SYLLABUS AIMS
Science education at junior cycle should
- encourage the development of manipulative, procedural, cognitive, affective and communication skills through practical activities that foster investigation, imagination, and creativity
- provide opportunities for observing and evaluating phenomena and processes and for drawing valid deductions and conclusions
- enable students to acquire a body of scientific knowledge appropriate to their age, and an understanding of the relevance and applications of science in their personal and social lives
- foster an appreciation of and respect for life and the environment, while at the same time developing awareness of the potential use, misuse and limitations of science, and of health and safety issues relating to science
- provide a balanced understanding of the physical, biological and chemical dimensions of science, thus facilitating the further study of science in the senior cycle.
- develop a sense of enjoyment in the learning of science.
SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES
Knowledge and understanding
The student will develop a knowledge and understanding of
- the various forms of matter and the reactions and interactions which enable matter to be transformed
- the ways in which the composition of materials around us affects our quality of life
- energy in its various forms, the application of energy conversions, and the need for economical use of energy sources
- the composition of the atmosphere and the importance of air and water to life
- the nutritional needs of plants and animals and their interdependence
- important principles, theories and facts relating to science and their applications in everyday living
- the scientific method and the concept of a valid experiment
- the underlying scientific principles applied to industry at local, national and international level
- the ways in which a code of safety can be applied in scientific and technological investigations and activities.
Skills
The student will develop skills associated with
- manipulation of equipment and manual dexterity, with due regard to issues of health and safety
- procedural plans and the use of the scientific method in problem solving
- observation, measurement and the accurate recording of data
- obtaining and using information from a variety of sources
- numeracy, and the manipulation and interpretation of data in a variety of forms, including the use of symbols, charts and graphs
- logical thinking, inductive and deductive reasoning, and the formation of opinions and judgments based on evidence and experiment
- the preparation and presentation of reports on scientific topics, experiments, etc.
- independent study and co-operative learning
- the application of scientific knowledge to everyday life experiences.
Attitudes
The student will develop
- a sense of safety in the laboratory, at home, in the workplace, and in the environment
- a sense of accuracy and attention to detail
- an appreciation of the role of science in the everyday world
- a scientific interest in the local community and environment
- an awareness of health issues.