National Qualifications - Sciences

February 21st, 2011

New Higher Physics Resource - Earthquakes!

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Comments: 2 Comments » Tags:  : Categories Higher Physics, National Qualifications, Researching Physics, Scottish National Qualifications, resources

Check out another brilliant, brand-new resource which has just been produced for the new Higher Physics. The resource is on the topic of ‘Earthquakes‘ and is designed to support the ‘Researching Physics’ unit of the new Higher.

The ‘Researching Physics’ unit helps learners to develop the specific transferable scientific skills which will enable them to make sense of the modern scientific world and to make a smooth progression to further study in S6, college, university, work or life!

This exemplar has been developed in conjunction with SSERC and the British Geological Survey, and provides a challenging and thought-provoking context for the development of scientific investigative skills.

What do you think of it?

November 23rd, 2010

Calling all Aberdeen/ Aberdeenshire Physics teachers

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Comments: none Tags:  : Categories Higher Physics, National Qualifications, Researching Physics, SQA, Scottish National Qualifications, Uncategorized, resources

Roy Pearson (LTS) and John Sharkey (SQA) will be giving a presentation on latest developments and resources for the new CfE-inspired Higher Physics to an Institute of Physics meeting at Aberdeen University on Thursday 25th November 2010.

IOP members and/or interested Physics teachers are invited to come along to the Meston Building at 6.30 pm.

Many brand-new support materials for the new Higher Physics are in production. For a sneaky peak check out the Glow Group!

November 8th, 2010

Transferable Skills - Web-based Research in Chemistry

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Comments: none Tags:  : Categories Higher Biology, Higher Chemistry, Higher Physics, Researching Chemistry, Researching Physics, Scottish National Qualifications, case studies

The new CfE-inspired Higher Sciences specifically develop a number of crucial transferable skills for life and work. In the Physics and Chemistry Highers these skills are gained through the ‘Researching’ half-units, whereas in the Biology and Human Biology Highers they are developed through the ‘case studies’. A mixture of scientific and generic skills are developed throughout the new courses.

One key skill for any scientist is to be able to undertake an effective literature search to find out what is already known about their topic of interest. Web-based research is becoming an increasingly important tool for scientists. Two superb resources (an introductory powerpoint and a set of pupil activities) have been prepared to support teachers and learners with the development of effective web-based research skills in chemistry. These resources can also be found on the NQ Chemistry Glow group.

Watch this space for news on other brand-new resources for the development of other key scientific skills….!

October 20th, 2010

Investigating the Unknown - ‘Bang goes the Theory!’

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Comments: none Tags:  : Categories Advanced Higher investigations, Higher Biology, Higher Chemistry, Higher Physics, Higher Sciences, National Qualifications, Researching Chemistry, Researching Physics, Scottish National Qualifications, Uncategorized, resources

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The new Highers in Chemistry and Physics contain a ‘Researching Chemistry’ half-unit in which students learn about the key skills of scientific enquiry, and then apply and develop these skills via investigation into a topical scientific issue.

Teachers will find the BBC video clip above from the TV programme ‘Bang Goes the Theory’ on ‘How to Investigate the Unknown’ to be a useful introduction to the concepts involved in scientific research. It is based on research into factors affecting the effectiveness of ‘canister rockets’, but could be re-applied to any other research topic.

The weblink also gives interesting additional background reading and suggested activities. The resource could also be used to introduce investigative activities in any scientific context, especially Adavanced Higher investigations.

Enjoy!