The Science department has worked closely with Education Scotland to develop a new Science course which meets the needs of our future generations. Our new BGE course consists of six units, each based around themes that research has shown are of interest to young people.  In addition to the core Science  knowledge that we have always covered, each unit has been designed to foster sustainable attitudes, develop scientific skills and improve digital literacy. A brief overview of the key themes have been provided.

 

Survivor

Pupils are deserted on a remote Scottish Island where they will have to learn to survive.  Based around the survival rule of 3, students learn the science behind survival skills.  The importance of shelter, clean water, food sources and microorganisms are all explored.  Towards the end of the unit, students then start to shift the emphasis from surviving to thriving as they learn the importance of a sustainable lifestyle.

 

Earth and Beyond

Life is unique and the survival of our planet is fragile. Students spend time learning about the different spheres of the Earth and the relationship between them.  From the plant and animal kingdoms of the biosphere to the formation of Earth and rocks  and the make up of the atmosphere.  All living things are studied in this unit. Students then delve into the forces that keep us on Earth and then look to the skies to study the possibility of life beyond Earth as we look at the make up of space.

 

Building a Healthy Body

Maintaining a healthy body is a lifelong commitment. Pupils start by studying the basic building blocks of life. They then follow the journey of a human from conception to adulthood. After this, they deepen their understanding of organ systems and how the human body functions. Finally, they explore the role technology plays in maintaining health.

 

Call to Action

Phones are now seen as a necessity to everyday life. What are they made from?  Are they sustainable? How do they work? In this unit pupils learn about the elements and  how they are extracted for use in phones. Pupils then examine electrical circuits and the science behind batteries.

 

It wisnae me

A classic Alloa Academy ‘who dunnit ‘ crime scene. Pupils learn the science behind a number of techniques carried out by Scene of the Crime Officers (SOCO). This is a very hands-on unit with lots of experiments that develop our ability to follow scientific procedures and problem solve.  The unit culminates with our pupils taking on the role of a SOCO before justifying their findings as they give evidence in a courtroom scenario.

 

Future Ready

In our ever changing society, global communities are more accessible and our young people must be prepared to take the role of a global citizen. Scotland is a leading light in the renewables energy sector. In this unit pupils deepen their knowledge of future energy sources by studying matter and how heat is transferred. Comparisons are made between the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels to alternative fuel sources and renewable energies. The unit culminates with pupils designing a house for the future that is as environmentally friendly as possible with low emissions and carbon footprint.