1. Environmental Studies
All about this SEC Exam !

2. Six main topics – General lessons Geography, History & Social Studies
The world - our home
Management of resources
Human population
Human communities
Work and leisure
Managing a nation

3. Go to the internet to view the full revised syllabus
Click on Sillabi 2012
English version – Environmental Studies
Maltese version – Studji Ambjentali

4. Details The exam is divided into Paper I and Paper II.
Student has to choose between Paper IIA or IIB.
Exam papers are issued in both Maltese and English.
Candidates may answer any question in Maltese and/or English, however no change of language is permitted within the same sub section of the question.
15% of the global mark that is 30 marks is allotted to the investigation project that each student has to prepare.
The Investigation has to be about 1500 to 2000 words or five chapters of 300 words.

5. Main changes in Revised Syllabus
Paper 1
Section A (Total marks: 40) will include from 9 to 15 short answer questions that will reflect all of the six themes of the syllabus.
Section B (Total marks: 50) will include two questions based on sources. This could be an extract from a newspaper or information about a particular situation.
See Specimen Paper -
SEC Environmental Studies P-1 Specimen Paper 2011 [PDF]

6. Copies of Original photos
Procedure for Project
Select a tutor from teachers teaching Form V Geography, History and Social Studies depending on the main theme.
Tutor will go over the drafts of the various chapters and offer his/her advice so that the project presented will be of good standard.
Students have to collect their own data -
Direct Observation
Questionnaires
Surveys
Statistics
Newspaper articles
Copies of Original photos
Information collected has to be fully analysed

7. Examples of actual work done
Student 1 - Hardly any contact with tutor; No photos; Some papers printed badly; Referred to USA not to the local situation; Copy and paste; What can I do omitted!; No real personal comments = Marks 2
Student 2 – Referred to Map; Old photos & Recent ones; Relevant interviews; Own conclusions; Written in own words; Valid points mentioned but organisation of ideas could have been better = Marks 13
Student 3 – Map; Photos: Series showing landforms, Labelled, Visual effects of sea pollution, dated; Covered varied and interesting points; Well analysed; A very good study of the locality = Marks 15

8. More actual examples
Student 4 – Corrections suggested by Tutor ignored; Spelling of title incorrect; Dates not exact; Fragmented points; Deductions not correct; Too many sites chosen without any real investigation; Conclusion too short = Marks 5
Student 5 – Map; Photos of re- enactments; Very detailed information; Attempted to analyse; Conclusion good with practical suggestions = Marks 14
Student 6 - Time line; Maps; Photos related to information; Depended on own investigation and observations = Marks 14

9. Choose one Investigative Project from the following titles -
Topic 1: The geographical and geological context of a historical or archaeological site in Malta or Gozo.
Topic 2: Man’s impact on one of the valleys of the Maltese islands.
Topic 3: The main characteristics of the Maltese village core.
Topic 4: An example of civil architecture of the British period.
Topic 5: Investigating one primary activity in Malta – Does it still have a future?
Topic 6: How green are the new cars on the market and do young people consider environmental aspects when buying their first car?

10. Tips for a good investigation
Books and magazines used solely for reference material
Based on personal observation
Serious personal analysis
Surveys and analysis of results
Questions of interviews should not be obvious
Analysis of comments made by the people interviewed
Photos, graphs and diagrams included and fully evaluated
Include personal comments and experiences
Should refer to the natural, social or historical environment
Give practical original suggestions for improving the area under focus

11. Layout of Project Title of project, name of student and class
Home address, school address, and scholastic year
Why was the theme chosen?
What do you plan to investigate?
How do you plan to carry out this investigation?
Front cover
1st Page
Introduction

12. More about the layout The page reference for each chapter Contents
The page reference for photographs, maps, graphs, and photocopies of newspaper articles
The chapters, at least five, should reflect the aims mentioned in the introduction.
Graphs, surveys and questionnaires should be fully
explained and analysed
A caption should be included under each photograph, map or sketch.
Contents
List of illustrations
Chapters

13. The last pages of your project
A summary is given of all the aspects that the investigation has brought to light.
Suggestions for the future should be included
Above all mention what you as a young person can do in favour of the area under study
List of books, websites, pamphlets, magazines, newspaper that have been used for reference
In this section all the persons that have helped you can be officially thanked.
Conclusion
Bibliography
Acknowledgements

14. Please take note ……
Students caught copying an Investigation will be reported to the Sec Board
Do not sit for exam if not ready to study and prepare a good investigation – Otherwise it is just a waste of money
Students have to hand in two copies of the Investigative Project. The original can be collected back by June.

15. Timings Full information on website August 2011 Investigation
Preparing of draft project
Meeting for students sitting for Env. Studies SEC Exam and their parents
Reviewing of draft by tutor
Final adjustments
Printing of final layout
Binding of project
Handing in two copies of project to tutor
August 2011
Summer 11
October 11
Nov. 11
Dec. 11
January 12

16. Projects will not be accepted by tutors if …
If project is handed in after
the closing date given.
If projects given have an extremely poor presentation.

17. Please take note
Investigative Projects are to be handed in directly to Tutor not left on desk of staff room or elsewhere.
No responsibility will be taken by tutors of projects not handed to them in person.

18. Result 2012 30 marks out of 200 Your result depends on your input! ???
No project = high probability of getting a failure
Overall marks lost – 15% or
30 marks out of 200

19. Feedback or Help needed
Send to Ms DeBattista at

20. Environmental Studies is more than an exam…..
Last comment
Environmental Studies is more than an exam…..
it means a change in lifestyle in favour of the environment !
Thank you for your attention.
Ms R. DeBattista
Head of Department Geography
St. Margaret College Boys Sec. Verdala