Science

We shall endeavour to make the faculty of Science a caring environment.

We shall provide each pupil with an educational experience in keeping with his or her personality, talents and mental and physical abilities.

We shall work with parents, carers and other partners to achieve the best outcomes for our pupils.

We shall strive to ensure that each pupil’s experience will be challenging and enjoyable and lead to successful learning.

“Science is fun, particularly the experiments”

“S1/S2 Science was like a proton; very positive”

Curricular Choice / Course Information

S1 - SCIENCE

S1: The S1 course sees all pupils undertake a 4-week long starter unit named “This is Science”. Over the course of this unit, pupils will learn all of the basic skills needed within the science laboratory.

Classes then complete 10-week long rotations of three topics; one on each curricular area (biology, chemistry, physics). All units combine experimental work with interactive activities, experimental work and theory. At the end of each unit is a test to give an idea of how our pupils are progressing, whilst we also conduct a range of other assessments looking at various scientific skills.

S1 - THIS IS SCIENCE

S1 This is Science:

This is Science is our introductory unit that we teach at the start of S1. It gives the young people an opportunity to explore their science laboratory and use some of the equipment that they will need over the next 2 years.

Pupils will be given all of the information that they need to be safe within the lab. They will also learn about other skills, such as report writing, analysing data (by calculating averages and percentages) and presenting data (by producing bar charts and line graphs).

Finally, in order to build up our pupils’ knowledge of science within their country, they will also undertake a research project on “Scottish Scientists”.

S1 - BIOLOGY

S1 Biology:

The S1 biology unit (Life on Earth) concentrates on the following topics:

  • Biodiversity – looking at the range of living things on Earth and why a variety of species is important for our environment.
  • Adaptations – looking at how different living things have adaptations for survival in their habitats.
  • Plants for Food – looking at the process of photosynthesis and the importance of green plant in our food supply.
  • Cells and Microbes – looking at the structures of plant and animal cells, and what affects the growth of microscopic organisms.

S1 - CHEMISTRY

S1 Chemistry:

The S1  ‘Curious Chemistry’ unit concentrates on the following topics:

  • Processes of the Planet – looking at properties of matter and the water cycle
  • Properties and Uses of Substances – looking at the periodic table, elements, compounds and mixtures
  • Earth’s Materials – looking at acids and alkalis, and solutions
  • Chemical Changes – looking at chemical reactions.

S1 - PHYSICS

S1 Physics:

The S1 physics unit concentrates on the following topics:

  • Forces – looking at everything from buoyancy to magnetism, friction and designing rockets.
  • Structural Engineering – looking at different types of structure.
  • Electrical Engineering – looking at digital circuits.

S2 - SCIENCE

S2:

The S2 course sees all pupils complete short rotations of three topics; one on each curricular area (biology, chemistry, physics). All units combine experimental work with interactive activities, experimental work and theory. This is combined with an S2 exam, covering all of those units, as well as a Skills assessment which looks at various skills such as graphing, percentages and literacy.

The pupils then move onto second units in each curricular area. These are concluded with individual class tests.

The year culminates with an assignment which starts to prepare our pupils for similar projects in S3/4.

S2 - BIOLOGY

S2 Biology:

The S2 biology unit concentrates on the following topics, split into two separate sections:

  • Reproduction – looking at the plant and animal reproductive systems
  • DNA – looking at DNA, genes and inheritance
  • Body Systems – looking at different systems that make up the human body
  • Health – looking at the immune system and how health can be monitored.

S2 - CHEMISTRY

S2 Chemistry:

The S2 chemistry unit concentrates on the following topics:

  • Radical Reactions – looking at the factors which can influence the rate of a reaction and the signs of a chemical reaction.
  • Marvellous Materials (Fuels) – looking at  different types of fuels, including fossil fuels, food and alcohols.
  • Metals – looking at different reactions and properties of metals.

 

S2 - PHYSICS

S2 Physics:

The S2 physics unit concentrates on the following topics:

  • Space – learning about our solar system and the challenges of space travel
  • Energy – types of energy, energy sources, renewables and non-renewables
  • Electricity – circuit symbols and basic circuits.

