Investigating potential
Yeats College teacher Diane Walsh outlines all you need to be aware of and do in order to get the best marks possible in your Junior Cert Science exam
Junior Cert Science places a big emphasis on scientific investigation and the skills attained through practical investigations and how they are applied to everyday life. Science is examined at two levels, ordinary and higher. At each level, assessments are by means of coursework and a written exam paper.
OVERVIEW OF COURSEWORK AND EXAM PAPER
Coursework A: Experiments and investigations outlined in the syllabus (60 marks or 10% of the total) Coursework B: Two additional specified investigations or one of the student’s own choice (150 marks or 25% of the total) Exam paper: This is a two-hour written paper (390 marks or 65% of the total).
COURSEWORK A
This section comprises of 30 mandatory experiments or investigations which are outlined in the syllabus. Students will complete ten experiments from each of the three sections Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These will be completed over the three-year period from First to Third Year. Students will complete each mandatory experiment and complete a report on each in their practical Science notebooks. These notebooks are kept in the school and must be made available for inspection if required by an examiner. Students will then indicate in their coursework reporting booklet the number of mandatory experiments completed. Doing so will indicate that the student has carried out the experiment and written up the experiment themselves. If students have not completed all mandatory experiments there are alternative experiments and investigations in the syllabus. However a student cannot complete more than two alternative investigations in each section.
This 10% can be easily gained by ensuring that all mandatory experiments are completed.
COURSEWORK B
Students are required to complete two of this year’s specified investigations. Alternatively students can choose to do an investigation of his/her own choosing. The investigation that they choose must be of the same workload as the investigations specified by the State Examinations Commission.
Key points for report writing for Coursework B:
• These investigations have to be written up in a separate booklet (green booklet).
• You will be guided in the booklet as to how much detail is required, there is space allocated for each section. No additional loose material should be included. As a general rule an investigation shouldn’t exceed 1,000 words including labelled diagrams and graphs.
• For guidance on mark allocation students should become familiar with previous years marking schemes.
• It is important that all work included in the reports is the work of that student; this can be achieved by using your own unique language and style.
The three investigations for 2018 are:
• Biology – Investigate and compare the quantitative effects of changing: a) Concentration of solution b) Type of solute used
on the change in mass of a sample of potato placed in distilled water, salt solution and sugar solution.
• Chemistry – Investigate and compare the quantitative effects of changing: a) Applied voltage b) Concentration of sulfuric acid
on the rate of production of either hydrogen or oxygen gas during the electrolysis of acidified water.
• Physics – Investigate and compare the quantitative effects of changing: a) Hair colour b) The usage of shampoo or similar commercial hair treatments on the tensile strength of hair taken from the human head.
Students own investigation: This investigation is chosen by the candidate. Before starting the experiment the student should ensure that the investigation warrants the same workload as those specified by the State Examinations Commission. The reports need to be written up in the same manner as the specified investigations, which are described below.
Coursework B – Breakdown of marks:
Students will choose two of the above investigations and each of them will be marked under the following headings: (All marks given here are a guideline and can change depending on the nature of the investigation)
1. Introduction
This section is split into two areas: • Statement/identification of the problem: a repeat of the title is acceptable here. (2 marks) • Background research: There must be evidence here of research. Any reference to a book (including author), website (including web address) or video. (3 marks)
2. Preparation and planning
This section has three parts:
• Variables and controls: Marks can change each year in this section, depending on the investigations. However, as a general rule a student will have to show an ability to identify six variables, three of which are essential to the experiment and any other three variables. Students will also have to show here which variables need to be fixed. (10 marks)
• Equipment: A list of at least five pieces of equipment used in the experiment is required here. Remember safety equipment is not acceptable here, for example safety goggles or laboratory jackets. (5 marks)
• List of four tasks: A list of at least four tasks carried out in the experiment is documented here. Students should always mention that they will repeat the experiment and record results in a table and plot a graph. (5 marks)
3. Procedure
Again this section has three main parts:
• Safety precautions: Safety precautions that are followed during the course of the experiment are required here. Any two will gain maximum marks. Examples include “wear safety goggles” and “wear lab coat”. “Listen to my teacher” and “behave” are not valid safety precautions. (5 marks)
• Procedure: There will be space to draw labelled diagrams
of the experiment set up. All students should ensure they do this as marks can be gained from these diagrams. Students should also list at least five key steps explaining how they carried out the experiment. (10 marks) • Recording data/observations: All three investigations this year are quantitative so students will have lots of data to present. The best way to do this is in a table with clear headings. (5 marks)
4. Analysis and conclusion
• Calculations and analysis: Students can use varying methods to represent the data found: (They can be combined to attain maximum marks or marked individually).
