Junior Science Loreto Balbriggan

News Snippets

Best wishes to Ciara Lattimore, Christine Byrne and Deirdre Harford in the ISTA Science Quiz Competition in Belvedere College on April 21st, 2010.

The girls emerged at the front of a very close and hard fought internal school quiz organised and adjudicated by the school Science Captain, Aine O'Toole.

Good luck and have fun.

Syllabi

Details of the course material covered during each year of the Junior Certificate science syllabus, as taught in Loreto Balbriggan, are available to the right of this page.

Class tests and end of year examinations, for all science classes, are based on these syllabi.

As the student revises, it may be helpful to have a printed copy of the syllabus open, and to tick each item as it is revised. There is a printer friendly pdf version of the syllabi on each page, that is suitable for this purpose.

On the syllabi webpages, links are made to some relevant websites that may aid the student to better understand the topic, but students should be aware that these may contain some content beyond that which is required for examination purposes. The syllabi determine that which is examinable.

Laboratory Rules

1. Do not enter the laboratory without permission.
2. Do not touch any equipment, chemicals or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.
3. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Make sure you know exactly what you are supposed to do. If in doubt ask the teacher.
4. Long hair must be tied back securely.
5. Keep aisles clear of all bags, coats, personal items and chairs at all times.
6. Always wear eye protection or gloves when instructed to do so.
7. Always check that the label on the bottle is exactly the same as you require. If in doubt ask the teacher.
8. Do not eat, drink or taste anything in the laboratory. Food must not be brought into the laboratory. Any substance accidentally taken into the mouth must be spat out immediately and the mouth washed out with plenty of water before reporting to the teacher.
9. Any cut, burn or other accident must be reported at once to the teacher.
10. Do not use chipped or broken glassware. Report breakages to the teacher who will dispose of such items in a special bin.
11. Make sure you know the position of all safety equipment in the laboratory, e.g. fire extinguishers, first-aid equipment etc.
12. Test tubes should never be overfilled. When heating a test tube ensure that the mouth of the test tube is pointed away from yourself and everyone else.
13. All equipment should be cleaned by students and put back in its correct place after use.
14. Always wash your hands after practical work.
15. Students should behave in a responsible manner at all times.

Printer friendly laboratory rules

Recommended Text

Title: Science Matters

Authors: Dorgan, Kennedy & Scott

Publisher: Folens

Coursework B - Student Investigations

Each student is required to undertake two specified investigations in their third year and to submit a pro forma report on these for assessment. These additional investigations, based on the topics and learning outcomes in the syllabus, will be set by the examining body and will vary from year to year. These investigations account for 25% of the students final Junior Certificate grade and will require substantial time investment, by the student, during the year. Students will be notified of the investigation titles well in advance of the laboratory time they will be allocated to conduct the investigations, and this laboratory time-slot cannot be altered.

DES deadlines for submission by the students of their report must be adhered to, and, in order to prevent missed deadlines, students are expected to exercise due diligence in the preparation, planning and conduct of their chosen investigations. Students who fail to do so will not be given additional time, and reports still incomplete come deadline, will be submitted as is.

Investigation Titles 2010

Biology
Qualitatively investigate two factors that affect the uptake of water by a plant
Chemistry
Compare by way of investigation the abilities of different indigestion remedies to neutralise excess stomach acid.
[A pre-prepared stock solution of 0.15 M HCl may be used as "stomach acid".]
Physics
Investigate two factors that affect the distance taken for a toy car to stop after rolling down a ramp.

Downloads

Preparation and planning - Student guidelines
These guidelines give some pointers to students about how they should approach the investigations.

Preparation and planning - Student worksheet
Use this for roughwork when researching/conducting the investigation - the layout is very similar to the pro-forma booklet to be completed by the student for submission to the examinations commission. One of these will need to be completed for each investigation.

Information for students