S2 - PATHWAYS

Pathways:

During S2, pupils will be required to choose their subjects for the following two years. All pupils will choose at least one science (biology, chemistry, physics or life sciences/health sector), whilst others may choose to take two or even all three of the options.

Biology/Chemistry/Physics
More information on these subjects can be found on their individual department pages.

Life Sciences/Health Sector:
Students complete the National 4 science curriculum in S3 followed by the National 5 health sector curriculum in S4.

S3 - NATIONAL 4 SCIENCE

S3: National 4 Science

This National 4 science course has a skills-based approach to learning, building on the S1 and S2 course.

The units of work are:

  • Fragile Earth – fuels/metals/food/water
  • Human health – factors of healthy lifestyle
  • Applications of science – communication and materials
  • Science assignment – on course content

Assessment: no final SQA exam, assessments undertaken in class as you work through the course.

S4 - NATIONAL 5 - HEALTH SECTOR

S4: National 5 Health Sector

The National 5 course is designed as an introduction to the health sector and is a Skills for Work course; developing employability skills including research and self-evaluation.

The units of work are:

  • Working in the health sector
  • Life sciences industry and the health sector
  • Improving health and wellbeing
  • Physiology of the cardiovascular system
  • Working in non-clinical roles

Assessment: no final SQA exam, assessments undertaken in class as you work through the course.

Success and Achievement

BGE Pathway:
All pupils are given the opportunity to progress through the BGE pathway, based on a variety of activities, tasks and assessments throughout S1 and S2. Pupils accumulate points based on their performance in these, as well as their overall approach to class. (images in folder)

Pupil Achievement:
Pupil achievement is recognised through our “Science Super Stars” wall (image in folder). Each class has one pupil nominated each month, based on a different theme.

S1 Science Club:
Budding S1 Scientists meet on Wednesday lunchtimes in Sc. 7 from 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm. Any S1 pupil wishing to join is more than welcome to come along. See Miss Scott (Science 7) for more information.

This popular club allows pupils to explore areas of Science not necessarily covered by the curriculum. A wide range of activities are offered, allowing the pupils to take responsibility for experiments and developing transferable skills. Examples of some of the activities offered are listed below:

  • Making slime
  • Writing with fire
  • Chromatography butterflies
  • Elephants Toothpaste
  • Team Challenges

Industrial Cadets:
From October to February six S2 pupils have been taking part in the Industrial Cadets Bronze Award which is a STEM outreach program.

  • Pupils designed ‘A Theme Park for the Future’ with the focus being on sustainability with support from an industry mentor from Catapult Offshore Renewables.
  • They attended a graduation ceremony at Strathclyde University where they presented their project to a panel of assessors.

Skills for Life, Learning and work

Skills for Life, Learning and Work

Our current science courses are designed to develop the skills of young people. A large number of these are included in the pupils’ BGE pathway progression.

Literacy – Pupils complete a variety of activities including lab reports, presentations and research, developing literacy skills continually throughout BGE science.

Numeracy – Numeracy is entrenched in every aspect of science, and skills developed include graphing, data analysis, averages and reading scales.

H&W – In addition to our nurturing, caring classroom environments, we also cultivate positive relationships between pupils during group and experimental work, as well as highlighting the importance of safety within the science classroom.

Working with others – A variety of activities take place on a daily basis in science that help foster relationships and develop strategies on working with others. This includes experimental work, project work and research/presentation activities.

Leadership – Pupils are regularly given the opportunity to lead their work. This could be taking charge of a group during experimental work, or managing a project task.

Thinking skills – Thinking skills are embedded throughout science. Pupils are regularly given the opportunity to develop their problem solving abilities, whilst challenge and depth are intrinsic to science work.

Careers – Pupils are given regular advice on potential career paths throughout the S1 and S2 course. This guidance is particularly concentrated in the middle of S2, as pupils approach their subject choices. Further help can be found at https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/

Our Staff