Students : Curriculum : Science : Chemistry

Key Stage 4 – Years 10 and 11

September 2006 is the start of the new GCSE courses and we have chosen, after much thought, to do the OCR scheme entitled “21st Century Science”. (www.ocr.org.uk) The text books for this course are published by Oxford University press (www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk).

For those who are more familiar with the course we have been following then the main changes are as follows:

  • The nature of the coursework is changing and all students will now carry out a case study on a topical science issue. Students studying triple science may still do a traditional investigation if they choose.
  • The content is reduced to a core that every student does and we have chosen to cover the core (in most cases) in Year 10.
  • Students have a number of options.
    1. Most will gain two GCSEs – one in the core science and the other (studied in Year 11), either Applied Science or Additional Applied Science. The first is intended to give students a basic understanding of the main topical debates in science and the practical skills required for working in a scientific environment. It is not intended for students who intend to study traditional science subjects in Key Stage 5 but Applied Science studies at college. The Additional Applied Science option is more factually based, though still dealing with the impact that science has on society, and is a preparation for ‘AS’ and ‘A2’ science courses.
    2. One group of able students will study three separate GCSEs in science – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This involves some lessons outside the normal school day. (Triple Science)
    3. Students who choose to do the ASDAN course will study only Single Science (the core) over their two years at Key Stage 4.

The main topic areas covered in the Chemistry section of the core are:

  • Air Quality
  • Material Choices
  • Food Matters

The Chemistry topics in the Applied Science are:

  • Chemical Patterns
  • Chemicals and the Natural Environment
  • Chemical Synthesis

The Chemistry topics in the Applied Additional Science are:

  • Scientific Detection
  • Materials and Performance
  • Harnessing Chemicals

Students who study Triple Science and gain a separate qualification in Chemistry will study all the above and also a topic entitled ‘Chemistry for a Sustainable World’ together with special investigations into some aspect of chemistry topical at the time of study.

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