Bye-ology: GCSE guide ditches names of sciences

[RuleBritannia]

EDUCATION chiefs have issued a science teaching guide that astonishingly fails to mention biology, chemistry or physics.

The subjects are instead called "organisms and health", "chemical and material behaviour" and "environment, Earth and universe".

The Tories, who uncovered the six-page curriculum document for GCSE pupils, last night accused Labour of trying to "dumb down" science teaching.

Shadow schools minister Nick Gibbs said: "It is crazy that the science curriculum for 16-year-olds does not even mention the words physics, chemistry or biology.

"The Government has devalued the curriculum and exam system. Private schools are shifting to international exams.

"We will make the curriculum and exam system globally respected - as it used to be."

The guide was issued to teachers by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority.

It says pupils should be taught the "knowledge, skills and understanding of how science works" - but does not mention the three traditional disciplines.

A QCDA spokeswoman insisted physics, chemistry and biology are not being ignored.

She said: "QCDA develops the science curriculum, working closely with schools, the science community and employers.

"The curriculum covers the broad areas of modern science and the different paths young people can follow, while providing a thorough grounding in chemistry, physics and biology."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... um=twitter

[FBM]

I can see how the traditional names of the sciences can be intimidating for young'uns. Dumb young'uns, that is.

[JenniferT]

It's in The Sun. Therefore, we can safely assume it's a flat-out lie.

[95Theses]

This isn't a new thing.

I got 2 A*'s in 'Science' in 1994

I could still go on to do any of the regular science A levels that I wanted to do. (I did Physics and Chemistry no bother)

[ficklefiend]

I think most schools have a general science option. (in our school this was dubbed "spud science", sorry)

From what I hear of the English system, it sounds flaky. I'm sure they could transplant our system easily enough if it bothers them.

[RuleBritannia]

Well I went to three secondary/high schools, one in Wales and two in England, the first (Wales) and third (England) had 'science' while the second (England) had physics, biology and chemistry as seperate subjects, so I don't think there's a standard for the whole of England & Wales.

[Clinton Huxley]

It doesn't really matter what you call these courses. The key thing, IMO, is that children are taught to a good foundational level in "the sciences", that they are taught how science works and that they still get to put mercury down each others pants and set fire to each other in their practical lessons.

[Loki_999]

We had separate Biology, Physics, Chemsitry, and the best was Rural Science, the highlight of which was when the teacher brought in two rabbits and they started going at it like... well... rabbits. Also we got to make our own beer.

Overall pretty good.

Anyway, not surprised they haven't distilled these 3 sciences into : Sex, How stuff workz, and Drugs/Narcotics.

[Clinton Huxley]

I think kids should have a couple of hours "tinkering" time every week. Stick em in a room with loads of wires, pulleys, bits of Meccano, electric motors, electronic components and cheese and let them get on with it.

[Mysturji]

I think kids should have a couple of hours "tinkering" time every week. Stick em in a room with loads of wires, pulleys, bits of Meccano, electric motors, electronic components and cheese and let them get on with it.

Such a class would probably soon divide into 4 groups:
a & b) Builders of mechanical torture devices and their victims.
c & d) Builders of electrical torture devices and their victims.

[Clinton Huxley]

I think kids should have a couple of hours "tinkering" time every week. Stick em in a room with loads of wires, pulleys, bits of Meccano, electric motors, electronic components and cheese and let them get on with it.

Such a class would probably soon divide into 4 groups:
a & b) Builders of mechanical torture devices and their victims.
c & d) Builders of electrical torture devices and their victims.

I remain sanguine at the prospect....

[ficklefiend]

I remember once I finished all the work the teacher had for me and he gave me a plug and a screwdriver and got me to rewire it.

It is sort of backwards that I was doing that while the others who couldn't wrap their heads around the science, but could probably have really used someone to teach them to re-wire a plug, would never finish fast enough to do random things like that.

[95Theses]

I think most schools have a general science option. (in our school this was dubbed "spud science", sorry)

From what I hear of the English system, it sounds flaky. I'm sure they could transplant our system easily enough if it bothers them.

heh

We didn't get a choice, everyone did the combined Sciences GCSE