Science

Dr. S Dunn- Head of Department
Mr R. White
Mr S. Haughey
Ms. N. Doherty
Mr S. Pollock
Miss S. McBearty
Mrs A. Lynch
Miss E. Loughrey
Mrs K. Kearns

Mr D. Wilders- Technician

Aims of Department

The Science Department supports and strongly contributes to the School Aims. In particular, the Department promotes:

• 1) To stimulate and maintain an interest in Science.
• 2) To encourage the application of knowledge of Science.
• 3) To develop safe practical skills in Science.
• 4) To promote environmental awareness.
• 5) To make personal decisions about moral and ethical issues arising in Science.

Timetable Allocation

 Key Stage 3 Curriculum

 Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Year 11

Exam Board: CCEA

Overview

Pupils in Years 11 and 12 will follow CCEA Single, Double or Triple Award Science.

Single Award Science

 GCSE Biology

 GCSE Chemistry

 GCSE Physics

Year 12

Exam Board: CCEA

Single Award Science

 Double Award Science

 GCSE Biology

 GCSE Chemistry

 GCSE Physics

 Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Year 13

Exam Board: CCEA

Overview

AS CCEA Specifications are followed by students in the three separate sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

AS Chemistry

 AS Physics

AS Biology 

Year 14

Exam Board: CCEA

Overview

A2 CCEA Specifications are followed by students in the three separate sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

A2 Chemistry

 A2 Physics

 A2 Biology

 Extra-Curricular Activities

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and encompasses a vast array of subjects that fall into each of those terms. Occupations in STEM-related careers are some of the fastest growing and best paid of the 21st century and they often have the greatest potential for job growth. Our pupils are extremely curious and impressionable, so instilling an interest at an early age could spark a lasting desire to pursue a career in any of these fields. At Strabane Academy we offer a range of STEM activities from Year 8-14.

Key Stage 3 Activities:

• Outreach workshops with the Loughs Agency: pupils gain an insight into life cycles of marine animals and experience the work carried out by the loughs agency.
• Sentinus Robotics Programming: pupils learn to write their own programmes and download these to their robot to enable it to carry out tasks.
• Big Bang Event in school: a one-day event were our Key Stage 3 pupils hold internal science fairs designed for our pupils to show their Science and Technology projects by demonstrating their work on displays and practically. This initiative is supported by Sentinus with up to three shows, on that day, from an Imperial College, London, presenter.
• Seagate Real World Science Conference: this conference offers our KS3 pupils a series of interactive workshops focused on a range of Science and Technology topics from CSI fingerprinting, building a rocket, programming using IPads and many more.
• Sentinus STEM Design Challenge: this programme aims to target our KS3 pupils studying Technology, IT, Science, Art or Geography who will work in teams to create an innovative design on a chosen topic of their own or one provided for them from a list. Our pupils normally work in teams of 3 or 4. When pupils complete their design, they will normally produce a prototype of their ideas and designs. The programme finishes with a Celebration Day which normally takes place in March of the school year.

STEM Activities Key Stage 4 & 5:

• Year 12 Chemistry at Work Exhibition at Queen’s: this RSC sponsored event is aimed at GCSE Chemistry pupils and comprises a series of short, interactive talks from local companies who use chemistry in their business activities. The main aim of ‘Chemistry at Work’ is to show the many and varied ways in which the chemistry studied by children at school is used in the everyday world. The Exhibition will provide pupils with the chance to see chemical based companies and institutions presenting easily understood demonstrations of their use of chemistry at work. Pupils are encouraged to participate in the demonstrations which are lively and interactive. It is hoped that this experience will stimulate an interest in chemistry, particularly in industry, and will show some aspects of the importance of chemistry in our society.
• Year 13 Biology Genetic Engineering/Careers trip to W5: ‘Blood, Glorious Blood’ event at W5 Belfast. A level Biologists attended a lecture presented by Dr. Declan McKenna, Lecturer in Haematology at Ulster University. The lecture focused on importance of blood in an entertaining and informative manner, using topical examples and popular references to explain the subject. In addition, the lecture also complemented the current A-level Biology syllabus by covering elements such as immunology, genetics, DNA technology and cell biology.
• Year 13 Sentinus Engineering Scheme (Gold CREST Award): as part of the Sentinus R & D Scheme, a team of 5 students from Strabane Academy were paired with Dupont Ltd., Co. Londonderry to solve an engineering problem. This year the team are working on the prevention of overshooting treadlines in the Kevlar® production line. The Sentinus R & D Scheme gives the students an opportunity to work in a real engineering environment and develop their knowledge of careers in engineering.

Department Successes

Top A-Level Chemistry pupil (Peter Reid) in Northern Ireland

Careers Links

Biology: An A-Level in Biology can lead you directly into the world of work or you could go on to undertake further study and have a successful career in a range of industries including: Medicine (and related disciplines), Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Pharmacology, Physiology, Biomedical Science and related industries; Forensic Science, Education, Research, Accountancy, IT, Agriculture, and Management. AS Biology is compulsory for Medicine.Chemistry: An A-Level in Chemistry can lead you directly into the world of work or you could go on to undertake further study and have a successful career in a range of industries including: Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Research and Education. It is also relevant to those areas of commerce and branches of the public service where problem-solving and practical skills are valued. A-Level Chemistry is compulsory for Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Chemical Engineering and Dietetics.

Physics: An A-Level in Physics provides you with a sound basis for the further study of Physics and related subjects at University, such as Applied Mathematics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Engineering (including its Aeronautical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical branches), Geophysics and Materials Science. If you go directly into employment, A-Level Physics provides a basis for work in the fields of Science, Engineering, Medicine, Communications, Computers and Information Technology. It is also relevant to those areas of commerce and branches of the public service where problem-solving and practical skills are valued.