Twenty First Century Science - 2006page 1

Entry level and GCSE Additional Applied Science

Linking Entry level with GCSE Additional Applied Science

GCSE Additional Applied Science in the Twenty First Century Science programme can successfully motivate students that do not thrive in a concept-led course. The course is in many ways a natural progression from Entry level. The applied modules are set in practical contexts of everyday importance. The course motivates by building on success.

There are many similarities in the approach to assessment as shown by this table. For potential F and G grade students the assessment model for GCSE Additional Applied Science may seem a more accessible progression from Entry level that the assessment model for GCSE Science.

What is assessed / Entry level assessment / GCSE Additional Applied Science assessment
Knowledge and understanding / Short tests / Short tests
Hands-on skills / Can-do tasks / Standard procedures
Analysis of data / Data analysis / Suitability test
Research and presentation / Science topic / Work related report

Entry level items and Additional Applied Science modules

There are three modules in GCSE Additional Applied which links closely to Entry level items. This is shown in the following tables. This allows for progression to three out of the six modules for GCSE Additional Applied Science (all that students have to study). Sticking to these three modules could be the better approach if the Entry level course runs over two years with a relative late decision to enter for GCSE. Even so it might be more stimulating to take on at least one fresh module. A4 Scientific detection is popular and appropriate.

However some school may choose to complete Entry level in year 10 (in double-science time) and then offer GCSE to some students in year 11. If so the choice of additional applied modules is more open, though A1, A2, A3 and A6 are likely to more appropriate for young people moving on from Entry level.

The tables below show that there are links between 17 of the Entry level items and the three Additional Applied modules (9 biology items, 4 chemistry items and 4 physics items). There can be a free choice when selecting the other Entry level items to cover.

A1 Life Care

AP1: Life Care / Related Entry level items / Notes on the Entry level content
1.1 People and organisations / B2 Babies
B4 Casualty / These two items suggest experiences involving healthcare workers.
1.2 Baseline assessment
  • Medical history
/ B4 Casualty / Knowing what to do in a medical emergency is relevant in this context.
  • Basic tests
/ B1 Dead or alive
B4 Casualty / Students find out how exercise affects breathing and pulse rates. They link recovery time to fitness.
  • Further tests
/ B2 Babies / Tests to monitor pregnancy including urine tests
1.3 Diagnosis and action plans
  • Using data from tests to assess health or fitness
/ B1 Dead or alive / The suggested data analysis is about the effect of exercise on breathing rate.
1.4 Treatment and aftercare / This section of the module is not explicitly covered by any items.
1.5 Underlying skills and knowledge / B1 Dead or alive / This item revisits ideas from earlier Key Stages which students need to build on.
  • The heart, blood vessels
/ B4 Casualty / The item covers the heart and circulatory system.
  • Breathing system, structure and function
/ B7 Gasping for breath / This item covers the breathing system and respiration.
  • Composition of the blood
/ B4 Casualty / This item covers the circulation of oxygen in the body but not detail of the composition of the blood.
  • Skeleton: structure and function. Ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones
/ Muscles feature in items B4, B6 and B7 but the skeletal system is not covered in Entry level.
  • Female reproductive system including changes during pregnancy and birth
/ B2 Babies / The item includes the female reproductive system and changes during pregnancy and birth
  • Body’s response to changes in temperature
/ B6 Control systems / The item covers how the body controls its temperature and water content.
  • The function of the kidneys
/ B6 Control systems / This item includes the knowledge that kidneys remove excess water.

