Science

Developing classrooms that inspire students is what we are striving for within the Science Department. Our classes have examples of work that students can aspire to along with intervention tools to support progression.

Running our two prep-rooms is a qualified full-time technician who has strengths surrounding all three sciences, which is an asset to the department.

In addition to our well-equipped labs and classrooms, being a STEM focus school, each classroom is equipped with a smart board and speakers.  Additional access to five computer labs or a class set of iPad allows for learning science through a different medium or assessing learning through a unique project.

Students should study Biology in ways that help them to develop curiosity about the natural world, that give them an insight into how science works and that will enable them to appreciate its relevance to their everyday lives. It should encourage students to be inspired, motivated and challenged by both the subject and its achievements.

• The key ideas specific to the Biology content include:
• Life processes depend on molecules whose structure is related to their function
• Living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways.
• Life on Earth is dependent on photosynthesis, and the chemicals in ecosystems are continually cycling through the natural world
• The characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and its interaction with the environment and how evolution occurs by process of natural selection and accounts both for biodiversity and how organisms are all related to varying degrees.

In addition to the links found on the department page, the following links can be used to support revision and learning:

Separate Science BBC Bitesize: Biology

Combined Science BBC Bitesize

GCSE Biology Youtube Playlist:

Studying GCSE Chemistry provides the foundation for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world's future prosperity. All students should gain an appreciation of how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas that relate to the sciences and that are both inter-linked and of universal application. 

The key ideas specific to the Chemistry content include:

● That matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms, and there are about 100 different naturally occurring types of atoms called elements

● elements show relationships in their chemical and physical properties

● these periodic properties can be explained in terms of the atomic structure of the elements

● the shapes of molecules and the way giant structures are arranged are of great importance regarding the way they behave

● there are barriers to the reaction, so reactions occur at different rates

● chemical reactions take place in only three different ways

In addition to the links found on the department page, the following links can be used to support revision and learning:

Separate Science BBC Bitesize: Chemistry

Combined Science BBC Bitesize

GCSE Biology Youtube Playlist

Studying GCSE Physics provides the foundation for understanding the material world. All students should learn essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They should gain an appreciation of how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas that relate to the sciences and that are both inter-linked and of universal application.

These key ideas include:

● the use of models, as in the particle model of matter or the wave models of light and sound

● the concept of cause and effect in explaining such links as those between force and acceleration, or between changes in atomic nuclei and radioactive emissions

● that differences, for example between pressures or temperatures or electrical potentials, are the drivers of change

● that proportionality, for example between weight and mass of an object or between force and extension in a spring, is an important aspect of many models in science

● that physical laws and models are expressed in mathematical form.

In addition to the links found on the department page, the following links can be used to support revision and learning:

Separate Science BBC Bitesize: Physics

Combined Science BBC Bitesize

GCSE Physics Youtube Playlist

Events and trips

• Year 9 students have attended The Super Physics Tournament run by the Institute of Physics
• Year 10 students have been Nominated for Young Physicist of the Year through the Open University
• A-Level Students have had Industry trips to TATA Steel & presentation day at Loughborough University.

Students who choose to pursue a Science A-Level at Corby Technical School can have their pick of four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or vocational Applied Science. The chosen exam board for our A-Levels is OCR where Biology and Physics follow the ‘A’ specification and Chemistry follows the ‘B’ specification.

• OCR Biology A allows students to develop relevant practical skills alongside essential knowledge and understanding of a range of biological concepts and scientific methods.
• OCR’s A Level Chemistry A qualification engages students by presenting chemical ideas and practical skills in a variety of contexts, relating modern-day applications of chemistry and current research to the fundamental concepts which are needed to continue developing the study of chemistry
• OCR’s A Level in Physics A, enables students to build on their knowledge of the laws of physics, applying their understanding to solve problems on topics ranging from subatomic particles to the entire universe. Throughout all module’s students will have the opportunity to develop relevant and transferable practical skills.

If you love science remember that not all career choices require a science degree.  There are a large number of careers which are achievable through all post-secondary education pathways including apprenticeships, Level 3 qualifications (Vocational or A-Level), HND or University.  The pathway needs to be right for you, but a good science qualification is a must.  Some examples of science careers are:

Electrician

Electricians are the people who bring electricity to our homes, schools, businesses, public spaces, and streets – lighting up our world, keeping the indoor temperature comfortable, and powering TVs, computers, and all sorts of machines that make life better.  Electricians install and maintain the wiring and equipment that carries electricity, and they also fix electrical devices.

Specific course requirements vary from college to college, but generally, they need 4 GCSEs at a grade 3 (Science recommended) or above and GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above.

Pilot

Pilots fly aeroplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft to accomplish a variety of tasks. While the primary job of most pilots is to fly people and cargo from place to place, 20 per cent of all pilots have more specialised roles, like dropping fire retardant, seeds, or pesticides from the air, or helping law enforcement rescue and transport accident victims, and capture criminals. Pilots enjoy working and helping people in the "third dimension."

Specific requirements will vary depending on where you decide to study.  To be successful in this career someone needs to either take a course to get an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence or a Degree in Aviation.  You will require GCSEs at grade 4 or above and A-Levels in subjects like maths, science, English and a second language.

Forensic Science

Guilty or not guilty? The fate of the accused in court lies with the evidence gathered at the crime scene. The job of the forensic science technician is to collect evidence and use scientific principles and techniques to make sense of it. It can be a graphic and challenging job, but very rewarding. If you like the idea of using science to help deliver justice, then you should investigate this career.

To start as a forensics lab support assistant, you'll need A-levels in Chemistry or Biology, BTEC or an HND in Science.  You could also gain a degree in Forensics where 3 A-Levels are required with one of them being in Chemistry.