S1 Science:
Reporting Window 1

Level delivery in Science:

Science Units in S1 may cover content from across Second Level to Fourth Level (though predominantly Third Level).

Science Skills are assessed at econd Level and Third Level.

Units Covered Across the Year:

Environment

This unit explores biology themes such as:  classification, sampling and distribution of species, the complexity of interactions between species and their interdependence – thereby our dependence on ecosystems so the importance of careful land management; biodiversity and adaptations.

Matter

This unit explores chemistry themes such as:  states of matter and transition between these states; making solutions and separating mixtures; and rocks, crystals, and cycles.

Energy

This unit explores physics themes such as:  Identification of types of energy and their transformations; renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, issues surrounding global warming and energy in the home.

Cells, Reproduction and Health

This unit explores biology themes such as:  the structure of plant and animal cells; reproductive systems, puberty, pregnancy and birth and human health and its maintenance.

Everyday Chemistry

This unit explores chemistry themes such as:  the periodic table, elements, compounds; and physical vs chemical changes; rates of reaction and the pH scale.

Heat and Light

This unit explores physics themes such as:  Conduction, convection, and radiation; reflection and refraction of light; lenses, the light spectrum and colour; and the electromagnetic spectrum. 

Pupils coping with the majority of the Science work being set should be able to achieve at least a working grade of Third C in this subject.

 Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S1 Science:

Third A: A pupil achieving this will be making excellent progress across all their assessments (averaging 85% or more). They will be consistently demonstrating that they understand and can recall the content of the course and are able to apply that understanding to context based questions.  They will also have demonstrated a sound ability to handle data – calculations and graphs.

Third B: A pupil achieving this will be making good progress across all their assessments (averaging 66-84%). They will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall much of the content of the course and are able to apply that understanding to some context based questions.  They may also have demonstrated an ability to handle some data – calculations and graphs.

Third C: A pupil achieving this will be making reasonable progress across all their assessments (averaging 46-65%). They will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall some of the content of the course and may be able to apply some of that understanding to more straight-forward context based questions.  They may also have demonstrated an ability to handle some data – calculations and graphs.

Third D: A pupil achieving this will be making some progress across all their assessments (averaging 31-45%). They will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall some of the content of the course and may be challenged by applying this knowledge to context based questions.  They may also find challenge in handling data – calculations and graphs.

Second A to D: A pupil achieving this will be making limited progress across all their assessments (averaging less than 31%). They may be demonstrating that they understand and can recall small portions of the content of the course but will likely find applying this content to context questions a great challenge.  They will also, likely find challenge in handling data – calculations and graphs.