• Graphs – Make sure axes are labelled and scaled and points clearly plotted.
• Statements
• Bar charts
• Calculations (10 marks)
• Conclusion: You must have presented information in the analysis section to gain marks here. When students are making conclusions they should show a good understanding of results and, to the best of their ability, link them to the aim of the experiment. Direct and simple language is best to use here. (10 marks)
5. Comments
Students are expected to give two comments. Anything from the practical applications of the experiment, understanding of unexpected results, how the experiment can be improved or extended and what they have learned will gain high marks.
(10 marks) TERMINAL EXAM PAPER
Breakdown of exam structure:
• Higher and ordinary levels – 2 hours (120 minutes).
• Students must answer all sections.
• Students must answer all questions in each section – there is no choice on the paper.
• Students should aim to spend 35 minutes on each section. This will give about 5 minutes at the beginning to write your exam number and read all exam questions. Students will also then have 10 minutes at the end to check back over answers.
• The paper is presented in a specialised booklet where there is space to answer each question. If extra paper is required there is space at the end of the booklet.
SECTIONS ON THE PAPER BIOLOGY
Biology is the science of all living things and can be categorised broadly into the study of animals and plants. This section of the syllabus deals with aspects of human biology and plant biology. The following is a general overview of the topics at Junior Cert level:
• Section 1A: Human Biology – Food, digestion and associated body systems.
• Section 1B: Human Biology – The skeletal/muscular system, the senses and human reproduction.
• Section 1C: Animals, plants and micro-organisms.
On the paper:
• Question 1 has parts (a) to (h) which are recall questions, however part (h) will require more detail. These questions tend to range over the entire course. Example:
Q: State the function of white blood cells. A: To fight infection/to produce antibodies/to destroy bacteria. Q: State the function of red blood cells. A: To transport oxygen.
• Question 2 will focus on one or two topics and will require more detailed knowledge. Example:
Q: The diagram is of the human eye. Mark on the diagram the locations of the ciliary muscle. A: See diagram.
Q: Explain how the ciliary muscle works to help eyesight. A: Changes shape of the lens. Q: Describe the function of the pupil. A: Allows light to enter the eye.
Q: The optic nerve, labelled on the diagram, carries information from the eye to the brain. Is the optic nerve an example of a sensory nerve or motor nerve? A: Sensory nerve.
• Question 3 will be similar to question 2 however, very often it will focus on experiments and investigations. Example:
Q: Without enzymes we would not be able to exist. Enzymes help to release energy from food, help to build up molecules that our bodies are composed of and break down structures and wastes that we no longer need. Name an enzyme. A: Amylase.
Q: Name the substrate that the enzyme you have named works on. A: Starch. Q: Name the product of the action of this enzyme. A: Maltose.
Q: What reagent might you use, in a laboratory, to test that the reaction has taken place? A: Any of the following: Iodine, fehlings solution or benedicts solution.
CHEMISTRY
Chemistry allows students to develop a better understanding of our material world and the processes by which materials can change and be changed. This part of the syllabus is split into three main sections:
• Section 2A: Classification of substances.
• Section 2B: Air, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water.
• Section 2C: Atomic structure, reactions and compounds. On the paper:
• Questions 4, 5 and 6 have the same structure as in the Biology section.
PHYSICS
This section is involved in most of the everyday applications of science and technology that we meet in our daily lives such as in work, medicine, entertainment and in the home. Physics is principally concerned with laws and relationships however it will give students interesting insight into how things work and contribute to their problem solving skills. For Junior Cert the students will study the following sections:
• Section 3A: Force and energy.
• Section 3B: Heat, light and sound.
• Section 3C: Magnetism, electricity and electronics.
On the paper:
• Questions 7, 8, and 9 again all follow the structure described as per the Biology section. Remember: Marks are normally in groups of three, therefore if there are 9 marks for a question make sure to give three points of information. If there are 12 marks for the question make sure to give four points of information.