Science
“The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions”. Claude Lévi-Strauss, Le Cru et le cuit, 1964
Through Science students have the opportunity to investigate, understand and explain processes in the natural and physical world and the wider universe. From Year 7 students are taught in science laboratories with specialist science teachers. They develop scientific knowledge and learn to use scientific evidence to think logically and creatively and to inquire into the world around them. In Years 12 and 13 they are able to specialise in the scientific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Opportunities available through Science classes
Years 7 and 8:
CASE: Cognitive Acceleration Through Science Education
Students in Years 7 and 8 are following the CASE programme, as an integral part of and extension to their regular curriculum work in Science. This programme, developed by Professor Philip Adey of Kings College (University of London), is based on practical activities which are guided by three central principles of cognitive conflict, social construction and meta-cognition.
Cognitive conflict: “CASE activities are designed to provide … challenge in scientific contexts on a slope of increasing difficulty such that at some point students of different abilities all encounter cognitive conflict.”1
Social construction: “CASE pedagogy [theory and method of teaching] emphasises the importance of collaborative learning in the class with groups of students interacting with one another, positive argument and critical questioning encouraged and every student’s contribution valued.” 2
Meta-cognition: “CASE teachers encourage their students to explain what they are thinking, what they find difficult, what they have learnt, what mistakes they have made and how they have corrected them.” 3
International research has shown that implementation of the CASE programme has led to improved cognitive development across subject areas.
Years 10-11:
International Brain Bee Challenge
The Brain Bee Quiz is a challenging and stimulating optional extension to the Science course which is designed to capture the imagination of secondary students and motivate them to learn about neuroscience. It introduces concepts relating to the human brain and nervous system, and includes the study of anatomy, neurochemistry, emotions, sleep and Alzheimer’s and stroke.
Participants sit multi-choice web-based questions from school early in Year 11. Those who qualify, progress to the North Island championship at Auckland University.
In 2010 Year 12 Marsden student, Kate Burgess (pictured far left) was runner-up in the 12th International Brain Bee Competition held in San Diego in August.
In a keenly-contested finale Kate, 16, scored 93%, just one mark behind the winner from India, Ritika Chokhani and one mark ahead of the United States champion, Yvette Leung. The contest, which involves about 75 local competitions worldwide, tests high school students’ knowledge of the human brain.
Kate, who attends Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, Wellington, was up against the national champions of the United States, Italy, Australia, Canada, Grenada, South Korea and India. Read more ...
Marsden Science and the Environment
An ongoing environmental education programme is embedded in our Science courses. As part of this, students from across the year groups have been responsible for setting up and maintaining several environmental initiatives.
The Science garden now includes a worm farm and a compost bin (primarily for recycling from the Food Technology classes), a rain water collection tank and an organic vegetable and herb garden, planted with companion plants. Crops have been harvested for use in the Food Technology classes.
Four weta hotels have also been nailed to trees in the garden to provide eco-friendly living spaces to help preserve this interesting native species.
All Year 7 students participate in the Greater Wellington Regional Council Take Action for Water programme which looks at the human impact on freshwater ecosystems. Students are involved in gathering and analysing data from streams, analysing and comparing stream environments and also in planting to enhance ecosystems.
Paper recycling and battery recycling are ongoing projects.
A highlight of the year was the visit of internationally acclaimed scientist and conservationist Tim Flannery who spoke to students at a special school assembly.
We are continually looking to expand our environmental work and look forward to further developments initiated by our student Environment Council.
References
- Adey, Professor Philip. ‘Thinking in Science – Thinking in General?’. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science learning and Teaching Volume 7, Issue 2, Foreword page 3
- Ibid., page 4
- Ibid., page 4