Welcome to the Science Department

Teachers:

Mr S Stewart (Head of Department)

Mrs P Warke

Mr R Mullan

Mr S Forrest

Aims

The overall aims of the Science department are:

• To contribute to the overall development of the pupil
• To make Science relevant for everyday life allowing the use of scientific skills and the ability to make informed decisions surrounding science issues
• To prepare pupils for external examinations and for further study or career development
• Promote links within the school, other school communities, home and the wider community
• To provide a balanced curriculum using a range of teaching strategies

KS3

The science department delivers the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum through co-operative learning activities, practical experimental work and theory based learning. The department takes account of the individual learning needs and styles of every pupil. Modules covered in KS3 Science include:

• Materials
• Separating Techniques
• Energy
• Electricity
• Magnetism
• Living Things
• Food
• Using Science to solve crimes
• Light
• Sound
• Our Habitats
• Healthy Lifestyle
• Space
• Reactions
• Plants
• Reproduction and Genetics

KS4 (GCSE)

The science department offers 3 choices of study at KS4.

Single Award Science

CCEA Single Award Science encourages pupils to develop their curiosity about the world around them and provides insight and experience of how science works. It enables pupils to engage and make informed decisions about further study in Science and their future careers.

Through studying this specification, students:

• gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the material, physical and living worlds;
• gain understanding of the nature of science and its applications and the interrelationships between science and society;
• develop an understanding of the importance of scale in science;
• develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of the scientific process through hypotheses, theories and concepts;
• develop their understanding of the relationships between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanations;
• develop awareness of risk and the ability to assess potential risk in the context of potential benefits;
• develop and apply their observational, practical, enquiry and problem-solving skills and understanding in laboratory, field and other learning environments;
• develop their skills in communication, mathematics and the use of technology in scientific contexts; and
• acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society.

Double Award Science

This course will help facilitate the study of science, physics, chemistry, biology and related subjects at a more advanced level, for example AS or A Level Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

This specification encourages students to be inspired, motivated and challenged by following a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It encourages them to develop their curiosity about the living, material and physical worlds and provides insight into and experience of how science works. It enables students to engage with science and to make informed decisions both about further study in science and related subjects and about their careers.

Entry Level Science

This course prepares learners for further studies in science or science-related vocational courses.

Through studying Entry Level Science, learners develop an understanding of the social and economic contributions of science. They become aware that science can be used in ways that are both beneficial and detrimental to the individual, the community and the environment. Learners learn about the:

• Human body and the importance of looking after our health
• Structure and lifecycle of plants and requirements for their healthy growth
• Hazards of using materials/equipment at home, in the workplace and in the laboratory
• Classification of materials, using raw materials sustainably and the importance of recycling.
• Construction of electrical circuits and the dangers associated with electricity, and how electricity is produced and the need for it.
• Properties and uses of light and sound through practical investigations.