well with little light
Learn it in: Plants in habitats (Grade 2)
shadow
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a dark shape made when an object blocks light
Learn it in: Shadows (Grade 1), Light and shadows (Grade 2), Shadows (Grade 4)
shape
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the outline of a thing, like a circle or a square
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1), Solids (Grade 3)
shear
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a sliding force between layers
Learn it in: Forces acting on structures (Grade 5)
shell
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the hard outside of some seeds and nuts
Learn it in: Fruits and seeds (Grade 1), Chicken life cycle (Grade 2)
shelter
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a safe place to live
Learn it in: Basic needs of living things (Grade 1), Animal shelters (Grade 1), Weather safety (Grade 1)
shoot
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a new young stem that grows up
Learn it in: Plants as living organisms (Grade 1), Seed germination (Grade 2)
short circuit
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a path with very little resistance that can overheat
Learn it in: Simple circuits (Grade 6)
sight
ScienceFrom Grade 1
seeing with our eyes
Learn it in: Using our senses to observe (Grade 1), The five senses (Grade 1)
simple growth
ScienceFrom Grade 2
growing bigger without changing shape much
Learn it in: Comparing life cycles (Grade 2)
simple machine
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a tool that makes work easier
Learn it in: Wheels and axles (Grade 2), Simple machines in everyday life (Grade 2), Mechanical advantage introduction (Grade 4)
size
ScienceFrom Grade 1
how big or small a thing is
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1)
skeleton
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the frame of bones in the body
Learn it in: Vertebrates and invertebrates (Grade 3), Human skeleton (Grade 4), Skeletal system (Grade 5)
sketch
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a quick drawing of an idea
Learn it in: Designing simple solutions (Grade 3), Designing prototypes (Grade 5), Creating models (Grade 6)
skull
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the bone that protects the brain
Learn it in: The brain (Grade 3), Major bones (Grade 4), Skeletal system (Grade 5)
sky
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the space above us that we see outside
Learn it in: Observing the sky (Grade 1)
slate
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a metamorphic rock that splits into sheets
Learn it in: Uses of rocks (Grade 3)
sleep
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the time at night when the body rests
Learn it in: Exercise and rest (Grade 1), Healthy lifestyles (Grade 5)
slippery
ScienceFrom Grade 1
so smooth that things slide
Learn it in: Movement on different surfaces (Grade 1)
slither
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to move like a snake, with a curving body
Learn it in: Animal movement (Grade 1)
slow
ScienceFrom Grade 1
moving a short way in a long time
Learn it in: Fast and slow movement (Grade 1), Changing speed (Grade 2)
small intestine
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the long tube where nutrients enter the blood
Learn it in: The intestines (Grade 3), Digestive system (Grade 5)
smoke
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a cloud of tiny particles from burning
Learn it in: Clean and dirty environments (Grade 1)
smooth
ScienceFrom Grade 1
even, with no bumps
Learn it in: Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1), Friction (Grade 2), Friction (Grade 3)
soap
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a cleaner that helps wash away dirt and germs
Learn it in: Handwashing (Grade 1)
soft
ScienceFrom Grade 1
easy to press or squeeze
Learn it in: Hard and soft materials (Grade 1), Loud and soft sounds (Grade 1)
soil
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the loose earth where plants grow
Learn it in: Roots (Grade 1), What plants need to grow (Grade 1), Science in farming (Grade 2)
solar cell
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a device that turns sunlight into electricity
Learn it in: Electrical energy sources (Grade 4)
solar eclipse
ScienceFrom Grade 4
the Moon blocks the Sun’s light
Learn it in: Earth–Sun–Moon relationships (Grade 4)
solar energy
ScienceFrom Grade 4
energy from the Sun
Learn it in: The Sun (Grade 4), Renewable resources (Grade 6)
solar panel
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a device that turns sunlight into electricity
Learn it in: Energy applications (Grade 5)
solar system
ScienceFrom Grade 4
the Sun and the objects that orbit it
solid
ScienceFrom Grade 2
