Throughout all areas of the science curriculum offered at Forres Academy we aim to enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens who will recognise the impact of science on their lives, the environment and society in order to allow them to understand and engage in topical scientific debate. At all levels of the science curriculum, learners will develop skills for learning beyond the science classroom as they prepare for lifelong learning and employment.
|Dr M Shand||Principal Teacher of Science
Teacher of Chemistry
|Mrs J Barerre||Teacher of Biology||Y19|
|Ms J Oag||Teacher of Biology||G16|
|Miss C McCormick||Teacher of Chemistry||Y16|
|Mr M Thornton||Teacher of Physics||R16|
|Mr F Wilson||Teacher of Physics||Y15|
S1 – 3 Broad General Education
In S1 and S2, all pupils follow the same science course. It provides a broad general introduction to science to equip all pupils with a range of scientific skills and basic scientific knowledge. Pupils attend science 3 times a week.
The S1 – S2 course covers the 5 areas identified in the Curriculum Organisers of the National Benchmarks for the Sciences:
- Planet Earth,
- Forces, Electricity & Waves
- Biological Systems
- Topical Science
Predominantly this will be at level 2 and 3.
In S1, pupils will learn about
- the states of matter, elements, atoms and compounds, gases in the atmosphere
- cells, plants, photosynthesis and body systems
- electricity and magnetism
In S2, pupils learn about
- reproduction and genetics
- separating methods, chemical reactions, acids and alkalis
- types of energy and forces
The additional skills that are developed include presentation of data, reporting and summarising findings through investigation and an extended use of scientific vocabulary and research.
Towards the end of S2 pupils are asked to choose which courses to take in S3, one of which should be a science. Pupils can take up to 3 sciences.
S1 & 2 Resources
In S3, pupils will cover the areas identified in the curriculum organisers, to a greater depth at level 3 and level 4. To allow the successful delivery of the specialism needed at level 3 and 4, the curriculum is organised into the three discrete sciences. Pupils will attend 3 classes a week per science based on their course choice.
In S3 Biology, pupils will learn about
- DNA and inheritance
- animal responses and behaviour
- plant reproduction
In S3 Chemistry, pupils will learn about
- atomic structure
- fertilisers and the nitrogen cycle
- writing formula
- hydrocarbons and fuels
In S3 Physics, pupils will learn about
- forces and space