Quebec · Secondary 3
Science and Technology, Secondary 3
- 555-306
Quebec’s Secondary 3 science course, from The Material World to The Technological World.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 19
- Skills
- 34
- Provincial exam
- 50% of the final mark
- Official curriculum
- quebec.ca
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 13 skills
The Material World
Solutions, solubility and concentration
Solubility and its limits
I can define solubility, describe how temperature changes it, and identify a substance by a physical constant.
Skill 1.1
Concentration of a solution
I can define concentration and calculate it in g/L or as a percentage.
Skill 1.2
Density
I can explain density, determine it, and use it to identify a substance.
Skill 1.3
The particle model
The particle model and its limits
I can use the particle model to represent matter and state what a model can and cannot do.
Skill 1.4
Dissolution and dilution
I can explain dissolution and dilution with the particle model and calculate a dilution.
Skill 1.5
Phase changes with the particle model
I can explain phase changes in terms of particle motion and spacing.
Skill 1.6
Chemical reactions
Decomposition, synthesis and oxidation
I can represent decomposition, synthesis, and oxidation reactions and find them in the body and the world.
Skill 1.7
Precipitation reactions
I can describe and represent a precipitation reaction.
Skill 1.8
Forms of energy
Forms of energy and transformations
I can name forms of energy, identify transformations, and use the joule as the energy unit.
Skill 1.9
Pure substances and mixtures in the body
Pure substances, elements and compounds
I can distinguish pure substances (elements and compounds) from mixtures, including in the body.
Skill 1.10
Fluids and pressure
Pressure in fluids
I can define pressure and describe how it behaves in gases and in the human body.
Skill 1.11
Waves and optics
Waves, sound and the spectrum
I can relate frequency, wavelength, and amplitude to sound and place waves on the spectrum.
Skill 1.12
Reflection, refraction and lenses
I can describe reflection and refraction and how lenses bend light to a focal point.
Skill 1.13
The official wording · 13 outcomes
- 1.1
- Defines the concept of solubility
- 1.2
- Defines the concept of the concentration of a solution
- 1.3
- Explains the concept of density
- 1.4
- Defines the particle model as a means of representing the behaviour of matter
- 1.5
- Explains dissolution using the particle model
- 1.6
- Explains phase changes using the particle model
- 1.7
- Names chemical changes that occur in the human body
- 1.8
- Describes the visible manifestation of precipitation
- 1.9
- Describes different forms of energy
- 1.10
- Defines a pure substance as a substance made up of a single type of atom or molecule
- 1.11
- Defines pressure as the force exerted by particles when they collide with a constricting surface
- 1.12
- Defines the frequency of a wave as the number of cycles per second (Hz)
- 1.13
- Describes how light rays are deviated by a plane reflective surface
Key ideas
Solubility is the maximum mass of a solute that dissolves in a given amount of solvent.
The particle model represents matter as tiny particles in motion — a tool, not a photograph.
Decomposition breaks a substance apart; synthesis combines substances; oxidation combines with oxygen.
Forms of energy: chemical, thermal, mechanical, radiation.
A pure substance is one type of atom or molecule; an element is one type of atom, a compound is two or more bonded.
Watch out for
- Thinking any amount of solute will keep dissolving forever.
- Thinking the particle model shows the literal shape and colour of particles.
- Thinking atoms are created or destroyed in a reaction.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 12 skills
The Living World
Organization of the living body
Cells, tissues, organs and systems
I can describe how the body is organized from cells up to systems and name its main functions.
Skill 2.1
The digestive system
The digestive tract and glands
I can name the parts of the digestive tract and digestive glands and describe their functions.
Skill 2.2
Food constituents and their transformation
I can describe the food constituents and how food is transformed mechanically and chemically.
Skill 2.3
Respiration and the blood
The respiratory system
I can name the parts of the respiratory system and explain gas exchange.
Skill 2.4
Blood: plasma and formed elements
I can describe the parts of blood and determine blood-type compatibility.
Skill 2.5
Circulation, immunity and excretion
The circulatory and lymphatic systems
I can describe the circulatory and lymphatic systems and how active immunity is acquired.
Skill 2.6
The urinary and excretory system
I can describe the urinary system and how the body maintains a balanced metabolism.
Skill 2.7
The nervous system and the senses
Central and peripheral nervous systems
I can describe the central and peripheral nervous systems and how nerve impulses travel.
Skill 2.8
The sense organs
I can describe the sense organs and how each detects its stimulus.
Skill 2.9
The musculoskeletal system
The skeleton, muscles and joints
I can describe the skeleton, muscles, and joints and how they produce movement.
Skill 2.10
Cell division and DNA
DNA, mitosis and meiosis
I can describe DNA and distinguish mitosis from meiosis and their roles.
Skill 2.11
Puberty and reproductive physiology
I can describe the changes at puberty and the hormonal control of reproduction.
