GCSE ScienceGCSE Science

Presentation by Princes Presentation by Princes Risborough Science DepartmentRisborough Science Department

Why The Changes?Why The Changes?

After the Green Paper 2003 the QCA After the Green Paper 2003 the QCA asked the asked the DfESDfES to revise KS4 science.to revise KS4 science.

The 14 The 14 --19 White Paper re19 White Paper re--enforced enforced most students should take two GCSEs most students should take two GCSEs in Science. in Science.

The Government papers were aimed The Government papers were aimed at encouraging more students to study at encouraging more students to study science Postscience Post--16.16.

MAIN CHANGESMAIN CHANGES

Change of emphasis from knowledge to Change of emphasis from knowledge to understanding and application of skills.understanding and application of skills.

Strong emphasis on the science of contemporary Strong emphasis on the science of contemporary issues.issues.

Wider range of assessment methods.Wider range of assessment methods.

End to current system of coursework, replaced with End to current system of coursework, replaced with a variety of school based tasks.a variety of school based tasks.

No terminal examination.No terminal examination.

Smaller core of content that is relevant to all pupils.Smaller core of content that is relevant to all pupils.

Edexcel AIMS and Edexcel AIMS and APPROCHES (1)APPROCHES (1)

Balanced approach based on:Balanced approach based on:* evaluating evidence and the implication of * evaluating evidence and the implication of

science on societyscience on society* exploring, theorising and modelling in * exploring, theorising and modelling in

sciencescience•• Procedural and technical knowledge of Procedural and technical knowledge of

science.science.•• Internal assessment designed to support Internal assessment designed to support

teaching and learning.teaching and learning.

Edexcel AIMS and Edexcel AIMS and APPROCHES (2)APPROCHES (2)

Content to be relevant and encourage Content to be relevant and encourage pupils to engage and challenge the pupils to engage and challenge the science they meet in their everyday science they meet in their everyday lives.lives.

Flexible framework to support Flexible framework to support students needs by a range of teaching students needs by a range of teaching and learning activitiesand learning activities

EFFECTS ON LESSONS (1)EFFECTS ON LESSONS (1)

Practical work and associated activities to promote Practical work and associated activities to promote understanding and develop skills understanding and develop skills

Teachers to teach Teachers to teach ‘‘how science workshow science works’’ explicitly and explicitly and progressivelyprogressively

Include a wider repertoire of writing and other Include a wider repertoire of writing and other recording of work include opportunities for recording of work include opportunities for discussion and debate of sciencediscussion and debate of science

Issues to be set in contexts which reflect Issues to be set in contexts which reflect contemporary science issues and are relevant to contemporary science issues and are relevant to pupilspupils’’ experiences and present and future livesexperiences and present and future lives

EFFECTS ON LESSONS (2)EFFECTS ON LESSONS (2)

Include more opportunities for Include more opportunities for enquiries which are pupilenquiries which are pupil--led led

Pupils to build, explore and apply their Pupils to build, explore and apply their understanding of science rather than understanding of science rather than just learn about some sciencejust learn about some science

Pupils to make more use of secondary Pupils to make more use of secondary data and information such as can be data and information such as can be obtained through the Internetobtained through the Internet

GCSE in Science GCSE in Science

Biology (B1) to coverBiology (B1) to cover: Variation, Responding : Variation, Responding to change and Interto change and Inter--relationshipsrelationships

Chemistry (C1) to coverChemistry (C1) to cover: The earth's sea : The earth's sea and atmosphere, Materials from the earth, and atmosphere, Materials from the earth, Acids, Obtaining and using metals and FuelsAcids, Obtaining and using metals and Fuels

Physics (P1) to coverPhysics (P1) to cover: Solar System, The : Solar System, The electromagnetic spectrum, Waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, Waves and the Universe, Generation and Transmission of Universe, Generation and Transmission of Electricity, Energy and the futureElectricity, Energy and the future

Core Science AssessmentCore Science Assessment

Controlled AssessmentControlled Assessment –– 25%25%SStudents will complete three pieces of

work (Part A, Part B and Part C). Part A is a planning task. Part B is an observation task with the collecting of primary data. Part C is a conclusions task.

These tasks are related to the Core Practicals within the units of the GCSE in Science.

