Related Learning

Leaving Certificate chemistry provides continuity and progression in science that begins in learners’ early childhood education, through the Primary School Curriculum and junior cycle science. 

Early childhood

Aistear, the early childhood curriculum framework, celebrates early childhood as a time of well-being and enjoyment where children learn from experiences as they unfold. The theme of Exploring and Thinking is about children making sense of the things, places and people in their world by interacting with others, playing, investigating, questioning, and forming, testing and refining ideas. 

Primary school

Social, environmental and scientific education (SESE) provides opportunities for children to explore and investigate the world around them from a human, social and cultural perspective.  

The primary science curriculum supports children in learning about the physical and biological aspects of the world by developing their skills in two areas in particular: working scientifically, and designing and making. Throughout the primary science curriculum emphasis is placed on the importance of children learning through practical investigations.

Junior cycle

The learning at the core of junior cycle is described in the statements of learning, a number of which apply to scientific concepts, processes and practices, as well as valuing the role and contribution of science and technology to society.  Student learning in science is placed in the context of science activities, emphasising hands-on engagement.  This approach provides coherence with science in the primary school curriculum. There is an emphasis on inquiry through which learners develop an understanding and appreciation of activities and processes that are fundamental to all science as well as the ability to apply science principles to their everyday lives. Many junior cycle subjects and short courses have close links with chemistry, particularly mathematics, geography, CSPE, PE, SPHE, home economics, technology, metalwork, materials technology (wood) music, and business. Learners build on theses scientific concepts, processes and practices as they progress through the two years of leaving certificate chemistry. 

Senior cycle

Learners build on their science process skills and use them to develop deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Chemistry is not learned in isolation. Many senior cycle subjects have close links with chemistry, including physics, mathematics, biology, agricultural science, geography, home economics—scientific and social, construction studies, engineering and technology. The knowledge and understanding gained in chemistry can be used in conjunction with that developed in these other subjects to enrich overall learning. Chemistry by its nature is quantitative and learners are expected to be able to collect and analyse data, to generalise and to draw conclusions. 

Further learning

Politics and Society provides an opportunity to link into social, scientific and philosophical subjects in further and higher education. Such subjects are currently offered in higher education in the form of programmes in sociology, political studies, philosophy and anthropology, as well as in social studies programmes (often linked to professional development in areas such as social work, social care and human resources management). They are also usually included in interdisciplinary programmes such as international relations, women’s studies, development studies and equality studies.

Community and society

Learners will develop an appreciation of the social and cultural perspectives of chemistry and of the impact of science and technology on people and on the environment. For example, understanding, and the ability to manipulate, molecules have allowed for the development of crop-enhancing agricultural chemicals to ensure a constant and viable food supply. Diseases have been eradicated by developing life-saving pharmaceuticals and chemical pesticides. Chemists have also developed plastics and synthetic fibres for use in both industrial and consumer products. All of these advances come at some cost to the environment. Studying chemistry will assist learners in making informed decisions about the value of chemistry to society versus the impact of chemicals on the environment and help them understand the potential of chemistry to solve some of the serious environmental issues that past and present poor practice in industry (including the chemical industry) and agriculture have created. Learners will have an opportunity to acquire an appreciation of the creative potential of chemistry to make new materials including medicines, textiles and household products that will enhance their futures in practical and enjoyable ways. They can become motivated and enthused by their learning and eager to participate in society, applying their knowledge in the pursuit of a better future.