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SCIENCE NPA

S3 COURSE

The Science NPA course is a practical course designed to allow pupils to develop their science skills and knowledge regardless of their stage, ability or specific subject interest.  The nature of the course allows teachers to;  

  • Adapt course content to suit pupil interest, ability and skills 

  • Assess and award individual science units achieved at pupils' own pace 

  • Recognise and award core skills in addition to science units 

Pupils can take Science NPA in every year S3-S6 and continue to make progress by attaining new qualifications based on their unique skills, interests and abilities. 

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?

This course is suited to you if you like some science topics but prefer:

 

  • Practical work & experiments 

  • Less written work 

  • Working at a slower pace 

  • Choosing which area(s) of science you want to study 

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Science NPA is the best course choice for you if you want to study science at college or hope to work in a science related job in future. 

Course content includes general science within;  

  • Biology (Human Body & Health Technology) 

  • Chemistry (Chemical reactions & Periodic Table) 

  • Physics (Radioactivity & Applications of Physics) 

  • Environmental Science (Energy, Ecology & Human Impact) 

  • Core skills (Numeracy, ICT, Communication, Working with Others & Problem Solving) 

 

(Alternative topics and units of study are available based on pupil interest, knowledge and skills.) 

 

All topics and units are assessed internally, in class by a combination of; 

  • Practical work, experiments and investigations 

  • Open and closed book questions or tests 

  • Class discussion, active learning tasks and research 

 

Levels of assessment for Science units and individual Core Skills are available from Level 1 – Level 6 where appropriate. 

KEY FACTS

Everything you need to know before selecting this course

Homework

No homework will be given in this course. 

How you will be assessed

Assessment will be carried out informally through; 

  • Practical assessments including ability to correctly select and use equipment & chemicals 

  • Pupil feedback – recording of pupil involvement, discussion, etc through video or recorded voice 

  • Written or verbal answers to selected questions 

progress

Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course

EMPLOYMENT

Many areas of employment are open to pupils with science skills; 

  • General science, e.g. Lab technician, computing & ICT, teaching 

  • Healthcare & Working with people, e.g. childcare, nursing & social care 

  • Farming, agriculture & working with animals 

  • Modern apprenticeships including Construction & Engineering 

  • Sport & Leisure industry 

  • Food, Drinks & Hospitality Industry 

S4 and beyond

The Science NPA course would be a course choice open to all pupils in all years S4-S6. Pupils with literacy and/or numeracy at level 3 or below, would be best suited to continue their science studies through the Science NPA in S4-S6. 

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