External AssessmentExternal Assessment –– 75%75%3 x 1 hour structured papers (B1, C1, P1)3 x 1 hour structured papers (B1, C1, P1)

Dates Of AssessmentsDates Of Assessments

Controlled Assessments Controlled Assessments --Throughout the duration of the Throughout the duration of the course.course.

External Assessments External Assessments ––November, March and June (starting November, March and June (starting in Nov 2011)in Nov 2011)40% of assessment must be taken in 40% of assessment must be taken in the terminal session.the terminal session.

Controlled Assessments Controlled Assessments (1)(1)

Part A Part A Planning (1 hour)

Covering:

o Choosing equipmento Develop a hypothesiso Variables and controlo Data and rangeo Identification and mitigation of risk.

Controlled Assessments Controlled Assessments (2)(2)

B Observations (1 hour)

Covering:

o Range & presentationo Repeatability & accuracy.

Controlled Assessments Controlled Assessments (3)(3)

C Conclusions (1 hour)

Covering on primary evidence:o Processing data including graph drawingo Conclusionso Evaluation of methodo Review of hypothesisConclusion based on secondary methods and

data

External AssessmentExternal Assessment

Each paper (B1, C1, P1) 1 hour Each paper (B1, C1, P1) 1 hour

Structured papers Structured papers -- three types of question:

1. multiple choice – used only where this will provide credible evidence of knowledge

and skills

2. structured short answers - for maths, How Science Works or theory

3. longer answers worth 6 marks - to fulfil the requirement for quality of written communication and help provide stretch and challenge.

Tiered papers (Foundation or Higher)Tiered papers (Foundation or Higher)

Each worth 25%Each worth 25%

How Science WorksHow Science Works

HSW is identified in the scheme of work HSW is identified in the scheme of work and is primarily about:and is primarily about:

•• Helping students engage with science.Helping students engage with science.•• Helping students challenge the science Helping students challenge the science

they meet in everyday life.they meet in everyday life.•• Helping students question the workings of Helping students question the workings of

science.science.•• Helping students understand the impact of Helping students understand the impact of

science on society and their lives.science on society and their lives.

How Science WorksHow Science Works

Five strands to HSWFive strands to HSW1.1. Identify questions and how scientists look Identify questions and how scientists look

for the answersfor the answers2.2. Evaluate scientific claimsEvaluate scientific claims3.3. Question scientific reports and Question scientific reports and

communicate own findingscommunicate own findings4.4. Consider scientific findingsConsider scientific findings5.5. Make informed judgements about science Make informed judgements about science

REVISIONREVISION

Look Cover Write CheckLook Cover Write Check

Highlighting key phrases and wordsHighlighting key phrases and words

Flash cardsFlash cards

Identify weak and strong areasIdentify weak and strong areas

Draw diagram and then label from Draw diagram and then label from memorymemory

ICT RESOURCES (1)ICT RESOURCES (1)

In School Resources:In School Resources:Chemistry Set 2000Chemistry Set 2000Sunflower MediaSunflower MediaMultilearnMultilearn Chemical RevisionChemical RevisionGCSE RevisionGCSE RevisionIntel MicroscopesIntel MicroscopesData LoggingData LoggingActiveTeachActiveTeach

ICT RESOURCES (2)ICT RESOURCES (2)

Off Site Resources:Off Site Resources:MoodleMoodleSunflower MediaSunflower MediaGCSE RevisionGCSE RevisionBBC BBC BitesizeBitesizeSS--CoolCoolCreative ChemistryCreative ChemistrySchool Science (ASE site)School Science (ASE site)

Mind maps (1)Mind maps (1)

Why Mind Map?Why Mind Map?

summarizes information. summarizes information.

consolidates information from different research consolidates information from different research sources. sources.

thinking through complex problemsthinking through complex problems

presenting information that shows the overall presenting information that shows the overall structure of your subject.structure of your subject.

Mind Maps are also very quick to review, as it is Mind Maps are also very quick to review, as it is easy to refresh information in your mind just by easy to refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one.glancing at one.

used to connect ideas and show how they used to connect ideas and show how they interrelate.interrelate.

MIND MAPS (2)MIND MAPS (2)

HOW TO MIND MAP:HOW TO MIND MAP:

Use just key words, or wherever possible images. Use just key words, or wherever possible images.

Make the centre a clear and strong start from here and work Make the centre a clear and strong start from here and work out. out.

Put key words Put key words onon lines. lines.

Use colour to depict themes, associations and to make things Use colour to depict themes, associations and to make things stand out. stand out.

