Science Department
Staff Members: Mr T McCance (HOD/KS3), Ms N McLernon (HOD/KS4), Mrs P Curran, Mrs E Sproule, Mr D Lilleker (VP). Assistant Teachers: Mr C Gallagher, Mrs S Hagan, Ms V Hall, Mrs K Murray. Mr T Cunningham (Science Technician)
Aims:
The main aims are to interest and engage students in the study of science. This is achieved by:
- identifying activities and experiences which stimulate interest and enthusiasm for science;
- linking these activities and experiences to factors which are relevant to their everyday lives;
- evaluating evidence collected or researched and the implications for society;
- explaining and developing theories and models based on data collected or provided;
- developing procedures for systematic collection of data.
Students will be given opportunities to:
- develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for science;
- develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods;
- acquire and apply skills, knowledge of how science works, its essential role in society in benefitting mankind and and in dealing with the drawbacks of science and scientific and technological advance;
- acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning;
- use electronic and traditional resources for information to research a topic of scientific interest.
Science stimulates and excites pupil’s curiosity, their interest in, and knowledge of, phenomena and events of the world around them. The study of science offers opportunities to help understand major scientific ideas, appreciated how these develop and contribute to technological change and to recognise the cultural significance of science and its’ worldwide development.
Studying science enables students to understand the role and importance of experimental evidence and models in evaluating explanation of phenomena and events. Students appreciate how science-based technologies have been used in industry, business, commerce and medicine and how these developments have contributed to the benefit of mankind. Students can engage in questioning and discussing science-based issues that have an impact on their lives and the world as a whole. They can therefore become more confident in expressing views and evaluating decisions about such matters.
The study of science can contribute to highlighting environmental issues of local, national and international interest. It can outline areas where science can have both beneficial and detrimental effects to the individual and the environment.
Science
Key Stage 3
All pupils at Key Stage 3 follow the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum through co-operative learning activities, practical work and theory based learning taking account of the individual learning needs and styles of every pupil. Topics studied in Years 8, 9 and 10 include:
- Acids and Alkalis
- Particles
- Cells
- Reproduction
- Energy
- Forces and Speed
- Earth In Space
- Food and Digestion
- Respiration and Circulatory System
- The Periodic Table
- Elements, Mixtures and Compounds
- Light and Sound
- Plants and Photosynthesis
- Inheritance and Selection
- Reaction of Metals and Their Compounds
- Pressure and Moments
- Electricity
Useful Websites For Key Stage 3 Students:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z4kw2hv
https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/family-activities
https://www.youtube.com/user/maddiemoate
https://new.siemens.com/uk/en/company/education/students/diy-videos.html
https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/secondary-chemistry
http://www.scibermonkey.org/level-ks3.html
https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/secondary-biology
https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/secondary-physics
https://www.footprints-science.co.uk/
Key Stage 4
CCEA Single Award Science
Link to full specification: https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-science-single-award-2017
The topics covered in Unit 1 Biology include:
- Cells
- Food and Diet
- Chromosomes and Genes
- Co-ordination and Control
- Reproductive System
- Variation and Control
- Disease and Body Defences
- Ecological Relationships
The topics covered in Unit 2 Chemistry include:
- Acids, Bases and Salts
- Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
- Atomic Structure and The Periodic Table
- Bonding
- Materials
- Symbols, Formulae and Equations
- Qualitative Analysis
- Metals and The Reactivity Series
- Rates of Reaction
- Organic Chemistry
The topics covered in Unit 3 Physics include:
- Electrical Circuits
- Household Electricity
- Energy
- Electricity Generation
- Heat Transfer
- Waves
- Road Safety and Transport
- Radioactivity
- Earth In Space
CCEA Double Award Science
Link to full specification: https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-science-double-award-2017
The topics covered in Unit 1 Biology include:
- Cells
- Photosynthesis and Plants
- Nutrition and Food Tests
