Why Science is important

1. Why Science is important • Science explains the world. • Science helps improve our lives.

2. How understanding science helps you understand the world • Science: • Links your practical experience of the world to ideas that explain them. • Satisfies curiosity about phenomena with explanations. • Initiates critical and creative thought. • Shows you how scientific ideas contribute to technological changes. • Helps you to question and discuss science-based issues.

3. How taking GCSE Science will help you • Throughout your life you will meet with the products of science and technology: • – you’ll use mobile phones, take advice from doctors, and see articles in the media. • Your science lessons will give you the skills to help you understand how new developments affect you: • – you’ll learn how to apply your scientific knowledge to questions that arise in everyday life, such as should we be worried about having vaccinations. • You will also study how science itself has changed: • – you’ll learn how the concepts of proof and evidence have developed. Then you can decide for yourself if you’re convinced about new discoveries.

4. Your Science Options at KS4 • Double Award GCSE in Science • – Double GCSE, (i.e. final grade is a double grade e.g. AA) The most popular option. • Double Award GCSE in Applied Science • – Double GCSE, (i.e. final grade is a double grade e.g. AA) Very appropriate for those with a particular interest in how science is used. • Triple Award GCSE • – Three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, this is a demanding option as you may have to do it in less than three GCSEs worth of time. • Single Award GCSE in Science • – One GCSE, not suitable for anyone with an interest in studying science or technology after the age of 16.

5. What is GCSE Double Science about? • The study of: • Living Processes & Living Things (Biology). • Materials and their Properties (Chemistry). • Physical Processes (Physics). • The Nature of Science. • as well as studying theory, you will investigate practical issues, such as: • the effect of exercise on your heart; • what effects the speed of chemical reactions; • the use of solar panels in heating water.

6. What do you do in Double Award Science – I? • Learn about a wider range of scientific ideas and in more depth, so that you could go on and study science further, or use science in your career. • Lean to carry out investigations using a range of approaches, including researching useful sources, working on your own and with others. • Learn to make measurements, analyse your results, draw conclusions and evaluate your work.

7. What do you do in Double Award Science – II? • Consider how science can be useful in looking at industrial, ethical and environmental issues, and how different groups have different views about the role of science. • See how scientists work together to develop new ideas, how new theories develop, and how society affects which theories are accepted. • Communicate ideas clearly and precisely in a variety of ways.

8. Is there any coursework? • Coursework is similar to the investigations you have already done. • At the end of your course you will have to hand in a folder containing coursework that will count towards your final grade. • You will improve your skills at for planning an investigation, carrying it out, collecting results and observations and then explaining what has happened.

9. What is GCSE Applied Science about? • Developing Scientific Skills • the skills needed to carry out experiments and work in the laboratory. • Science for the needs of Society • the materials and living organisms that scientists work with. • Science At Work • how science may be used to the great benefit of industry and society.

10. What do you do in Double Award Applied Science – I? • Learn about the science people use in a wide variety of jobs and develop an understanding of science and how it is used to benefit society. • Prepare for further study on a vocational course in science or in a science-related subject, for employment or further training within industry. • Learn how you can apply scientific knowledge and skills to solve problems in a variety of jobs.

11. What do you do in Double Award Applied Science – II? • Learn to manage your time and resources and work as part of a team. • Carry out the experimental and laboratory techniques used by scientists in their work and develop the skills to use scientific equipment confidently. • Learn to communicate ideas clearly and precisely in a variety of ways.

12. What about my results? • You will receive your final results towards the end of August. • The double award certificate will show two grades from A*A* – GG, it will show the same grade twice. • The single award certificate and each separate science certificates will only show one grade from A* – G.

13. What can I do next with GCSE Science? • Study a GCE AS or A level in Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics. • Study science in a vocational context. For example a vocational A level in Science or Health and Social Care. There are also science based courses in, for example, animal nursing, dental technology or electronics. • Many jobs and careers start with a GCSE Science qualification – all areas of science as well as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, environmental studies, teaching, engineering and computing.

14. Who is the scientist? • People who do science • People who use science • People who studied science

15. Pathologist – Craig Brandwood • Career Craig is working on a PhD that involves looking very closely at cells to find out what causes a disease of the bones called Padget’s disease. He works with a lot of different people, including doctors, other PhD students, senior researchers, and laboratory technicians. He has been to conferences all over the world to meet other people doing similar research. • Education Craig grew up in Beverley, East Yorkshire. He studied A-Levels in English Literature, Biology and Chemistry. He went to Liverpool University and did a three-year degree in Biochemistry.