Anything that Anything that standsstands outout on the page will stand out in your on the page will stand out in your mind. mind.

Use arrows and diagrams to show links between different Use arrows and diagrams to show links between different elements. elements.

Don't get stuck in one area. If you dry up in one area go to Don't get stuck in one area. If you dry up in one area go to another branch. another branch.

Be creative. Creativity aids memory. Be creative. Creativity aids memory.

Additional ScienceAdditional Science

Biology (B2) to cover: The building blocks of Biology (B2) to cover: The building blocks of cells, Organisms and energy and Anatomycells, Organisms and energy and Anatomy

Chemistry (C2) to cover: Atomic structure and Chemistry (C2) to cover: Atomic structure and the periodic table, Ionic and covalent the periodic table, Ionic and covalent compounds, Chemical reactions and compounds, Chemical reactions and quantitative chemistryquantitative chemistry

Physics (P2) to cover: Physics (P2) to cover: Static and current electricity, Controlling and using electric current, Motion and forces, Momentum, energy, work and power, Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, Advantages and disadvantages of using radioactive materials.

Additional Science Additional Science AssessmentAssessment

Controlled AssessmentControlled Assessment –– 25%25%SStudents will complete three pieces of work (Part A, Part B and Part C). Part A is a planning task. Part B is an observation task with the collecting of primary data. Part C is a conclusions task.

These tasks are related to the Additional Practicals within the units of the GCSE in Science.

External AssessmentExternal Assessment –– 75%75%3 x 1 hour structured papers (B2, C2, P2)3 x 1 hour structured papers (B2, C2, P2)

The same structure as for GCSE ScienceThe same structure as for GCSE Science

Separate Science GCSESeparate Science GCSE’’ss

The science specific topics from GCSE The science specific topics from GCSE Science and Additional Science Science and Additional Science contribute to GCSE Biology, Chemistry contribute to GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physicsand Physics

For separate sciences there is one For separate sciences there is one extension units for each science (B3, extension units for each science (B3, C3 and P3) C3 and P3)

Extension UnitsExtension Units

Biology (B3) Biology (B3) –– Biorhythms, Behaviour and Biorhythms, Behaviour and BiotechnologyBiotechnology

Chemistry (C3) Chemistry (C3) –– Qualitative and Quantitative analysis, Electrolytic processes, Gas, equilibria and ammonia and Organic chemistry.

Physics (P3) Physics (P3) –– Radiation in treatment and medicine eg: X-rays and ECGs, Production - uses and risks of ionising radiation, Particle accelerators and Kinetic theory and gases

Assessment for Separate Assessment for Separate Science GCSEScience GCSE’’ss

For each GCSE the student wishes to For each GCSE the student wishes to achieve they must take the External achieve they must take the External and Controlled assessment for that and Controlled assessment for that science science egeg: :

For GCSE Biology a student would For GCSE Biology a student would have to take B1, B2, B3 (same layout have to take B1, B2, B3 (same layout as B1 and B2) and a Biology controlled as B1 and B2) and a Biology controlled assessmentassessment

Science Post GCSEScience Post GCSE

AS BiologyAS BiologyTwo module exams and CourseworkTwo module exams and CourseworkA2 BiologyA2 BiologyTwo module exams, Coursework and a Two module exams, Coursework and a Synoptic paperSynoptic paper

Science Post GCSEScience Post GCSE

AS ChemistryAS ChemistryTwo module exams and Laboratory Two module exams and Laboratory SkillsSkillsA2 ChemistryA2 ChemistryTwo module exams and Laboratory Two module exams and Laboratory SkillsSkills

Science Post GCSEScience Post GCSE

AS Science (Double Award)AS Science (Double Award)Six Units Six Units –– Three externally assessedThree externally assessed

Three portfolio Three portfolio

Science Post A LevelScience Post A Level

Students who have studied science courses Students who have studied science courses at A Level at Princes Risborough have gone at A Level at Princes Risborough have gone on to:on to:

Study Pharmacy, Chemistry, Physiotherapy, Study Pharmacy, Chemistry, Physiotherapy, Mathematics and other courses at Mathematics and other courses at Universities around the UK.Universities around the UK.

Gain employment in the Pharmaceutical and Gain employment in the Pharmaceutical and Sports Leisure Industry also in Animal Care Sports Leisure Industry also in Animal Care and in a variety of other fieldsand in a variety of other fields