A2 Agriculture and food

AP2: Agriculture and food / Related Entry level items / Notes on the Entry level content
AP2.1 The agriculture and food industries
  • Farming in Britain
/ B11 From field to plate
C5 Fibres and fabrics / This item uses the commercial ‘food chain’ for milk to illustrate stages from field to plate.
This item shows that plants and animals are sources of natural fibres
AP2.2 Growing plants for food
  • Food from plants
/ B10 Green and growing / This item covers the different parts of plants that people eat.
  • Life cycle of flowering plants
/ B10 Green and growing / The item covers key stages in the life cycle of plants and the functions of roots and leaves.
  • Germination of seeds
/ B10 Green and growing / The suggested data analysis is based on data from studies of germination.
  • Growing media and their characteristics
/ B11 From field to plate
C1 Acids and alkalis / This item includes tests on samples of soil and the different pH preferences of plant species
This item covers pH including the pH of soils
  • Photosynthesis
/ B8 Creepy crawlies / This item introduces the idea that plants make their own food from carbon dioxide and water.
  • Taking cuttings
/ B10 Green and growing / The item covers cloning plants by taking cuttings.
AP2.3 Animal farming for food
  • Food from animals
/ B11 From field to plate / This item features milk and milk processing. It also covers aspects of organic farming
  • Animal reproduction and breeding including selective breeding
/ B2 Babies
B10 Green and growing / The item deals with human reproduction but introduces language and ideas that also apply to animals.
This item introduces the idea of selective breeding – mainly with plants but interpretation of data from animal breeding is included.
  • Processing a food product from animals
/ B11 From field to plate / This item covers the stage in the production of milk, cheese and yogurt.
AP2.4 Biotechnology and food
  • Food from microorganisms
/ B11 From field to plate / This item includes examples of food and drink made with the help of microorganisms: cheese, yogurt
  • Types of microorganisms
/ B13 Body wars / This item covers the different types of microorganisms in the context of infectious diseases.
  • Population growth
/ B13 Body wars / This item features the interpretation of data related to the size of microbial populations.
  • Stages in processing a food product made with microorganisms
/ B11 From field to plate / This item includes the stages in turning into milk or yogurt.
AP2.5 Quality, value and sustainability
  • The importance of testing to ensure the quality and safety of food.
/ B11 From field to plate
B13 Body wars / These items feature the importance of hygiene in making diary products and preparing food.

A6 Materials and performance

AP6: Materials and performance / Related Entry level items / Notes on the Entry level content
AP6.1 People and organisations / This work-related section is not explicitly covered by any items.
AP6.2 Mechanical behaviour of materials
  • Mechanical properties and how to measure them
/ C4 Heavy metal?
C5 Fibres and fabrics
P4 G-force
C7 Strong stuff / This item includes a comparison of the densities of iron and aluminium
These items include opportunities to measure the stretchiness of fibres.
In this item students compare the hardness of minerals using scratch tests.
  • Alloys: their properties and uses
/ C7 Strong stuff / In this item students compare pure metals and alloys. They relate the properties of alloys to their uses
  • Composite materials
/ C7 Strong stuff / This item features selected composites: their advantages and uses
  • Forces and movement
/ P4 G-force / This item explores the force of gravity and the motion of falling objects.
  • Materials and devices to improve road safety
/ P4 G-force / This item covers the uses of materials in a number of devices to improve road safety
AP6.3 Electrical, thermal and acoustic behaviour of materials
  • Electrical properties, their measurement and applications
/ This section is not explicitly covered in detail by any items.
  • Thermal properties, their measurement and applications
/ P10 Hot stuff / This item compares some thermal properties of metals and polymers. It also covers the use of insulators to slow down energy loss from buildings and from hot food.
  • Sound, noise and their effects
/ P9 Sound effects / This item deals with the amplitude, pitch and frequency of sound; also with sound as a wave and with the dangers of loud sounds.
AP6.4 Optical behaviour of materials
  • Optical properties and the use of materials
/ P5 Let there be light / This item covers optical fibres and their uses to transmit data
  • Mirrors and lenses
/ P5 Let there be light / This item includes an introduction to reflection and refraction by mirrors and lenses
AP6.5 Underlying skills and knowledge
  • Comparison of classes of materials in terms of properties
/ C5 Fibres and fabrics
C7 Strong stuff / This items illustrates some properties of synthetic polymers
In this item compare metals with non-metallic materials with respect to mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. They also meet ceramic bricks as well as concrete and relate their properties to uses.