1. The Case study Science Coursework

2. What’s it worth? 33% ie- twice the amount of the module exam you have just sat. If you do badly on this you will almost certainly fail this GCSE- no joke!

3. What’s it on? You have to write a report on some aspect of science You have to consider arguments for and against something You have to consider how reliable you think your sources are. You will make a conclusion that considers both sides.

4. How long should it be? 10 pages of typed A4 will be average What’s it on ? Whatever you want- so long as you can evaluate reliability and can find both sides to the argument.

5. Good or bad Is smoking bad for you? Should GM crops be allowed? Is nuclear power the answer? Is fat bad? Should therapeutic cloning be allowed? Are mobile phones safe? Is animal testing necessary?

6. What else needs to be in it? 1. A contents page and page numbers 2. “Five” useful graphs/charts/diagrams or flow charts 3. A list of references- including date and complete website address for internet sites 4. At least 1 book and 1 magazine/newspaper article

7. B2468 Only superficial mentions of science explanations, often not correctly applied to the case Provides a basic outline of the main scientific ideas which are relevant to the case. Provides a detailed review of the scientific knowledge needed to understand the issues studied. Considers how different views described in the study can be supported by detailed scientific explanations. Sources are uncritically quoted without distinguishing between scientific evidence and unsupported claims. Science content and data in sources is recognised. Claims and opinions are linked to the scientific evidence they are based on. The quality of scientific evidence in sources is evaluated in relation to the reliability of any claims made

8. C2468 Information is unselectively reported without taking any clear view about any course of action. Claims for a particular idea, development or course of action are reported without critical comment. Claims and arguments for and against are reported, but with little attempt to compare or evaluate them. Details of opposing views are evaluated and critically compared. A conclusion is stated without reference to supporting evidence. A conclusion is based on evidence for one view only. Some limits or objections to the conclusion are acknowledged. Alternative conclusions are considered, showing awareness that different interpretations of evidence may be possible

9. What/when/where By Friday 1st Feb you need to have decided on your title The week before half term you will have lesson time to write it You will then need to complete it during half term You can have some lesson time the week after half term to make finishing touches

10. DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION FRIDAY 22 ND FEBRUARY

11. The parents evening is on the previous Tuesday We will then mark it in the following week You will then have two more weeks when we will allow you to make improvements in your own time (on a computer presumably) The final final final deadline is

12. THURSDAY 13 th MARCH

13. It is not easy! I wrote one for the display board and I found it challenging to meet all of the criteria- have a look at it. Failure to take this seriously will cause you serious trouble later. You will have to fill in a time sheet as you do it. It will take at least 30 hours

14. I need help! Science help sessions every lunchtime in room 63 Coursework club after school on a Tuesday Any science teacher will help if you ask them nicely

15. To do by next week Choose a title Begin to gather info on your topic  (make a note of your sources) Get a memory stick so that you can have your report both at home and in lessons and can show us at lunchtime if necessary!