S1/S2 Science

Welcome to Science

Staff

G Melvin (PT)

Chemistry – C Stewart, E Stewart, K McLean, J Burton

Biology –  J Mathieson, K McDonald, L Fawcett, S Docherty, L Ritchie, F Macmillan

Physics – P Lee, M McAlpine

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The S1 Science Course has been devised to teach and apply Big Scientific Ideas in context. Three units are taught in S1:

1. Forensics (August – December)
A crime always leaves some trace. What chemical techniques and reactions can scientists use to identify these clues? How do they work? As a forensic scientist, you have to build up a case to tie the suspect to the crime scene. What kind of evidence and how much do you need? In this unit, students play the role of the trainee, eager to prove their worth, opening up old cases and using science to bring criminals to justice.

2. Alien (January – April)
In this unit, students take the role of George, a new employee at SETI, the organisation leading the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. They embark on a mission to site a ‘listening telescope’ on the far side of the Moon. When this picks up an unidentified signal, they use newly acquired pattern recognition skills to interpret it. Where does it come from? What does it say? And is it genuine? Next, students design a probe to send to a planet in our Solar System. Through interpreting the data it collects, they decide whether the planet might support life – was the message sent from here? Finally, students look elsewhere in the Universe. How can science help us find the extraterrestrial message senders?

3. Extinction (April – June)
As the Arctic ice melts away, polar bears are sliding towards extinction. Climate change is radically altering many of the Earth’s environments. Will other species be able to adapt? Earth’s history also shows there have been many extinctions in the past. So should we be worried that species are dying out today? And which should we be trying to save? Students are trainee reporters for environmental awareness channel Planet TV, and learn about ‘changing atmosphere’, adaptation, variation, behaviour and scientific communication as part of their assignments.

Homework will be issued for each sub unit at the appropriate times.

The S2 Science course has been devised to teach and apply Big Scientific Ideas in context. Three units are taught in S2:

1. Extinction (May – October)
As the Arctic ice melts away, polar bears are sliding towards extinction. Climate change is radically altering many of the Earth’s environments. Will other species be able to adapt? Earth’s history also shows there have been many extinctions in the past. So should we be worried that species are dying out today? And which should we be trying to save? Students are trainee reporters for environmental awareness channel Planet TV, and learn about ‘changing atmosphere’, adaptation, variation, behaviour and scientific communication as part of their assignments.

2. Electromancer (January – April)
Students have enrolled in a school like Hogwarts, where they experience ‘adventures’, which they learn to cope with through what they learn in their ‘Electromancy’ lessons. Electromancy is the skill and knowledge needed to master non-magical invisible forces of electricity, magnetism and electrostatics.

3. A & E (April – June)
Once upon a time, physicians would let your blood or apply leaches to your skin if you were sick. Thanks to science and technology, modern medicine can diagnose illness more precisely and offer much more effective treatments. The UK’s National Health Service aims to provide evidence-based treatments, but there is also a place for alternative therapies from other cultures whose mode of action is difficult to discern. Health care workers are also able to help infertile couples to have children.Students are trainee nurses doing placements in various hospitals and learn about cells, diagnosis and whether claims are scientific.

Homework will be issued for each sub unit at the appropriate times.