Science
Science ..... Striving to comprehend the Universe
Click below to see the report on the recent Science Day
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler." Albert Einstein
Science strives to explain how all aspects of the Universe function, through this understanding we are then able to predict future events, e.g. an understanding of Gravity will allow us to predict that an apple will fall to the Earth when it drops from a tree............. it will also allow us to predict when and if the Universe will end.
"The most important fundamental laws and facts of physical science have all been discovered, and these are now so firmly established that the possibility of their ever being supplemented in consequence of new discoveries is exceedingly remote." Albert Michelson at the turn of the last century. Since then we have split the atom, unlocked the secrets of DNA and realised that the Universe is finite and curved.
Sometimes scientists get it wrong, or alternatively they make approximations. We hope to give you a thorough knowledge base of all three sciences and the natural links between them. On a more fundamental basis we hope to develop that spark of curiosity which we all have regarding why things happen and how they work.
"There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature," Stephen Hawking
But he may need you to help him.
The Curriculum
The syllabus is based on the National Curriculum. From Upper 3 (Year 7) to Lower 4 (Year 8) the girls are taught in mixed ability groups with their teacher teaching all three sciences. The topics taught are summarised below.
Upper 3 (Year 7); We have just embarked on a new exciting course developed by the ASE. This is called WIKID science and it is a topic based course teaching traditional science topics through their applications e.g. Forensic Science and CSI
Lower 4 (Year 8); We are continuing to follow the WIKID course studying such topics as Studio Magic and Species at War
In Upper 4 (Year 9) we begin studying the first module of the Edexcel GCSE science 2SC01. At this stage the girls are taught the individual subjects separately by specialist teachers. They are split into sets which will be either aiming to sit the three separate sciences at GCSE or Science and Additional Science at GCSE. However in Upper 4 the girls are taught the same topics allowing maximum possibility for set movement.
The topics taught in Upper 4 are:
Biology: Cells, digestion, respiration, ecology, photosynthesis.
Chemistry: Metals, chemical reactions, Earth cycles.
Physics: Waves and oscillations, heat transfer radiation, space and cosmology.
Lower 5 (Year 10) we continue to follow the Edexcel modular science courses
Upper 5 (year 11): at GCSE, we continue to follow the OCR Gateway suite leading to awards in:
GCSE Science (J640)
GCSE Additional Science (J641)
GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics (J643 - 645)
Scheme of Assessment
The Edexcel scheme is modular in nature allowing the girls to spread the exams through the course, the examination sessions on off by the board are November, March and June. The girls will be entered for the relevant modules at the best time appropriate for their learning and managing their workload
The Gateway scheme is also modular. At St Mary's they sit exams in January and June and Upper 5.
GCSE/Module results 2011
The GCSE results go from strength to strength, following our strongest last year with over 85% of the girls achieving A*s and A’s in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with a number of girls achieving 100% in all their modules in all three subjects.
The Lower 5 sat their first set of modules and they also produced an outstanding set of results with over 90% the triple award girls achieving marks equivalent to an A* or A. Numerous girls achieved 100% in at least one of the sciences with some achieving full marks in all three sciences. There were also 50% of A and A* marks attained by the Science and Additional Science girls, some also achieving 100%.
Advanced Level
A’ levels have changed, the girls now follow;
Biology OCR H421
Chemistry OCR H034, H434
Physics OCR H558
Here are a number of questions and answers relating to the study of Science at A Level:
-What basic qualifications do I need before taking this course?
The minimum qualification for this subject is a grade B in either Double Award Science, or Separate Science at GCSE.
-What will I learn on this A level course?
Science at A level aims to:
a) Sustain and develop your enjoyment of, and interest in, Science by providing a well-designed theoretical and practical course. This should be a worthwhile educational experience irrespective of your going on to study Science at a higher level. It should enable you to acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
i) become a confident citizen in an increasingly technological world, able to take or develop an informed interest in matters of scientific import.
ii) recognise the usefulness, and limitation, of scientific method and to appreciate its applicability in other disciplines and everyday life.
iii) be suitably prepared for employment and/or further studies beyond Advanced Subsidiary GCE or Advanced GCE.
b) Develop essential knowledge and understanding in Science and the skills needed for the use of this knowledge and understanding in new and changing situations where appropriate.
c) Develop a link between the theoretical and experimental aspects of the subject.
d) Appreciate how Science has developed and is used in present day society
e) Show how the Sciences links with social, philosophical, economic, industrial and environmental issues.
f) Recognise the quantitative nature of Science and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical, chemical and biological principles.
g) Bring together knowledge of ways in which different areas of Science relate to each other and study how scientific models develop.
h) Begin to appreciate how fundamental laws of Science can be applied to extreme cases throughout the Universe.