16. Geneticist – Liz Sockett • Career Dr Liz Sockett is Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Genetics at Nottingham University. Her research looks at the genetics and genetic engineering of bacteria. She is particularly interested in how bacteria swim through liquids. • Education Liz was born in Newcastle and went to school there. At school she did GCSEs in English, foreign languages, sciences, maths & geography followed by A levels in Biology Chemistry & Physics. She studied Biochemistry & Microbiology for a B.Sc degree at Leeds University.

17. Colour Technician – Joanne Whittaker • Career Joanne is a Colour Technician, which means she specialises in hair colour and tints. During her NVQ training she had to learn about the science involved in perming and colouring hair. Handling chemicals in science lessons was good experience for this. • Education Joanne grew up and lives in Manchester. At school she gained GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, Drama, Geography, Child Development, Food Technology, and Religious Studies. During a school work-experience placement Joanne was offered a job as a Junior Hairdresser. Whilst working she completed her NVQ Level II in Hairdressing, followed by NVQ Level III in Advanced Hairdressing.

18. Civil Servant – Dr Jacqui Russell • Career Jaqui worked as a teacher for two years before she moved to the Department for Education and Skills. She is now a scientific adviser in the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. She works as part of a small team that helps MPs and Peers to understand the science behind the issues. • Education Jacqui did AS level Maths and A level Biology, Chemistry and Physics. She went on to study Biochemistry and Genetics at Nottingham University. Jacqui completed a PhD on genes and the immune system at Leicester University, before training to be a teacher.

19. Presenter – David Bromfield • Career You may have seen David on Tomorrows World (TW). While David was teaching he won the BBC Talent competition and became a presenter on TW. David has to research stories for the programme and then persuade other people that they would be interesting. • Education David went to school in Wandsworth, where he studied A-level Chemistry, Physics and Zoology. Then he did a degree in Biochemical Genetics at East London Polytechnic. After that he trained to be a chemistry teacher and did a Masters Degree in Science Education.  

20. Education Officer – Suzanne Thomas • Career After her degree Suzanne travelled to Cameroon and worked for a charity caring for orphan chimpanzees and gorillas. She then worked for two years as a keeper at Chester Zoo. She is now an Education Officer at the zoo. Her job involves teaching children about a variety of biology-based subjects; from classification to animal behaviour. • Education Suzanne took A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, English and Business Studies. She then went on to study a degree Plant and Animal Biology at Newcastle Upon Tyne University.

21. Programmer – James Murray • Career James makes computer models of flowing fluids. These fluids could be waves crashing on a beach, or the swirling gases round a newly formed star. He is working with an expert in computer graphics and visualisation and wants to make better animations of flowing fluids for the movie industry. • Education James grew up in Melbourne, Australia. At high school he studied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English and French. He did a four year degree in Applied Mathematics and then a PhD in computational astrophysics.

22. Management Trainer – Chris Stuart • Career Chris is a director for a management training firm. Chris designs and runs training courses covering a wide range of business areas. He is also responsible for gaining new work from clients, and for managing his companies computer and IT systems. • Education Chris grew up in London and took A levels in Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Further Maths. He went on to study Physics at Cambridge University. After University, Chris spent a year teaching in Hong Kong, before training as a Chartered Accountant in London.

23. Engineer – Catherine MacDonald • Career Catherine works for Jordan Grand Prix in the Composites Department as a designer. Her main job is to design parts of the Jordan car, mainly those that are made of composite materials. To do this she has to work with other designers, race mechanics and the laminators who manufacture the parts. • Education Catherine did A-levels in Maths, Mechanics, Physics and Chemistry. She went on to study Engineering at Cambridge University, specialising in Mechanical Engineering. Before university Catherine took a year out working for Ricardo Consulting Engineers.

24. Perfume Chemist – Virginie Daniau • Career Virginie works for a perfume company called Quest. When someone discovers a new perfume molecule, she has to work out the best way to make it in the lab. The process she chooses has to be safe, environmentally friendly, and be economic. She also works closely with ’perfumers’ who test the smell of the molecules to see if it’s good enough. • Education Virginie lives and works in France. She did A-levels in Maths,Physics and Chemistry. Virginie then specialised in Chemistry at university.