Welcome to the science department!
All Shimna students study science in Key Stage 3 and GCSE. The subject is also a popular choice at A Level where students have the choice of study biology, chemistry and physics.
Students explore a range of science topics through a combination of experiments, theory and investigations, and relate their learning to their everyday experiences. The science department in Shimna offers students the opportunity to explore science in an interesting, exciting and enjoyable way.
Key Stage 3

In Shimna we follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum which seeks to empower students to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives. It is about helping students prepare for life and work:
- as individuals;
- as contributors to society;
- as contributors to the economy and environment.
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Key Stage 3 science aims to stimulate students’ curiosity and enthusiasm to develop a sense of wonder in science. Developing skills in scientific methods of enquiry can engage students to develop understanding of the processes of science as well as content of scientific knowledge. Using investigation and practical experiments to increase motivation, support collaborative working and connect learning about science to the real world, students will develop their Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. Adopting a more enquiry-based and problem centred approach will spur students’ critical and creative thinking. This will encourage them to ask more questions to develop and evaluate explanations of phenomena and events in the world around them. There is a greater emphasis on taking time to learn with understanding, to consolidate students’ knowledge and to enable students in making connections both within science and with other areas of learning. A greater focus on skills and capabilities aims to develop students as independent learners.
Science develops students as individuals by:
- helping students explore influences on their personal health and make choices for healthy living;
- equipping them to make personal decisions about moral and ethical issues, now and in the future.
Science develops student as contributors to society by:
- exploring the advantages and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments for industry, business, medicine and our overall quality of life;
- exploring how the media informs us about science and science-related issues.
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- Science develops students as contributors to the economy and environment by:
GCSE
All students study two GCSE science subjects, Core Science in Year 11 and Additional Science in Year 12. They also have the option to study a third science GCSE. Students follow a modular course in which they study topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with specialist teachers. They also have the opportunity to carry out extended experimental investigations in coursework assignments.
Welcome to the science department!
All Shimna students study science in Key Stage 3 and GCSE. The subject is also a popular choice at A Level where students have the choice of study biology, chemistry and physics.
Students explore a range of science topics through a combination of experiments, theory and investigations, and relate their learning to their everyday experiences. The science department in Shimna offers students the opportunity to explore science in an interesting, exciting and enjoyable way.
Key Stage 3

In Shimna we follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum which seeks to empower students to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives. It is about helping students prepare for life and work:
- as individuals;
- as contributors to society;
- as contributors to the economy and environment.
-
Key Stage 3 science aims to stimulate students’ curiosity and enthusiasm to develop a sense of wonder in science. Developing skills in scientific methods of enquiry can engage students to develop understanding of the processes of science as well as content of scientific knowledge. Using investigation and practical experiments to increase motivation, support collaborative working and connect learning about science to the real world, students will develop their Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. Adopting a more enquiry-based and problem centred approach will spur students’ critical and creative thinking. This will encourage them to ask more questions to develop and evaluate explanations of phenomena and events in the world around them. There is a greater emphasis on taking time to learn with understanding, to consolidate students’ knowledge and to enable students in making connections both within science and with other areas of learning. A greater focus on skills and capabilities aims to develop students as independent learners.
Science develops students as individuals by:
- helping students explore influences on their personal health and make choices for healthy living;
- equipping them to make personal decisions about moral and ethical issues, now and in the future.
Science develops student as contributors to society by:
- exploring the advantages and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments for industry, business, medicine and our overall quality of life;
- exploring how the media informs us about science and science-related issues.
-
- Science develops students as contributors to the economy and environment by:
GCSE
All students study two GCSE science subjects, Core Science in Year 11 and Additional Science in Year 12. They also have the option to study a third science GCSE. Students follow a modular course in which they study topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with specialist teachers. They also have the opportunity to carry out extended experimental investigations in coursework assignments.