Science

Science

Why Study Science?

Here in the David Young Science department we have a committed team of enthusiastic, and well qualified staff with a range of subjects' specialism. Our teaching staff are supported by two well qualified and experienced science technicians and learning is facilitated by eight modern fully equipped laboratories.

Our aim is to stimulate students' thirst for knowledge and to pre-pare them for life in a world of ever-increasing scientific and technological advancement. Students will learn the power and applications of Science whilst developing their understanding of its role in modern life. With this in mind we have developed a range of pathways to allow students to fulfill their potential and provide them with the best opportunities to succeed in scientific careers.

Course Overview

At Key Stage 3 we follow an accelerated scheme of work which students study for two years before moving on to GCSE. The Key Stage 3 curriculum is taught in single sex classes. Freshers are taught six topics each lasting one teaching block, two each of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Six further topics are taught in the Prep year.

Dependant on their aptitude for the subject, students will receive either two or three Science lessons each week.

Each topic is assessed using an APP (Assessing Pupils Progress) tasks which can take the form of a piece of research, experiment, or a scientific planning exercise. Each topic is also assessed with a leveled end of topic test.

Students should expect to receive one piece of relevant homework each week. This will commonly be peer marked and used as a means of target setting.

At Key Stage 4 this year we are introducing the new Edexcel specification for Core, Additional and Separate Science GCSE. Edexcel have developed a new suite of GCSEs for Science that promote students to fulfill their potential, the course aims to put good science at the heart of teaching, learning and assessment. Edexcel have created a clear and detailed specification has examination papers designed and trialed to be accessible to all, with appropriate stretch for our more able students. The cores will be delivered over two years.

Controlled assessment

For this aspect students will complete one or more controlled assessment tasks related to one of the above units.

Some students will also have the opportunity to study further units to gain Separate Science qualifications in Biology, Chemistry ans Physics.

At Key Stage 4 students may also be studying OCR Nationals. This course has been developed to recognise students' skills, knowledge and understanding of science and scientific procedures. Students carry out a range of tasks that have been designed to acknowledge their achievements in a modern, practical way that is relevant to the workplace. The students will create a portfolio, consisting of three units.

• Unit 1 involves aspects of best practice in science such as laboratory techniques and sampling operations.
• Unit 2 explores the uses of materials in science, allowing students an insight into the properties, uses and extraction of common and scientifically advanced materials.
• Unit 11 explores the science of humanity and the universe including the evolution of life and the solar system.

Further study

At Key Stage 5, in year 12 students will be offer the opportunity to choose between four courses within group 4 subject of the IB Diploma: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science and Society.

These courses are designed to extend the existing skills of the students and to meet the development needs of learners as expressed in the IB objectives. The objectives for all group 4 subjects reflect those parts of the aims that will be assessed. Wherever appropriate, the assessment will draw upon environmental and technological contexts and identify the social, moral and economic effects of Biological science.

It is the intention of all the Diploma Programme courses that students achieve the following objectives.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of:

• scientific facts and concepts
• scientific methods and techniques
• scientific terminology
• methods of presenting scientific information.

2. Apply and use:

• scientific facts and concepts
• scientific methods and techniques
• scientific terminology to communicate effectively

3. Appropriate methods to present scientific information.

Construct, analyse and evaluate:

• hypotheses, research questions and predictions
• scientific methods and techniques

4. Scientific explanations.

• Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance and responsibility appropriate for effective scientific investigation and problem solving.
• Demonstrate the manipulative skills necessary to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety.

At Key Stage 5, in year 13 students will continue to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics A-level curriculum. A2 subjects consist of three modules. The first two modules are assessed through examinations containing synoptic questions which require students to recall and use all subject content covered previously to answer questions that pull a number of different concepts together. The third module is practical based and consists of both a practical and a written paper. Students also complete two hours homework a week and are assessed via end of topic tests, attainment in class and homework marks. Students' are timetabled to have four lessons each week.

A2 Bilolgy units consists of

• Populations and Environment
• Control in Cells and Organisms

A2 Chemistry units consists of

• Kinetics, Equilibria, and Organic Chemistry
• Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry

A2 Physics units consists of

• Further Fields and Mechanics
• Nuclear & Thermal Physics + Optional Topic

Extra Curricular Activities

• This year we ran a very successful Science and Engineering week in March
• The achievement assembly was hijacked by the Science of Halloween and its resident Werewolf!
• Every Monday there is a Science Extravaganza club showcasing the most exciting science experiments that staff enjoy!
• Every year we field a team of Freshers at the Salter's Festival of Chemistry event at Leeds University
• A range of students were invited to the Christmas Lectures at Leeds University
• Every year our A-level Biologist attend a residential in Robin Hoods Bay to study Ecology
• A group of 40 students were taken to the Science Museum in London.
• A full programme of support is available to our Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students for revision and exam preparation hosted by subject specialists.