Junior Fact Sheet
Certificate
Science
We come across science in everyday
things in the world around us, both living
and non-living. Studying Science in
school can help you to understand the
importance of science in our lives and in
the environment.
What will I learn in Science? How will I learn Science in
The Science course covers the three sciences: school?
Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Some of the things you may do with
Biology is the science of living things.You will your teacher and classmates are:
learn about: • work as part of a group
• plants and animals including humans • go on field trips
• the environment and how to care for it. • use computer-based resources
Chemistry deals with the composition of substances • carry out experiments and
and their properties.You will learn about: investigations
• the materials that make up the world around us • try your best at homework
• how materials can change and be changed. and assignments.
Physics is the science of matter and energy and how
they interact.You will learn about:
• forces and energy
• how things work. How will I know how I am
getting on?
As you progress in Science you will
learn to work like a scientist.You will
How can I learn more about Science
learn how to plan and carry out
outside of school? experiments and investigations and
Some of the things you may do are: make sense of the results. As you do
• watch science programmes on television your coursework you will be able to
• keep up to date with the science stories in see how you are getting on by
the news looking back at earlier experiments
• use the Internet, which is a huge source of science and investigations.Your teacher will
explanations and experiments. Ask your teacher also tell you how your skills have
for a list of websites. improved.
What is the Science Junior Certificate Is learning Science anything
exam like? like what I did in primary
In Junior Certificate Science you will be examined in school?
two ways: In primary school you learned about
• coursework - during the three years of the Junior living things, energy and forces,
Certificate you report on the investigations that you materials, and about care for the
carry out in class.These reports count for 35% of environment.You also explored the
your Junior Certificate marks world around you and
• written examination - you will answer questions on learned to work like a
the science topics that you have studied and on the scientist. In Junior
skills (e.g. science investigation skills) that you have Certificate Science you
developed. will use and develop
You can take the exam at Higher or at Ordinary level. these science skills .
When the time comes to decide, your teacher will
help you choose the level that suits you best.
Will Science have anything to do with other subjects I will be studying?
Science links with many of the other subjects you will be studying.You will use some of the things
you learn in Mathematics to analyse and interpret the results of your investigations. In Geography
you will study about the environment and soil. In Home Economics you will study
about food and the human body.
How will Science be useful to me? Will Science be very different after
Many of the skills you learn while studying Junior Certificate?
science such as problem solving and After the Junior Certificate, Science splits into
investigation skills are very useful outside of four subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and
school and will be of use to you in whatever
Agricultural Science. Depending on your school,
job you choose to do.
you can choose to do different combinations of
In third level there are many different types
these. If you would like to choose any of these
of science courses on offer and many
subjects in Leaving Certificate, it is important
different careers open to science students.
that you take Science as a subject for Junior
These include becoming a: pharmacist,
Certificate.
radiographer, doctor, dentist,
technician, psychologist,
astronomer, teacher, vet and
researcher. For more information about the
Science course
www.curriculumonline.ie
For more information about the Junior
Certificate exam
www.examinations.ie
For more information about science
This fact sheet and other fact sheets are available to www.scoilnet.ie
download from www.ncca.ie
www.science.ie
www.howstuffworks.com
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