Skill 2.12
The official wording · 12 outcomes
- 2.1
- Defines a tissue as a set of identical or different cells that work together
- 2.2
- Names the main parts of the digestive tract
- 2.3
- Describes the main biological functions of the different food constituents
- 2.4
- Names the main parts of the respiratory system
- 2.5
- Describes the main function of plasma
- 2.6
- Names the main parts of the circulatory system
- 2.7
- Names the main parts of the urinary system
- 2.8
- Identifies the parts of the central nervous system
- 2.9
- Names the parts of the eye involved in vision
- 2.10
- Names the main parts of the skeleton
- 2.11
- Describes the shape of DNA
- 2.12
- Describes physical and psychological changes that occur at puberty
Key ideas
Cells form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form biological systems.
The tract runs mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus.
The system runs nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs.
The circulatory system (heart, vessels, pulmonary and systemic circulation) transports gases, nutrients, and waste.
The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral system carries impulses to and from it.
Watch out for
- Thinking an organ and a tissue are the same thing.
- Thinking digestion happens only in the stomach.
- Thinking we breathe in only oxygen and out only carbon dioxide.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 3 skills
The Earth and Space
Geological time and fossils
Rock strata and geological time
I can explain how strata form and order the main divisions of geological time.
Skill 3.1
Fossils and dating
I can explain what fossils are and how they date rock layers.
Skill 3.2
Distances and life in space
Astronomical distances and conditions for life
I can use astronomical distance units and describe the conditions that support life.
Skill 3.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 3.1
- Explains the formation of strata in terms of the layering of sediment
- 3.2
- Defines fossils as traces of organisms preserved for the most part in sedimentary rock
- 3.3
- Defines an astronomical unit as the unit of length corresponding to the average distance between the Earth and the Sun
Key ideas
Strata form as sediment layers build up — recent layers sit on older ones.
An astronomical unit is the average Earth-Sun distance; a light year is the distance light travels in one Earth year.
The geological time scale orders Earth's history; life appeared and diversified across it, with mass extinctions along the way.
Life needs conditions like a gaseous atmosphere, water, and an energy source.
This also covers: places in order the main divisions of the geological time scale; describes events associated with the main divisions; locates the appearance or evolution of living organisms on the geological time scale; locates periods of mass extinction.
Watch out for
- Thinking all rock layers formed at the same time.
- Thinking a light year measures time, not distance.
- Thinking humans coexisted with the dinosaurs.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 6 skills
The Technological World
Technical drawing and projection
Choosing diagrams and reading lines
I can choose the right diagram type and read the basic lines of a technical drawing.
Skill 4.1
Projection and scale
I can interpret and produce multiview, isometric, and cross-sectional drawings at scale.
Skill 4.2
Links and mechanical systems
Links and typical functions
I can describe the links in an object and the typical functions parts perform.
Skill 4.3
Motion transmission and transformation
I can describe motion transmission and transformation systems and how they change speed or direction.
Skill 4.4
Materials and biotechnology
Material constraints and properties
I can describe the constraints on an object and the material properties that resist them.
Skill 4.5
Biotechnology processes
I can describe common biotechnology processes and their purposes.
Skill 4.6
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 4.1
- Chooses the appropriate type of diagram for a given representation
- 4.2
- Associates the types of projection with their use
- 4.3
- Describes the advantages and disadvantages of different types of links
- 4.4
- Names motion transmission systems in technical objects
- 4.5
- Describes the constraints to which different technical objects are subject: tension, compression, torsion
- 4.6
- Describes the pasteurization process
Key ideas
Choose a construction diagram for assembly and a diagram of principles for operation; symbols show types of motion.
Links join parts; each type has advantages and disadvantages and a place it is used.
Objects face constraints: tension, compression, torsion.
Basic lines (visible contour, hidden contour, centre, extension, dimension) carry specific meaning.
Typical functions are linking, guiding, sealing, and lubricating.
Watch out for
- Thinking every line on a technical drawing means the same thing.
- Thinking all links are permanent.
- Thinking one material is best for every job.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The mark you need
Your class mark counts for 50% of the final mark, the exam for 50%. Quebec may moderate your class mark before it’s blended.
You need
65% on the exam
With 75% in class, your final mark lands between 37.5% (0 on the exam) and 87.5% (100% on it).
The official curriculum
This page follows Quebec’s own curriculum for Science and Technology, Secondary 3.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Science and Technology, Secondary 3 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Science and Technology, Secondary 3 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 33
- Fillable fields
- 1,491
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Science and Technology, Secondary 3
What is Science and Technology, Secondary 3?
Quebec’s Secondary 3 science course: 4 units and 34 skills, from The Material World to The Technological World.
What units are in Science and Technology, Secondary 3?
1. The Material World, 2. The Living World, 3. The Earth and Space and 4. The Technological World.
Is there a provincial exam for Science and Technology, Secondary 3?
Yes. The Science and Technology, Secondary IV, theory component counts for 50% of the final mark. Next sitting: January 20, 2027.
What comes after Science and Technology, Secondary 3?
Applied Science and Technology, Secondary Cycle Two, Environmental Science and Technology, Secondary 4, Science and the Environment, Secondary 4 and Science and Technology, Secondary 4.
Can MapleMind help with Science and Technology, Secondary 3?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Science and Technology, Secondary 3, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Science and Technology, Secondary 3
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