We come across science in everyday things in the world around us, both living and non-living. Studying Science in school can help you to understand the importance of science in our lives and in the environment.
Subject Overview
Science essentially deals with the knowledge and understanding of our world. The study of science is concerned with the understanding of a body of scientific knowledge and the development of scientific skills through practical activities. It contributes to the development of logical thinking and reasoning, and skills of observation, measurement, interpretation, numeracy, problem solving and decision making.
It enables students to build on their learning in primary school and to further develop their knowledge of and about science. Students enhance their scientific literacy by developing their ability to explain phenomena scientifically; their understanding of scientific inquiry; and their ability to interpret and analyse scientific evidence and data to draw appropriate conclusions.
Junior Certificate Science provides a suitable preparation the study of one or more science subject at senior cycle. It is necessary that students study Science to Junior Cert in order to take any of the science subjects at Leaving Cert level.
Content
The ‘Nature of Science’ is the unifying strand across all four contextual strands: the Physical World, The Chemical World, the Biological World, and Earth and Space. The ‘Nature of Science’ aims to promote greater engagement and thinking about how science works; carrying out investigations, communicating in science, and the role and contribution of science and scientists to society.
Learning Outcomes
Assessment for the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA)
Assessment comprises 4 parts: Two CBAs, an Assessment Task (worth 10%) and a final written paper (worth 90%).
The two CBAs are assessed at Common Level. They relate to specified learning outcomes and link to important aspects of the development of students’ science knowledge, understanding, skills, and values. Both Classroom-Based Assessments relate to
priorities for learning and teaching such as investigating, and communicating in
science, while at the same time developing their knowledge and understanding of
science, which are vital to working like a scientist.
(Specification for Junior Cycle Science, p22)
CBA 1-Extended Experimental Investigation (EEI)
The EEI comprises of four areas of activity: questioning and predicting, planning and conducting,
processing and analysing, and reflecting and reporting.
CBA 2 - Science in Society Investigation (SSI)
The SSI gives students an opportunity to explore a scientific topic or
issue. It is an individual research project comprising of three activities: initiating research,
communicating, and evaluating.
The Assessment Task
The Assessment Task links to the principal objective of the SSI, which is to analyse the information/secondary data collected, evaluate the claims and opinions studied, and draw evidence-based conclusions about the issues involved. The knowledge and skills developed by students during this Classroom-Based Assessment emerge from their growing awareness of scientific inquiry.
Final Written Exam
There will be one examination paper at a common level, set by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). The examination will be two hours in duration and will take place at the end of third year. During this assessment students will be required to engage with, demonstrate comprehension of, and provide written responses to stimulus material. The content and format of the final examination may vary from year to year. In any year, the learning outcomes to be assessed will constitute a sample of the outcomes from the tables of learning outcomes .
In addition to its practical applications, learning science is a rewarding enterprise in its own right. Students’ natural curiosity and wonder about the world around them can be nurtured and developed through experiencing the joy of scientific discovery.
Information on Junior Cycle Science
"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge."
Carl Sagan
Science In Pres
Our science teachers put a lot of work into tutoring and encouraging students to participate in various Science quizzes and competitions of which we have won the BT Young Scientist, EcoUnesco, One Good Idea and ISTA Science Quizzes. Four 3rd years have been invited to participate in in a Science Olympiad in DCU on the basis of the outstanding results in their Junior Cert Maths and Science results (Junior Cert 2018)