matter that keeps its own shape
Learn it in: What is matter? (Grade 2), Solids (Grade 3), Melting (Grade 4)
solstice
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the day with the longest or shortest daylight
Learn it in: Seasons (Grade 6)
solution
ScienceFrom Grade 2
an answer to a problem
Learn it in: Solving community problems (Grade 2), What is engineering? (Grade 3), Dissolving (Grade 4)
sort
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to put things into groups
Learn it in: Sorting and grouping objects (Grade 1), What are materials (Grade 1), Organising observations (Grade 2)
sound
ScienceFrom Grade 1
what we hear
Learn it in: Animal sounds (Grade 1), What is sound (Grade 1), Sources of sound (Grade 2)
source
ScienceFrom Grade 1
where something comes from
Learn it in: What is light (Grade 1), Sources of sound (Grade 1), Water sources (Grade 2)
source of error
ScienceFrom Grade 4
something that may have affected the result
Learn it in: Evaluating investigations (Grade 4)
space
ScienceFrom Grade 2
the room that something takes up
Learn it in: Evidence that air occupies space (Grade 2), Matter (Grade 3), Habitat relationships (Grade 3)
specialised
ScienceFrom Grade 6
adapted for a particular job
Learn it in: Multicellular organisms (Grade 6)
specialised cell
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a cell adapted for a particular job
Learn it in: Animal cells (Grade 6)
species
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a group of living things that can breed together
Learn it in: Biodiversity (Grade 5), Biodiversity (Grade 6), Classification of organisms (Grade 6)
specification
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a detailed list of requirements
Learn it in: Design criteria (Grade 6)
speed
ScienceFrom Grade 1
how fast something moves
Learn it in: Fast and slow movement (Grade 1), Changing speed (Grade 2), Speed (Grade 6)
sperm cell
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the male sex cell
Learn it in: Reproductive system introduction (Grade 6)
spin
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to turn around and around
Learn it in: Moving objects (Grade 1), Day and night (Grade 1)
spinal cord
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a bundle of nerves in the backbone
Learn it in: Nervous system introduction (Grade 5)
spine
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a sharp, pointed part on a plant
Learn it in: Plants in habitats (Grade 2), Plant adaptations (Grade 3), Posture (Grade 4)
splinter
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a small sharp piece of wood that can hurt the skin
Learn it in: Wood (Grade 1)
spore
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a tiny cell that grows into a new plant or fungus
Learn it in: Flowering and non-flowering plants (Grade 6)
spring balance
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a tool that measures force
Learn it in: Measuring simple effects of forces (Grade 3), Contact forces (Grade 5)
stability
ScienceFrom Grade 4
the ability to stay upright
Learn it in: Strength and stability (Grade 4)
stack
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to place on top of each other
Learn it in: Comparing solids and liquids (Grade 2)
stage
ScienceFrom Grade 1
one step in a series of changes
Learn it in: Growth and change (Grade 1), Plant life cycles (Grade 2)
stakeholder
ScienceFrom Grade 6
someone affected by a decision
Learn it in: Sustainable development (Grade 6)
star
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a very far-away Sun in the night sky
Learn it in: Natural light sources (Grade 1), The Sun (Grade 4), The Sun as a star (Grade 5)
star trail
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a circular streak made by stars in a long photo
Learn it in: Earth’s rotation (Grade 6)
starch
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a stored form of sugar in plants
Learn it in: Plant food production (Grade 5)
state of matter
ScienceFrom Grade 3
solid, liquid or gas
Learn it in: Comparing states of matter (Grade 3)
static electricity
ScienceFrom Grade 5
charge built up on a surface
Learn it in: Non-contact forces (Grade 5)
steel
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a mix of iron and other materials
Learn it in: Magnetic materials (Grade 3), Materials for construction (Grade 4)
stem
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the part of a plant that holds up the leaves and flowers
Learn it in: Stems (Grade 1), Reviewing plant parts (Grade 2), Plant structure (Grade 3)
stomach
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a muscular bag that holds and mixes food
Learn it in: The stomach (Grade 3)
stopwatch
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a clock that measures short times
Learn it in: Scientific equipment (Grade 3)
