Science in Secondary School
Your child faces a huge leap in the syllabus when they join secondary school after leaving their primary school. From having to take 4 main subjects, they are now faced with 10 examinable subjects. Grappling with the increased amount of subjects can be very tough. Furthermore, the Science syllabus becomes more comprehensive and detailed as a student progresses from Sec 1 to 4. Students learn Biology, Chemistry and Physics up till Secondary 2 and can choose which ones they would like to specialise in in upper secondary levels. The possible combinations are Bio/Chem/Physics, Bio/Chem and Chem/Physics. There is also the option of taking pure Sciences if the student feels they can manage it.
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With the many elaborate concepts that are explored in each Science subject, it can be too much for students to remember all of it. After all, most of us here were also once Secondary 1 students that were fresh out of primary school. Though many years have passed, I still remember being overwhelmed and feeling anxious having to deal with so many subjects. On top of that, the thought of having to sit for examinations for each Science subject can be a nightmare. However if done right, your child can successfully sit for their Science examinations with ease. In this post, I will cover tips that will make for effective remembering in Science concepts.
Evolving Syllabus of Science
In recent times, there has been a renewed interest among science educators for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STREAM) education. There is certainly value in introducing the STREAM way of thinking and problem solving in Singapore schools. Singapore’s developing twenty-first century skills such as critical and creative thinking, communication, problem solving etc, which are very compatible with the principles of STREAM.
After all, real-life authentic problems do not purely exist just as a biological problem or a chemical problem. Real-life problem identification and solutions require knowledge and skills from the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As such, to make learning more authentic to students in schools, STREAM principles and problems are being used. Overall, students of current times are moving towards a more holistic, STREAM based education.
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For primary and lower secondary levels, the MOE has begun adopting a redesigned scientific curriculum which emphasises on scientific inquiry, the integration of science knowledge and the growth of scientific literacy being some of the main components of this curriculum.
In specific, primary school students learn about topics such as diversity, systems, cycles, interactions and energy. The syllabus emphasises the development of scientific process skills, including observation, data collection and analysis, and drawing conclusions.
At the secondary levels, the syllabus is more specialised and is divided into three main subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. These subjects are part of the Pure and Sub Science track, which prepares students for GCE O-Level examinations. However, there is also an Additional Science track for students who wish to pursue a broader science education.
What Students Are Encouraged to Learn
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As a parent, you may already know that the secondary Science syllabus covers a wide range of topics. This includes a more in-depth study of physical laws and principles, chemical reactions and structures, genetics, ecology and such. As of recently, however, the syllabus focuses on developing critical thinking skills, scientific inquiry and incorporates real-world issues. For example, students are now educated in climate change, depletion of natural resources and innovations in technology such as AI.
Students are encouraged to in the classroom to develop the following:
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- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: To encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, students are taught to analyse data, make predictions and develop logical reasoning skills.
- Scientific Communication: Students are encouraged to develop effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to present their scientific findings and ideas clearly and coherently.
- Formulating Hypotheses: Students learn about the scientific method, which involves making observations, asking questions, formulating theories, conducting experiments, collecting data and drawing conclusions.
- Blended Learning: This involves the use of illustrations and graphics. Beyond texts, using pictorial examples helps in improving the students’ scientific literacy. Students are then equipped with the skills to present their knowledge through a structured presentation format.
- Recalling Key Topics: As much as thinking out of the box is important, students should still be familiarised with topical information that will be examinable. Besides just reviewing concepts and examples effectively, educators also highlight which are the topics and terms to remember.
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The last one can be tricky to master since there are numerous key terms to recall from multiple topics. However, remembering terms is an important part of preparing oneself for the exams and cannot be avoided. In the next segment, I will share tips on how students can recall key concepts in exams.
Preparing for Science Exams
- Understand the fundamentals: If students do not understand the fundamental principles and concepts underlying each topic, there is little point in placing the efforts on recalling. Once your child grasps the core ideas, it becomes easier to build upon them and make connections to more complex concepts that are derived from it.
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- Use mnemonic devices: Mnemonic devices are memory aids that help in associating information with something easier to remember. In school, teachers usually create acronyms, rhymes or visual images that link to specific scientific concepts. However, you can also encourage your child to come up with their own mnemonic devices if this makes it easier for them to remember. For example, ‘ROYGBIV’ helps remember the colours of the rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).
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- Mind-mapping: Mind-mapping can be helpful in relating new concepts to what one already knows. Drawing connections between different topics and relating scientific principles to real-life examples creates stronger memory associations. This is a quick method for students to recall concepts. Actively doing this helps to reinforce their understanding and aids in memory recall.
- Engage in active learning: By actively engaging with the materials instead of passively reading, the information is retained. Besides taking notes, summarising information in your own words and teaching someone else the concept are also ways to be an active learner. Active learning involves processing and manipulating the information, making it more memorable. The Conquer QUICK EXAM NOTES SCIENCE series encourages students to recall important topical information and review concepts effectively.
- Use visual aids: As mentioned earlier, students are encouraged to utilise visual aids in their learning. Diagrams, charts or infographics to represent scientific information can make the concepts easier to recall. Whereas diagrams and infographics are provided in school by educators, you can also encourage your child to make their own ones. Having visual representations of concepts that they can interpret can help with recalling statistics in an exam.
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Practise with hands-on activities: All the Science subjects, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, involve practical aspects beyond just the theory. In our local education system, practical exams take place before the theoretical ones. Hence, teachers provide plenty of opportunities for students to practise for their practical exams. You can also let your teenager practise the Conquer QUICK EXAM NOTES SCIENCE series that prepares them for practicals.
By engaging in hands-on experiments whenever possible, they solidify their understanding of concepts. This improves their memory of how the experiments are supposed to be done. So ensure that your child does not miss school on days where practical sessions take place.
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- Flash cards: Regularly reviewing your notes helps to reinforce the concepts and what better way to do this than with flash cards? Instead of cramming everything, writing down important formulas and concepts on a flash card will save time and energy. During little gaps of time like walking to school, for example, you can encourage your child to read these flash cards.
- Test yourself: You can practise recalling information by testing your child with quizzes, flash cards or practice problems. Otherwise, this is also something they can do on their own. Testing enhances memory retention and helps identify areas where you may need further review.
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- Take breaks and rest: Taking regular breaks while studying prevents mental fatigue. Focusing on something for too long can result in stagnation instead of progress. Taking breaks allows the brain to consolidate and process information. Also, ensure that your teenager gets sufficient sleep as sleep plays a critical role in memory consolidation.
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Diverse study groups – Being in a diverse study group, members can impart their knowledge and experience in various academic areas. Students can learn from one another and deepen their grasp of a variety of topics in this collaborative learning environment. The group can more successfully handle challenging subjects by using their collective knowledge.
Conclusion
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The tips offered above do not cost anything but are yet widely used techniques for recalling. In preparing for exams, these are effective strategies for remembering science concepts and are crucial for secondary school students. Feel free to check out the CONQUER QUICK EXAM NOTES SCIENCE series, which has been highly recommended by educators for recalling Science concepts. The series incorporates various learning techniques for easier reinforcement and recalling.
It’s important to remember that each individual may find certain techniques more effective than others, so students should experiment with different approaches to find what works best for them. With consistent effort and a proactive approach to learning, students can strengthen their scientific knowledge and succeed in their academic journey.
