Welcome to Science
The transition from Primary to Secondary school can be a daunting prospect for many. Here in the Science Department we want to make it a fun and exciting experience. We teach science in a real laboratory kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment. From microscopes to Bunsen burners, data loggers to a variety of testing kits and much more. Where else would you get to make slime, carry out investigations using different chemicals, plan group projects, compete in egg drop competitions and even dissect a rat!?
This is just a snapshot of some of the things we do within the department. We are an exciting, innovating team of professionals who are always ready for new challenges. We have excellent relationships with our pupils, many of whom go on to study a science in university. Captivating young minds with the delivery of science is our priority.
Science explains so many things. From how the body works to how medicine is made. From how lights work to the environment and space exploration. The list goes on.
Science has always been a major area in which there are many new jobs and new developments.
We are part of a STEM group and have been collaborating with Mr Tom Lavery who works with the Royal society of Engineering. Our fantastic pupils have a STEM team who are the undefeated champions in the Robotics competition for the past two years and we were the first school in Northern Ireland to acquire our own Robot, ‘Percy’.
Staff
Miss M Dowds – Head of Department
Mr A Hodge – Vice Principal
Mrs L Hodge – Biology / Year 10 Head of Year
Mrs A Thompson – Biology
Mrs S Sames – Chemistry / Year 11 Head of Year
Miss D Hanna – Biology
Dr J Williamson – Biology
Mr A Gault – Science, Science shack & STEM lead teacher
What do each of our Key stages look like?
Key Stage 3:
In Years 8 – 10 pupils study a range of topics from the three Science disciplines. The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been designed to allow pupils to experience a wide range of practical work and group activity.
| Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | |
| Safety and measurement | Gases, elements and compounds |
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| Electricity | Food and Digestion | Heat transfer | |
| Solutions | Pollution | Acids and alkalis | |
| Cells | Earth and Space | Micro-organisms
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| Forces and Energy | Reproduction | Light | |
| Environment | Materials | Chemical reactions | |
| Heart start | Sound | Investigating reactivity | |
| Investigations | Introduction to Horticulture | Electricity 2 |
GCSE
In Glengormley High School we offer four courses to our Key Stage 4 students:
- GCSE Double Award Science (CCEA)
The specification has seven units:
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The specification has four units:
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- Horticulture
Unit 22: Growing Food from Seeds
Unit 23: Growing Bulbs for Gifts
Unit 24: Hanging Baskets and Containers
The CCEA website contains specifications, past examination papers and exam time tables and can be accessed by clicking http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/
- OCN NI Science
These qualifications are for learners interested in applied science but who have not studied or achieved a GCSE in this area. They are intended to give learners the knowledge, understanding and skills that will enable them to progress to further learning or training in a science related area. They build upon the Northern Ireland Curriculum and meet the requirements of the Key Stage 4 Entitlement Framework.
These qualifications will allow learners to further develop the following skills:
- Cross-Curricular Skills:
communication
using maths
using ICT
- Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities:
self-management
working with others
problem solving
We currently offer the following A levels:
- A-level Biology (CCEA)
The specification has six units:
- Unit AS 1: Molecules and Cells
- Unit AS 2: Organisms and Biodiversity
- Unit AS 3: Practical Skills in AS Biology
- Unit A2 1: Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems
- Unit A2 2: Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends
- Unit A2 3: Practical Skills in Biology.
https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/Specifications/GCE/GCE%20Biology%20%282016%29/GCE%20Biology%20%282016%29-specification-Standard.pdf
- A-Level Life and Health Science (CCEA)
For a full GCE Single Award qualification students must complete six units: three at AS level and three at A2. For a full GCE Double Award qualification 12 units are required: six at AS level and six at A2.
The specification has 16 available units. For details on compulsory and optional units, please see the specification.
Useful sites
The CCEA website contains specifications, past examination papers and exam time tables and can be accessed by clicking http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/
Years 11 & 12, simply click on the link below to access the science podcasts and revise whilst you are on the move! http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/audio/
The links below will help you with your revision:
For Key Stage 3 (Years 8-10) http://bbc.co.uk/schools/revision/
For Key Stage 4 (Years 11 & 12) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
For AS & A2 Level (Years 13 & 14) http://www.s-cool.co.uk
Percy in action
Careers in Science
Biology jobs…………………..
Aerobiologist
Agricultural scientist
Archaeologist
Bioinformatician
Biology researcher
Biomechanics engineer
Biomedical engineer
Biomedical researcher
Biomedical scientist
Biophysicist
Biostatistician
Biotechnologist
Botanist
Cell biologist
Conservationist
Cryobiologist
Cytologist
Data analyst
Data scientist
Earth scientist
Ecologist
Ecotoxicologist
Embryologist
Endocrinologist
Entomologist
Forensic psychologist
Forensic scientist
Gene analyst/geneticist
Genomics researcher
Immunologist
Marine biologist
Microbiologist
Molecular biologist
Mycologist
Oceanographer
Pathologist
Pharmacologist
Pharmacist
Toxicologist
Veterinarian
Virologist
Zoologist
Chemistry Jobs
Analytical chemist
Biochemist
Chemical engineer
Chemical health and safety regulator
Cheminformatics
Cosmetic chemist
Crystallographer
Food technologist
Forensic scientist
Geochemist
Hazardous waste chemist
Immunologist
Laboratory Analyst
Manufacturing chemist
Materials engineer
Organic/Inorganic chemist
Pharmacologist
Pharmacist
Process chemist
Product developer
Researcher
Toxicologist
Quantum chemist
Water chemist
Water quality scientist
Physics
Physics is known as the ‘fundamental science’. It’s like learning about every science in one.
Aerospace engineer
Acoustician
Applied mathematician
Astronomer
Atomic physicist
Architect
Astrophysicist
Biophysicist
Chemical physicist
Civil engineer
Computational physicist
Cosmologist
Cryophysicist
Data analyst
Data scientist
Electrical engineer
Electromagnetic physicist
Fluid dynamics/mechanics physicist
Geophysicist
High energy physicist
High pressure physicist
Laser physicist
Mechanical physicist
Meteorologist
Molecular physicist
Nanotechnologist
Nuclear technician
Nuclear physicist
Nuclear scientist
Optical physicist
Particle physicist
Patent analyst
Plasma physicist
Quantum physicist
Researcher
Roboticist
Telecommunications technologist
Theoretical physicist
Thermodynamics physicist
X-ray analysis technician
Health
Health and science make a great pair. To become a doctor or a nurse, you’ll need an in-depth understanding of biology – but that’s not where the connections end. You can add in almost any other type of science to create a cool scientific career in health. Like computer science? Consider bioinformatics.
Medical science jobs
Bioinformatician
Biomedical engineer
Biomedical researcher
Biomedical scientist
Biophysicist
Biostatistician
Data analyst
Data scientist
Dietician
Doctor
Kinesiologist
Neurologist
Neuroscientist
Nurse
Occupational therapist
Osteopath
Pharmacist
Pharmacy technician
Pharmacologist
Physiologist
Physiotherapist
Psychiatrist
Speech pathologist
Sport scientist
Sport psychologist
Surgeon
Veterinarian
Unconventional career ideas
Are your future ambitions outside the mould of traditional careers? Here are some alternative options that fuse together science with other areas for a unique career.
Unconventional science jobs
Activist
Educator
Entrepreneur
Fireworks chemist
Policy advisor
Politician
Sales representative
Science communicator
Scientific illustrator
Space psychologist
Volcanologist