| | | | | | | |  | Curriculum Review
Teaching has always been very much practical based with an emphasis placed on the social and applied aspects of science. The revised Junior Cert science course lends itself very well to this approach, as there is a big emphasis on a practical experience of science for the student.
The course includes a number of investigations, which the student must carry out, and report on over the 3-year period. This encourages the student to investigate and stimulate discussion on a range of different topics. | Catherine Tattersall
Head of Science Dept | |
| | There is also a big emphasis placed on social aspects of science, which is very important in getting the student to appreciate science as a ‘real life’ subject and not just words in a textbook. | | | | Science at Sutton Park School - An Overview |  | All Sutton Park Senior School students take Science as a subject from First Year through to Third Year, and sit the Junior Certificate National Examination at the end of Third Year.
In Transition Year, students can choose to do any or all of the three Science subjects taught at Sutton Park School - Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
In Fifth Year, students start the Leaving Certificate programmes and can again choose to do one or all of the three Science subjects. All three subjects are taught at the Higher Level. At the end of Sixth Year students sit the National Leaving Certificate Examinations in their chosen subject.
Although there are no practical examinations in the curriculum, students do a lot of practical classes and are tested on their experimental knowledge in the exams.
Students at all levels are encouraged to enter the prestigious annual BT Young Scientist of the Year Competition, and Sutton Park School students have done extremely well in the Competition in recent years.
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| | CLICK HERE TO SEE SCIENCE SUCCESSES | | Junior Cycle Curriculum | The Junior Certificate Science syllabus is a revised syllabus first examined in 2006. The syllabus has 3 major components: Biology, Chemistry and Physics and is concerned with the development of scientific knowledge, skills, concepts, and attitudes essential for responsibilities of citizenship in today’s world.
The course is activity based in its design and emphasises practical experience of science for each individual student.
Rationale
In an era of rapid scientific, social and technological change the study of science is fundamental to the development of the confidence required to deal with the opportunities and challenges that such change presents in a wide variety of personal and social contexts
Aims And Objectives
Science education at junior cycle should:- Encourage the development of manipulative, procedural, cognitive, affective and communication skills through practical activities that foster investigation, imagination and creativity | Provide opportunities for observing and evaluating phenomena and processes and for drawing valid deductions and conclusions | Enable students to acquire a body of scientific knowledge appropriate to their age, and an understanding of the relevance and applications of science in their personal and social lives | Foster an appreciation and respect for life and the environment, while at the same time developing awareness of the potential misuse, use and limitations of science, and of health and safety issues relating to science | Provide a balanced understanding of the physical, biological and chemical dimensions of science. | Develop a sense of enjoyment in the learning of science.
Curriculum Content
The curriculum follows that set out in the official Department Of Education Junior Certificate Science Syllabus for ordinary and higher level.
1st YEAR SCIENCE
Aims
1 To introduce the student to the scientific world
2 To promote enthusiasm in the student for all things scientific
3 To promote and aid understanding of the world around us in a scientific context
4 To develop the students logical and rational skills with intensive practical work.
Methods
1 Progression through the topics listed
2 Experimental work
2nd YEAR SCIENCE
Aims:
1 To reinforce and further develop a students scientific knowledge, understanding and skills.
2 To develop a scientific, rational approach to problem solving.
3 To promote their confidence and competence in using the scientific knowledge and skills required for everyday life.
4 To promote and aid understanding of the world around us in a scientific context.
5 To continue the development of students logical and rational skills regarding experimental work.
Methods
1 Progression through the listed topics.
2 Experimental work
3rd YEAR SCIENCE
Aims
1 To reinforce and further develop a students scientific knowledge, understanding and skills.
2 To develop their scientific problem solving skills
3 To promote their confidence and competence in using the scientific knowledge and skills required for everyday life.
4 To prepare the student for their first state exam.
Methods
1 Progression through the topics listed
2 Revision of the topics covered in 1st and 2nd year | | Department of Education Syllabus for Science (DOE Website June 09) | | DOE Syllabus - Junior Certificate Curriculum Syllabus - Pdf Doc | | |
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