Science Department IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL Course Code: SNC 1P1 Course Name: Grade 9 Applied Science Course Overview: The overall aim of the secondary science program is to ensure scientific literacy for every secondary school graduate. This aim can be achieved byof meeting three overall for everyExpectations student. The secondaryinclude: program, from Grade 9 through Grade 12, is Strands Study and goals Overall designed to promote these goals: - to understand the basic concepts of science - to develop the skills, strategies and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry; - to relate science to technology, society and the environment Course Expectations: This course enables students to develop their understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics, and to apply their knowledge of science to everyday situations. They are also given opportunities to develop practical skills related to scientific investigation. Students will plan and conduct investigations into practical problems and issues related to the impact of human activity on ecosystems; the structure and properties of elements and compounds; space exploration and the components of the universe; and static and current electricity. Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include: A1. demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating); A2. identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study, and identify scientists, including Canadians, who have made contributions to those fields. B1. analyse the impact of human activity on terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and assess the effectiveness of selected initiatives related to environmental sustainability; B2. investigate some factors related to human activity that affect terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and describe the consequences that these factors have for the sustainability of these ecosystems; B3. demonstrate an understanding of characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the interdependence within and between ecosystems, and the impact humans have on the sustainability of these ecosystems. C1. analyse how properties of common elements and/or simple compounds affect their use, and assess the social and environmental impact associated with their production or use; C2. investigate, through inquiry, physical and chemical properties of common elements and simple compounds; C3. demonstrate an understanding of the properties of common elements and simple compounds, and general features of the organization of the periodic table. D1. analyse the major challenges and benefits of space exploration, and assess the contributions of Canadians to space exploration; D2. investigate the properties of different types of celestial objects in the solar system and the universe; D3. demonstrate an understanding of major astronomical phenomena and of the principal components of the solar system and the universe. E1. assess the major social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of using electrical energy, distinguishing between renewable and non‑renewable sources, and propose a plan of action to reduce energy costs; E2. investigate, through inquiry, the properties of static and current electricity and the cost of the consumption of electrical energy; E3. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles of static and current electricity. Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to ensure these expectations are being met. Course Breakdown Resources: The course will use a variety of resources including video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of print sources. The textbook will be distributed to students during the first week of the course. The text and all other resources assigned to students are the responsibility of the student. Any damage incurred will result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost for the text will be posted in the classroom. UNITS OF STUDY: Biology – Sustainable Ecosystems and Human Activity Chemistry – Exploring Matter Physics – Electrical Applications Earth and Space Science – Space Exploration Evaluation Structure:: Knowledge & Understanding Thinking & Investigation Communications Application TEXTS AND RESOURCES: Nelson Science Connections 9 25 % 35 % 15 % 25 % The above is reflected both in the term work (worth 70% of the final mark) and the summative work (worth 30% of the final mark). Summative work consists of the Final Exam (15 %) and a Culminating Activity (15 %). Evaluation Policy Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be utilized. Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories. Category Knowledge/Understanding: Knowledge of content and understanding of content. Level 1: Level 2: Level 3: Level 4: 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100% Limited display of: knowledge of content Some success in: knowledge of content Considerable display of: knowledge of content Thorough understanding of: knowledge of content uses creative thinking initiating, processing and planning skills and strategies with limited effectiveness uses creative thinking initiating, processing and planning skills and strategies with some effectiveness uses creative thinking initiating, processing and planning skills and strategies with considerable effectiveness uses creative thinking initiating, processing and planning skills and strategies with a high degree of effectiveness Communication: Expression and organization of ideas and information and use of conventions vocabulary, and terminology of the discipline in oral, graphic, and written forms. communicates, uses conventions and terminology, organizes ideas and information with limited effectiveness communicates, uses conventions and terminology, organizes ideas and information with some effectiveness communicates, uses conventions and terminology, organizes ideas and information with considerable effectiveness communicates, uses conventions and terminology, organizes ideas and information with a high degree of effectiveness Application: Application and transfer of knowledge and skills; Making connections between science, technology, society, and the environment. transfers and applies knowledge and skills to unfamiliar contexts and proposes courses of practical action with limited effectiveness transfers and applies knowledge and skills to unfamiliar contexts and proposes courses of practical action with some effectiveness transfers and applies knowledge and skills to unfamiliar contexts and proposes courses of practical action with considerable effectiveness Thinking: Use of planning skills, processing skills and critical/creative thinking skill. transfers and applies knowledge and skills to unfamiliar contexts and proposes courses of practical action with a high degree of effectiveness Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like RESPONSIBILITY, ORGANIZATION, INDEPENDENT WORK, COLLABORATION, INITIATIVE, and SELF-REGULATION are assessed independently from student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following letter grades: E –Excellent G – Good S – Satisfactory N - Needs Improvement Other Evaluation Issues LATE ASSIGNMENTS The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The teacher will establish a deadline and each day late after this date an appropriate penalty will be established. The exact conditions and penalties can be obtained from the school handbook. INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the rubric or evaluation structure. MISSED TESTS . Teachers will give the class ample notice for up-coming tests/evaluations. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for an alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with the teacher before the scheduled time for the test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the day of the student’s return) from a parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher indicating that the parents are aware the student has missed a test. If a test is missed as a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with no opportunity for a re-write. PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark that is determined by the administration in collaboration with the classroom teacher. Further information can be obtained from the school handbook. ATTENDANCE It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, at all classes and scheduled activities. Students who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work when absent.