Science
MISSION STATEMENT:
To facilitate teaching in such a way to ensure that each pupil enjoys achieving to his full ability and producing work of a high standard.
OBJECTIVES
- To teach in line with the general school objectives and outcomes based education principles (OBE), especially : a. critical thinking
b. learner centeredness
c. cooperative learning
d. continuous assessment
- Primary: achieve positive results in all grades.
Secondary: upgrading by streamlining our teaching without sacrificing the enrichment of pupils, and trying to make SCIENCE exciting, interesting and relevant via a computer-based practical/project approach.
3. Continue giving equal emphasis to Chemistry as to Physics.
4. Ensure that grade 8 and 9 boys are following the same objectives.
CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS/ AIMS
These correspond to the seven critical outcomes of an OBE approach, one in which boys are taught to develop respect for the complexity and diversity of Science and its sensitive position in our technological life-world :
1. Critical problem-solving to develop creative thinking skills
2. Effective working in a group (team)
3. Effective self-management, organisation and responsibility
4. Critical research and practical skills so as to evaluate, analyse, interpret, apply, etc.
5. Effective communication skills, especially the language of Science
6. Develop boys’ environmental responsibilities
7. Appreciation of inter-relationships in a holistic world.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
1. Exploring of effective learning strategies
2. Developing of social skills in both local and global contexts
3. Becoming culturally and aesthetically sensitive
4. Awareness of career opportunities in the sciences and technology
5. Appreciation of developing entrepreneurial skills for life outside School.
i.e. students are able to “state, explain, interpret and evaluate scientific and technological knowledge, and can apply it to everyday contexts.”
ACTIONS
1. Setting an example daily in order to stimulate both the ‘bright’ boys as well as the ‘average’ to ‘weak’ boys
2. Debates, class discussions, problem solving questions, worksheets :
3. Teachers must make use of the following networked sites in their teaching/facilitating : John
4. Videos, films, CD Roms, DVD’s, library, Internet
5. Regular homework, testing, monitoring
6. Project and practical work : Investigations, tasks, case studies
7. Expo projects, competitions like MINTEK QUIZ, BRIDGE BUILDING, MTN Centre,
NATIONAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD, TECHNOLOGY OLYMPIAD, etc
Physical Science grade 8 & 9
The OBE approach is to be followed in principle, but the items listed below are considered VITAL for students to know before leaving Grade 9:
- S.I. system of measurement – incl. spelling, abbreviations, pronunciation, etc. (handout)
2. Prefixes ; Greek alphabet (handout)
3. Chemistry an introduction
- names and symbols of elements ex list
- names and formulae of compounds ex list
- simple equations (molecular form) and balancing
- outline of Periodic Table (only elements ex list)
4. Electricity: Effect on light bulb/ammeter of
- cells and resistors in series
- cells and resistors in parallel
5. Forces:
- Balanced forces (in equilibrium) refer to forces acting on single object
- Force as push or pull effect is best definition
6. Laboratory procedure:
(handout): teach pupils skills; to do as much experimental work on their own as possible (in general, confidence/discipline in laboratory, handling apparatus, making measurements/observations – recording on prac sheets – laboratory rules/’housework’,co-operative group work and class presentations , e.g. 4 methods of preparing salts)
7. Mathematical relationships : A µ B and A µ 1/ B and basic graphs and scientific notation for numbers