Perth Academy Environmental Science National 4 and 5 Student Guide
National 4 and 5 Environmental Science The purpose of the Environmental Science course is to develop learners interest and enthusiasm for the subject by tackling issues such as global climate change, pollution, use of land and water resources and changes in wildlife habitats. It involves using investigative and experimental skills to develop an understanding of scientific principles, economic influences and political action. Environmental science takes a problem solving approach to attempt to develop solutions that prevent or reverse environmental deterioration and aim for sustainable practices. What Will I be Learning? The course is made up of three units: Living Environment Earth s Resources Sustainability In addition to this you will need to complete a piece of independent research which will be assessed and count towards your final grade. Living Environment The topics you will study in the living environment are: Investigating ecosystems and biodiversity Interdependence and adaptation Human influences on biodiversity Impact of natural hazards on biodiversity Earth s Resources The topics you will study in earth s resources are: Overview of Earth s systems and their interactions Geosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere Atmosphere
Sustainability The topics you will study in sustainability are: Food Water Energy Waste management Transport Fieldwork We will be completing a few fieldtrips to help give you a better understanding of what we have learned in class. In addition to this, outside speakers will be invited to the school to provide you with their expertise. We will be going on the following fieldtrips: Local area and school grounds Kinnoull Hill Webwalk at Friarton Quarrymill Pond Outline of the Course Topic Unit Assessment Investigating Ecosystems Living Environment End of topic Interdependence and adaptation Living Environment End of topic Biosphere Earth s Resources End of topic Geosphere Earth s Resources End of topic Energy Sustainability End of topic Atmosphere Earth s Resources End of topic Waste management Sustainability End of topic Water and Hydrosphere Sustainability/ Earth s Resources End of topic Food Sustainability End of topic Assignment Assignment write-up Human Influences on biodiversity Living Environment End of topic Impact of natural hazards Living Environment Unit Assessment Transport Sustainability Unit Assessment Hydrosphere Earth s Resources Unit Assessment
How Will I be Assessed? Progress will be monitored throughout and will take the form of formal written assessments, peer and self-assessments, presentations, experiments and reports. Homework will be issued on a regular basis to extend learning beyond the classroom and enhance the activities that are completed in school. These will often take the form of past paper or exam style questions. How Do I Pass Each Unit? You will need to show that you meet the standards for the course. You will be given unit assessments that, if you answer well, will show that your work meets the unit outcomes for each unit. The unit outcomes are the same for each unit and evidence for achievement of Outcome 1 and Assessment Standards 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 in any unit can be used for all other units. You can find all of the unit outcomes below: Outcome 1 The learner will: 1 Apply skills of scientific inquiry and draw on knowledge and understanding of the key areas of this Unit to carry out an experiment/practical investigation by: 1.1 Planning an experiment/practical investigation 1.2 Following procedures safely 1.3 Making and recording observations/measurements correctly 1.4 Presenting results in an appropriate format 1.5 Drawing valid conclusions 1.6 Evaluating experimental procedures Outcome 2 The learner will: 2 Draw on knowledge and understanding of the key areas of this Unit and apply scientific skills by: 2.1 Making accurate statements 2.2 Describing an application 2.3 Describing an environmental science issue in terms of the effect on the environment / society 2.4 Solving problems How Do I Pass the Course? National 4 pupils will need to pass all unit outcomes for each of the three units as well as completing an Added Value Unit which consists of a report on a piece of independent research. These will be assessed internally on a pass/fail basis. National 5 pupils will need to pass all unit outcomes for each of the three units as well completing an Assignment, which is a write-up of a piece of independent research, completed under exam conditions and assessed externally out of 20 marks. There will also be an external exam which is marked out of 80. The final award will therefore be marked out of a combined total of 100 marks and graded A-D.
National 5 Exam The National 5 exam is 2hrs long and is marked out of 80, which is 80% of the overall marks for the course assessment. The question paper will have one Section, which contains restricted and extended response questions. Marks will be distributed, approximately proportionally, across the Units. There will be an element of choice in the exam so you need to read the instructions very carefully. You will sit a prelim which will replicate the format of the final exam to help you. National 5 Assignment The other 20 marks (20% of the total for the course assessment) that make up your total are for the assignment. For the assignment, you will have to research a topic within Environmental Science that has an effect on the environment and/or society and complete a report based upon your findings which will be marked externally by SQA. Where Can I Find More Information? You can find information, news, letters and coursework on the Geography department website: http://www.perthacademy.org.uk/social-studies-geography-environmental-science.php