What kind of student is this qualification suitable for?
Science at A level is suitable for students who have an interest in, and enjoy Science; want to find out how things work; enjoy applying their minds to solving problems; enjoy carrying out investigations by the application of imaginative, logical thinking and want to use one or more of the Sciences to support other qualifications or progress on to further studies or employment.
AS Level Science is also suitable for students who want to go on to the full A level; have a grounding in a relevant worthwhile qualification of recognised value; broaden their educational experience before making a decision about which A levels to take; are taking other Science subjects and want to take another subject that will support their studies; demonstrate a breadth of interest through the whole curriculum.
What possible careers /courses do student who have studied Science follow?
Science teaching!! Medicine, Veterinary science, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Structural, Nautical, Aeronautical, etc.) Astrophysicist, Astronaut (Do you want to be the first person on Mars?), Geneticist, Meteorologist, Accountant, Actuary, Publishing etc.
In general, Science at A level and beyond is looked upon very favourably by employers and universities, it is perceived to be a very demanding subject. In fact, the reaction you would receive from your friends if you were to suggest to them that you were intending to study one or more of the Sciences would give you some idea how impressive it looks to the general public.
Which skills does Science help develop that Universities/Employers look for?
Problem solving, analytical, numerical, research, ordering thought processes and arguments, working individually and as part of a group, discussing and presenting ideas, planning investigations, carrying through and testing your ideas and presenting them in a suitable way including critically evaluating both the evidence and the technique, drawing, manipulating and interpreting graphs.
How mathematical are the subjects?
Physics is the most mathematical, it is a subject with Mathematics at its core. However, it is only a tool to help use and explain concepts and ideas in Physics. In general you must be able to rearrange an equation, be familiar with trigonometry, draw a straight line graph and calculate the gradient of this.Some of these skills are applicable to Chemistry. In Biology you will learn a number of statistical tests which will allow you to analyse data collected through observations and experiments.
Do you need to study Mathematics at AS level?
No.
Is there a coursework element?
Yes, for both the AS and the full A level there is a coursework element worth 10%, although in Physics and Biology there is the alternative of a practical examination. The marking criteria is very similar to the GCSE scheme. However, the way in which the coursework is completed is very different from at GCSE level. Firstly, the coursework takes approximately two weeks of lesson time, as opposed to a single day at GCSE. More importantly you have a completely free choice as to what you wish to investigate. You can be as traditional or creative as you wish.
Do we use ICT?
The use of ICT is not a requirement for A level Science, although its use is encouraged, as students will be expected to have a level of ability when they go on to Higher Education. We use data logging, simulation programs as well as word processing and Powerpoint.
Is it a big leap from GCSE?
Yes and no. You will be quite familiar with a number of topics we cover in the course.
If you choose one or more of the Sciences you will be presented with a series of intellectual challenges which will constitute a stimulating and interesting course, without losing sight of the fun and enjoyment of the subject.
You may already know the answer to some of the questions below, others we will teach, several of them we will give you the skills to formulate your own answer to and some at present have no answer at all.
What time is it? Are you sure?
How cold can it get?
What is Dark matter?
How old is the Universe?
How did the Universe begin? What was it like those first few microseconds after the Big Bang?
How will the Universe end?
Who was Schrodinger and what did he do to his cat?
What is Gravity?
What about Einstein, is he the greatest scientist of all time?
Why are golf balls dimpled?
Why do you get thinner but heavier when you run fast ?
Is time travel possible?
Why is there no hydrogen in our atmosphere?
How fast would you have to throw a ball for it to get into space?
What is nuclear fusion?
How do electron microscopes work?
What is a photon?
How can we measure the speed of light?
How are objects carbon dated ?
What causes a sonic boom?
How do MRIs work?
What is a laser, and how are they used in Medicine?
Careers and Science Club
There is a Science Club called "Wildlife Detectives" which is open to Upper 3 and Lower 4. There is also an Astronomy club.
We are fortunate at St Mary's to have a large pond, this resource is providing many opportunities for girls to see first hand a number of habitats within their lessons.
Every year we take the Upper 4 to Weymouth to study the Rock shore and different ecosystems. We also give students the opportunity to attend lectures. We constantly strive to challenge the stereotype for Science and we believe that Science can be fun
