Integrated Science

You can find further information about Science options in this short screencast and presentation

• Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations of scientific thinking and the scientific method in both local and global contexts (e.g. in peace building). 

• Appreciate the role of science in solving challenges faced by society by becoming informed about local and global issues through a scientific lens

• Develop conceptual understandings in science using science specific terminology precisely and applying the scientific method accurately.

• Communicate effectively the connections between conceptual understandings, experimental methods, tools and techniques within scientific contexts.

• Develop an awareness of the ethical, environmental, and cultural/social impact of science, leading to evidence based conclusions.

• Appreciate how a scientific approach (world view) allows exploration of personal identity and can enhance wellbeing.

• Develop an interdisciplinary approach that allows connections to be made between different areas of Science & the UWCSEA learning programme.

The Integrated Science course will allow students to gain a foundational understanding of the three key strands of science - Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The focus will be on appreciating the interconnectedness between the disciplines and developing fundamental understanding of concepts and how they relate to the UWC Mission. Students will also have opportunities to develop practical and collaborative skills during group projects and laboratory work.

Integrated Sciences

C1 - How do we know what we know?
C2 - The material world
C3 - How far? How fast?

B1 - The living world
B2 - Go with the flow
B3 - Body Systems

P1 - Our home in the universe
P2 - Energy and the Earth
P3 - Mechanical systems

If students choose to complete this Integrated Science course in Grade 9 over 4 blocks then they will have the opportunity in Grade 10 to choose one, two or three of the applied science courses: Biology, Chemistry and Physics to study at a deeper level. These courses will build on the concepts studied in the Integrated Science course and explore what makes each specialism unique through real world contexts and applications. 

These courses will focus on building the knowledge, skills and understanding that are most relevant to that specialism, while at the same time appreciating the connections with other sciences and areas of the UWCSEA learning programme.

Students can choose to study the Integrated Science course as a 2 block option spread across Grades 9 and 10. This will still allow a choice of one of the individual Science courses in Grade 10. 

The science course options will focus on students developing:

• Collaboration within groups in classwork, project work and practical work

• Communication and presentation of scientific concepts and the scientific method

• Hands on practical skills and techniques in the laboratory

• Analytical skills of patterns and trends in data

• Critical thinking around application of scientific understanding

• Creativity in designing independent investigations and solving problems

There will be a variety of assessments, both formative and summative, that vary in their form and purpose. These will include assessment of practical skills, scientific communication skills, project work, conducting research and  investigations, and assessment of  knowledge and understanding through extended responses to conceptual questions.