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Science Department

• 1) To develop critical thinking skills so that students can differentiate between types of information and be able to make informed decisions.
• 2) To aid students in understanding the principles of scientific investigation so that they are able to organise and carry out their own investigations both within and outside the context of science.
• 3) To help students develop an understanding of personal and social health issues so that they can make sensible choices.
• 4) To stimulate an awareness that we are responsible for the state of the planet and encourage students to take responsibilty for actions that will help to maintain it for future generations.
• 5) To provide a wide variety of learning situations in order to stimulate the different learning styles that childern have.
• 6) To ensure that all students find the course that they are following is a sufficiently stimulating, challenging and worthwhile experience.

• a) Practical work to provide plenty of hands on experience.
• b) Field trips to put school studies into a local context.
• c) The use of computers and sensors for students to have a clearer understanding of current techniques
• d) Presentations and discussions.

• -Pupils will learn about the historical context of certain scientific investigations.
• -Pupils will be taught the main principles of scientific investigation through teacher organised investigations.
• -Pupils will practise their experimental skills by planning and carrying out their own investigations.
• -Pupils will apply their investigation techniques to everyday situations, e.g. forensic science, genetic profiling, technological devices.
• -Pupils will develop teamwork skills and an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of scientific investigation. e.g. the Group 4 project.

• -Pupils will learn about the definitions of health and disease, the causes of disease, some medicines, and how to try and prevent disease. IB chemistry offers an option on Drugs and Medicines.
• -Pupils will regularly discuss health and safety issues, as these are always included in laboratory work and during topics that concern Body Systems and Environmental Issues.
• -Pupils will experience links between health topics in a scientific context and other areas of their curriculum e.g. the PSRE programme and reproduction, PE and exercise physiology, DT and designing for humans etc.

• -Pupils will have opportunities to participate in projects linked to outside organisations, e.g. the European Coastwatch Project, the Portuguese Cork tree project, Clean up the world etc.
• -Yr.12 Pupils will have the opportunity to participate in the Eco Forum held in a neighbouring International School each autumn. This runs along the lines of the Model United Nations with students representing different countries.
• -Pupils will be encouraged to carry out and further develop the school action plan that is devised each year by the school’s Eco Council as part of the Eco School’s programme. The current plans involve recycling, saving water, biodiversity and renewable energy and will be developed in conjunction with the students’ Global Issues committee and the Students’ Council.
• -Pupils will be exposed to much information during their courses as many of the science teaching modules include relevant information and activities, ranging from Yr. 6 to Yr. 13.
• -Pupils will carry out fieldwork within school and in nearby localities.
• -IB pupils are currently offered the possibility of studying Environmental Systems and Society as an IB Diploma course and both the IB Biology and Chemistry courses offer the possibility of ecology/environmental options.

• -Pupils will be assisted in accessing their science course to as full a degree as possible whether they need extra support for language and learning difficulties or are gifted students who can be stimulated with more demanding content and extension activities. This will require collaboration with the EAL and SEN departments.
• -Science investigations are particularly suited to providing scope for all students to be challenged and to develop their thinking skills as well as the more obvious practical skills. Pupils will be given encouragement for their positive achievements and encouraged to develop further by the use of judicial advice.
• -Pupils will be encouraged to carry out projects that relate to their interests.
• -Pupils will be exposed to materials that show science in the context of everyday life and that will highlight the wide variety of careers for which science can be a useful preparation.
• -Pupils will enjoy topical science activities e.g. observing an eclipse or other natural phenomenon.
• -Pupils will participate in educational visits and be encouraged to involve themselves in appropriate external activities.