- Enzymes and Digestion
- The Respiratory System, Breathing and Respiration
- The Nervous System and Hormones
- Ecological Relationships and Energy Flow
The topics covered in Unit 1 Chemistry include:
- Atomic Structure
- Bonding, Structure and Nanoparticles
- Symbols, Formulae and Equations
- The Periodic Table
- Quantitative Chemistry
- Acids, Bases and Salts
- Chemical Analysis
The topics covered in Unit 1 Physics include:
- Motion
- Forces
- Density and Kinetic Theory
- Energy
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
The topics covered in Unit 2 Biology include:
- Osmosis and Plant Transport
- The Circulatory System
- Genome, Chromosomes, DNA and Genetics
- Reproduction, Fertility and Contraception
- Variation and Natural Selection
- Health, Disease, Defence Mechanisms and Treatments
The topics covered in Unit 2 Chemistry include:
- The Reactivity Series of Metals
- Redox, Rusting and Iron
- Rates of Reaction
- Equilibrium
- Organic Chemistry
- Quantitative Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Changes in Chemistry
- Gas Chemistry
The topics covered in Unit 2 Physics include:
- Waves
- Light
- Electricity
- Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Space Physics
Key Stage 5
At Key Stage 5 pupils in Drumragh Integrated College achieving BB in DA Science Higher Tier can choose to study one or all off:
- CCEA Biology
- CCEA Chemistry
- CCEA Physics
CCEA Biology
Specification at a glance CCEA Biology:
Link to full specification: https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-biology-2016
The topics covered in AS1 Biology include:
- Molecules and Cells
- Enzymes
- Viruses
- Cells
- Cell Physiology
- Continuity of Cells
- Tissues and Organs
The topics covered in AS2 Biology include:
- Transport and Exchange Mechanisms
- The Adaptation of Organisms
- Biodiversity
- Human Impact on Biodiversity
The topics covered in A21 Biology include:
- Homeostasis
- Immunity
- Co-ordination and Control
- Ecosystems
The topics covered in A22 Biology include:
- Respiration
- Photosynthesis
- DNA and The Genetic Code
- Gene Technology
- Genes and Patterns of Inheritance
- Population Genetics
- Kingdom Plantae
- Kingdoms Animalia
CCEA Chemistry
Specification at a glance CCEA Chemistry:
Link to full specification: https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-chemistry-2016
The topics covered in AS1 Chemistry include:
- Formulae, Equations and Amount of Substance
- Atomic Structure
- Bonding
- Intermolecular Forces
- Structure
- Shapes of Molecules and Ions
- Redox
- Halogens
- Acid-Base Titrations
- Qualitative Tests
The topics covered in AS2 Chemistry include:
- Formulae and Amounts of a Substance
- Nomenclature and Isomerism in Organic Compounds
- Alkanes
- Alkenes
- Halogenoalkanes
- Alcohols
- Infra-Red Spectroscopy
- Energetics
- Kinetics
- Equilibrium
- Group II Element and Their Compounds
The topics covered in A21 Chemistry include:
- Lattice Enthalpy
- Enthalpy, Entropy and Free Energy
- Rates of Reaction
- Equilibrium
- Acid-Base Equilibria
- Isomerism
- Aldehydes and Ketones
- Carboxylic Acids
- Derivatives of Carboxylic Acids
- Aromatic Chemistry
The topics covered in A22 Chemistry include:
- Mass Spectrometry
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
- Volumetric Analysis
- Chromatography
- Transition Metals
- Electrode Potentials
- Amines
- Amides
- Amino Acids
- Polymer Chemistry
- Chemistry In Medicine
Useful Websites For A’Level Chemistry Students:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Franklychemistry
http://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htm
CCEA Physics
Specification at a glance CCEA Physics:
Link to full specification: https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-physics-2016
The topics covered in AS1 Physics include:
- Physical Quantities
- Scalars and Vectors
- Principle of Moments
- Linear Motion
- Dynamics
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Linear Momentum and Impulse
- Work Done, Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy
- Electrical Current, Charge, Potential Difference and Electromotive Force.
- Resistance and Resistivity
- Internal Resistance and Electromotive Force
- Potential Divider Circuits
The topics covered in AS2 Physics:
- Waves
- Refraction
- Lenses
- Superposition, inference and diffraction
- Quantum Physics
- Wave-Particle Duality
- Astronomy
The topics covered in A21 Physics include:
- Deformation of Solids
- Thermal Physics
- Uniform Circular Motion
- Simple Harmonic Motion
- The Nucleus
- Nuclear Decay
- Nuclear Energy
- Nuclear Fusion and Fission
The topics covered in A22 Physics include:
- Force Fields
- Gravitational Fields
- Electric Fields
- Capacitors
- Magnetic Fields
- Deflection of Charged Particles in Electrical and Magnetic Fields
- Particle Accelerators
- Fundamental Particles
Lunch Time Clubs / After College Clubs
After school exam help for Key Stage 4 pupils before module exams.