A2 Science in Society

The A2 course builds on and extends the skills and the ideas about how science works developed at AS, but in new contexts. These contexts have been chosen because of their topical relevance to students themselves and to society at large. All the six topics represent ‘science in the making’. Some new science explanations are introduced to support understanding of these issues, at the level required by an informed member of the public. The emphasis, as at AS level, is on how science works.

A complete set of activities, schemes of work and other information are available on this site and these, together with the textbook, provide enough support for science teachers to deliver the course.

Students are introduced to problem based learning through one activity in each of the six topics. This develops skills that are valuable in Higher Education and for engaging with science issues in their lives.

More detailed case studies of new research findings are another feature of the A2 course which keep it up to date and help students to apply their understanding of how science works. Skills required are developed throughout the course in preparation for Unit 4.

Last updated: 3 November 2009