store
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to keep for later
Learn it in: Everyday uses of solids and liquids (Grade 2), Plant food production (Grade 5)
storm
ScienceFrom Grade 1
bad weather with strong wind, rain and thunder
Learn it in: Weather safety (Grade 1), Wind (Grade 2), Extreme weather (Grade 3)
streamlined
ScienceFrom Grade 6
shaped to reduce resistance
Learn it in: Friction (Grade 6), Air resistance (Grade 6)
strength
ScienceFrom Grade 4
how much load something can bear without breaking
Learn it in: Strength and stability (Grade 4)
stretch
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to make longer by pulling
Learn it in: Changing the shape of materials (Grade 2), Measuring simple effects of forces (Grade 3)
string
ScienceFrom Grade 4
instruments with vibrating strings
Learn it in: Musical instruments (Grade 4)
strong
ScienceFrom Grade 1
not easy to break
Learn it in: Metal (Grade 1), Properties of solids (Grade 2), Materials and structures (Grade 3)
structure
ScienceFrom Grade 3
something built to hold or support
Learn it in: Materials and structures (Grade 3), Functions of bones (Grade 4), Structures (Grade 4)
subsoil
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the layer below topsoil
Learn it in: Soil (Grade 3), Soil formation (Grade 4)
suffix
ScienceFrom Grade 6
letters added to the end of a word
Learn it in: Scientific vocabulary review (Grade 6)
sugar
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a sweet food that is bad for teeth in large amounts
Learn it in: Healthy food (Grade 1)
suitable
ScienceFrom Grade 1
right for the job
Learn it in: Choosing materials for different purposes (Grade 1)
sunburn
ScienceFrom Grade 2
sore red skin from too much sun
Learn it in: Weather safety (Grade 2), The Sun (Grade 4)
sundial
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a clock that uses a shadow to show time
Learn it in: Shadows during the day (Grade 4)
sunrise
ScienceFrom Grade 1
when the Sun first appears in the morning
Learn it in: Day and night (Grade 1), Day and night (Grade 4), Earth’s rotation (Grade 5)
sunscreen
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a cream that protects the skin from the Sun
Learn it in: Sunny weather (Grade 1)
sunset
ScienceFrom Grade 1
when the Sun goes down in the evening
Learn it in: Day and night (Grade 1), Day and night (Grade 4)
sunspot
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a cooler dark patch on the Sun
Learn it in: The Sun as a star (Grade 5), The Sun (Grade 6)
support
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to agree with or show to be right
Learn it in: Explaining results (Grade 2), Stem functions (Grade 3), Interpreting evidence (Grade 4)
supported
ScienceFrom Grade 3
shown to be right by evidence
Learn it in: Drawing conclusions (Grade 3), Testable predictions (Grade 4), Hypotheses and predictions (Grade 6)
surface
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the top of something
Learn it in: Movement on different surfaces (Grade 1), Leaf functions (Grade 3)
surface area
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the size of the exposed surface
Learn it in: Evaporation (Grade 3), Evaporation (Grade 4), Dissolving (Grade 5)
surface tension
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the stretchy skin on a liquid surface
Learn it in: Liquids (Grade 6)
surroundings
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the things and places around us
Learn it in: Living things in our surroundings (Grade 1), What is the environment (Grade 1)
suspension
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a mixture with solid bits spread in a liquid
Learn it in: Mixtures (Grade 5)
sustainable
ScienceFrom Grade 3
able to continue without harming nature
Learn it in: Material selection (Grade 3), Ecosystem protection (Grade 3), Human impacts (Grade 4)
sustainable development
ScienceFrom Grade 6
meeting needs today without harming the future
Learn it in: Sustainable development (Grade 6)
sustainable use
ScienceFrom Grade 5
using resources without using them up
Learn it in: Ecosystem conservation (Grade 5)
sweep
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to clean the floor with a broom
Learn it in: Keeping our environment clean (Grade 1)
switch
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a device that opens or closes a circuit
Learn it in: Switches (Grade 4), Electrical energy (Grade 5), Circuit components (Grade 6)
symbol
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a simple picture that stands for something
Learn it in: What is weather (Grade 1), Daily weather observations (Grade 2), Weather observations (Grade 3)
system
ScienceFrom Grade 5
parts that work together
Learn it in: Earth’s major systems (Grade 5), Human body systems (Grade 6)