AQA’s GCE Science Specifications Presentation to Lancashire Heads of Science Conference 

AQA Senior Teacher Support Officer Simon Miles

©AQA. All rights reserved. 3 AS and A Level Subject Criteria  Specifications must build on the skills, knowledge & understanding set out in the GCSE criteria for science.  Approximately 60% of each subject’s AS/A2 specification is ‘common’, i.e. mandatory - taken directly from the GCE subject criteria (more areas have been prescribed as either AS or A2 level than was previously the case).  The remainder allows AQA to introduce breadth and/or depth – material of our own choice.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 4 Building on GCSE  AQA assumes that candidates embarking on AS science courses will have studied at least the equivalent of GCSE “Core + Additional” science.  Students who have followed “Core + Additional Applied” or Applied Science (double award) are best suited to progress to GCE Applied Science – this specification is unaffected by the current revision schedule.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 5 What is possible? Science (core) Double applied science Additional science Additional applied science Biology Chemistry Physics Science AS / A2 e.g. GCE Applied Science

©AQA. All rights reserved. 6 “How Science Works”  AS and A Level specifications must include a range of contemporary and other contexts.  The skills, knowledge and understanding of How Science Works must be integrated into the content.  There are 12 requirements, ranging from… “Use theories, models and ideas to develop and modify scientific explanations”… to… “Appreciate the ways in which society uses science to inform decision making”.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 7 How Science Works Requirements  Use theories, models and ideas to develop and modify scientific explanations.  Use knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions, define scientific problems, present scientific arguments and scientific ideas.  Use appropriate methodology, including ICT, to answer scientific questions and solve scientific problems.  Carry out experimental and investigative activities, including appropriate risk management, in a range of contexts.  Analyse and interpret data to provide evidence, recognising correlations and causal relationships.  Appreciate the tentative nature of scientific knowledge.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 8 How Science Works Requirements  Evaluate methodology, evidence and data, and resolve conflicting evidence.  Communicate information and ideas in appropriate ways using appropriate terminology.  Consider applications and implications of science and appreciate their associated benefits and risks.  Consider ethical issues in the treatment of humans, other organisms and the environment.  Appreciate the role of the scientific community in validating new knowledge and ensuring integrity.  Appreciate the ways in which society uses science to inform decision making.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 9 Assessment Objectives  Same for AS and A2: AO1 (Knowledge & understanding); AO2 (Application of knowledge & understanding); AO3 (How Science Works)  Each assessment unit must address one or more aspects of each of the AOs.  ‘AO4’ has been removed – there is no longer a prescribed weighting for synoptic assessment.  Specifications must require, in all assessment units, that candidates answer questions using extended prose.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 10 AQA’s Suite of GCE Specifications  Biology  Human Biology  Chemistry  Physics A (traditional approach)  Physics B: Physics in Context  Electronics  Science in Society (formerly SPU) (now full A level)  Psychology A  Psychology B  Environmental Studies

©AQA. All rights reserved. 11 Scheme of Assessment Number of assessment units  Psychology and Environmental Studies specifications will comprise four externally assessed units; Science in Society will comprise four units too, 1 of which (AS) will be internally assessed  All of the other GCE science subjects will still contain six assessment units, three at AS and three at A2.  In the 6-unit subjects, one of the AS units and one of the A2 units must be internally assessed.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 12 Externally Assessed Units  Two AS examinations (total examination time may not exceed 3 hours)  Two A2 examinations (total time may not exceed 4 hours)

©AQA. All rights reserved. 13 Scheme of Assessment Internal Assessment  Weighting of each internally assessed unit is 20% for each of AS and A2.  Each internally assessed unit must include the assessment of practical skills.  For B, C, P specifications AQA has developed an assessment model similar to that developed for the new AQA GCSE science specifications – “PSA/ISA”.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 14 Practical Skills Assessment (“PSA”)  A candidate’s ability to carry out practical activities skilfully and safely will be assessed throughout the course.  AQA will stipulate certain techniques/skills – centres must provide opportunities for candidates to gain experience of these.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 15 Investigative Skills Assignment (“ISA”)  Centres will be provided with a task sheet outlining a practical investigation.  Candidates will generate and analyse data in a practical session under controlled conditions.  Candidates will then undertake a written ISA examination, based on their own and related investigations/data.  Teachers will mark this work using AQA marking guidelines.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 16 Synoptic Assessment  There is a formal requirement to assess synoptically in all A2 units.  Synoptic assessment requires candidates to make and use connections within and between different areas of the subject at AS and A2.  A levels must be seen as coherent courses which place high demands on students.

©AQA. All rights reserved. 17 ‘Stretch and Challenge’ All A2 examinations will  use a wider variety of question stems  use a wider range of question types to assess different skills  ensure connectivity between sections of questions  require extended writing  lead to the award of an A* grade (last award of AEA in 2009)

©AQA. All rights reserved. 18 Timetable for Introduction  September 2007: specifications arrive in centres  September 2008: start teaching new AS / A level specifications  January 2009: first new spec AS units (selected units)  June 2009: all new spec AS units  August 2009: first award of new AS levels  January 2010: first new spec A2 units (selected units)  June 2010: all new spec A2 units  August 2010: first award of new A levels

©AQA. All rights reserved. 19 Teacher Support Meetings – Phase I  Free of charge ‘launch’ meetings for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Physics and Psychology specifications started in summer term; continue in autumn term  Centres should have received information about remaining ‘launch’ programme  Meetings for Electronics, Science in Society will follow in autumn term

©AQA. All rights reserved. 20 Teacher Support Meetings – Phase II  Free of charge, full-day follow-up meetings will be offered for all specifications in 2008  Your chance to explore the revised courses, support and assessment materials in depth  Help and advice for teachers about teaching and assessment  Peruse AQA-endorsed teaching and learning resources from Nelson Thornes

©AQA. All rights reserved. 21 Support from Nelson Thornes  Student text books  Students’ and teachers’ resources delivered on-line (e.g. animations, revision material, exam questions/answers, quizzes, learning outcomes, PowerPoint presentations, homework sheets)

©AQA. All rights reserved. 22 Contacting AQA Biology / Human Biology: biology- Electronics: Science in Society:science- Psychology: Environmental Studies:environ-

©AQA. All rights reserved. 23 Teacher Support Contacts Please address all ‘launch’ enquiries to: Mark your enquiries ‘FAO’ as follows  Simon Miles for Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics A and B, Electronics, Science in Society  Liz Hey for Psychology  Marilyn Lindsey for Environmental Studies