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Teacher Resource Bank
GCE Applied Science
Unit 1 – Guidance
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Contents
Introduction
2
Making Decisions
3
Process
4
Resources
5
Bibliography
6
References
6
Internet References
7
Key Dates
7
Key Focus Area
8
Overview of Key Focus Areas
8
Key Question Areas:
• Types of organisations which use science
• How science is used in organisations
• How health and safety regulations are used in the workplace
• How the organisation impacts on the local community
• Any other interesting scientific features?
9
9
9
10
10
Portfolio Checklist
11
Personal Objectives
12
Monitoring Form
13
Marking Grid
14
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
UNIT 1: INVESTIGATING SCIENCE AT WORK
Introduction
This unit is made up of two sections:
• a summary of local organisations and businesses that use scientific skills, and
• a detailed case study of one organisation or business that you have identified in
your summary.
The choice of your organisation is a crucial part of this unit. It is important that you pick
an organisation you are interested in, and that will give you sufficient information to
include in your report. It is advisable that you pick an organisation you will be able to
find information about, which may include an organisation that a parent/guardian works
for. This unit is designed to give you the opportunity to develop your understanding and
appreciation of how science is used in businesses and organisations.
There are certain criteria that should be considered regarding the choice of your
business/organisation. These are as follows:
•
•
•
•
2
The business/organisation must be easily accessible for you to collect the
information required.
The case study needs to be long enough to explore all the areas required in
depth, but not so long that the information is lost within unnecessary data about
the company.
The company must have a solid link to science, which can be discussed in the
report. If you cannot think how the company is linked to science then select
another to research.
Remember it is quality, not quantity that counts. Appendices can be used but
these will not be marked. Do not put in work that is irrelevant!!
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Making Decisions
In order to reach a final decision about the company/business it is important that all
of the criteria are met. These criteria can look quite daunting in the first instance
and also quite confusing. There are several ways of approaching the choice of
company or business, but remember, if you are going to produce a case study on
this company then it must be included in your summary of local businesses!!
You could start by looking at a company that you have visited before. This may
have been through school, work experience or in your own time. You may decide to
pick a company that you have family links with, parents, sister, brother or another
family member may work at a science based company, and will be able to provide
you with inside information that will be useful to your case study. You may wish to
choose a company that you are interested in. Perhaps you have been past the
company and wondered what it is they do, maybe you have even considered the
company as a place of employment for the future, or possibly it is a company that
you know you can write a lot about.
Once you have selected a company to study you should then discuss it with your
teacher.
Once the final decision has been made then you should try to arrange a visit to the
organisation as soon as possible. Visiting the company is not essential and will not
affect your marks if you are unable to visit it.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Process
The following is an indication of how this unit can be approached. Do not
underestimate how long this unit will take – there is a lot of work to do so start early!
Summary of local organisations
•
•
•
Identify approx 20 local organisations that have links with science.
Choose the size of the research area carefully – too small and there will not
be enough businesses, too large and there will be too many.
Produce a map pin pointing the locations of these organisations.
Choice of organisation
•
•
•
Consider the AQA criteria and select the organisation you will study.
Ensure you can obtain sufficient information on the organisation.
Confirm the choice with your teacher.
Case Study
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
This is a detailed report (not including appendices), based on the
organisation you have chosen to research. It is important that your
investigation into the organisation is very thorough as this will make the
case study easier to complete.
Begin by using each of the key areas of focus as the basis for the different
sections of the case study. Turn all of your notes into continuous prose, and
make sure they are in a logical order.
This will follow the summary of local organisations to form your final piece of
work.
Complete the first draft and hand it to your teacher. Redraft your work based
on the comments and then resubmit.
You will need to complete several drafts before this is a finished product. All
sources used must be referenced in your bibliography. It is essential that
you use a range of research methods, and not just the Internet.
Assemble the bibliography and any other material required in the
appendices. You should refer to your appendices in the main report.
Leave the case study on one side for a couple of weeks and then revisit it.
You will almost certainly have to revise it further.
Double check you have covered all the key areas of focus, as well as your
spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Throughout the process your teacher will help you and support you with this work.
However, there is a lot to do on your own. If you are stuck with any section then
make sure you ask for help. Your teacher will guide you with the skills to enable
you to complete this work.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Resources
Internet research – remember to check the quality and the facts of any Internet
resources that you use. There is no quality control of information that is on the
Internet, as there is with print based books.
Business Directories – Every household has one of these and they will contain a
wide variety of businesses. It can be difficult to locate specific businesses, but with
perseverance you can identify a broad range of companies.
A visit to the company is probably one of the best ways to obtain information about
the company. It is not essential to visit the company but it will allow you the
opportunity to take photographs and ask questions to help complete the case
study.
Please check that you can take photos before the visit, so you do not offend the
organisation.
Remember: you, your friends, other people in the group and your family all count as
a resource. Use them!
Keep a bibliography as you go along!! (See next section)
Aim for 4 – 5 good quality references.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Bibliography, References and Internet References
Bibliography
The purpose of a bibliography is to list the sources that you have consulted when
putting the report together. It is not a list of books or websites with titles that look
relevant that you should have used but never got round to it!
A bibliography does not have to be pages and pages long but it must contain all the
sources that you have used and (hopefully) referred to in your report.
The following information must be included in a bibliography in this order:
•
•
•
•
The name of the author (or editor)
The full title
The name of the publisher and place of publication
The date of the publication (including the date of the specific edition if it is
not the first)
Whilst it does not have to be included, the ISBN number can also be useful as this
is a quick way for someone to access the book should they want to read more
about the subject.
Here is an example of how a bibliography can be set out:
Boyd, Malcolm. Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos. Cambridge University Press,
1993. (Cambridge Music Handbooks).
ISBN: 0-521-38713-2.
References
Within your report it is perfectly acceptable, if not advisable to include references or
quotations from the sources that you have used as part of the investigative process.
BUT…
You must acknowledge the sources. If you do not you are guilty of PLAGIARISM
and this will lead to your being disqualified from this unit at AS level. This is because
you sign a declaration on completion that asks you to list all the sources that you have
consulted. Otherwise it will be termed as deliberate deception.
Short quotations should be included in single quotation marks with a footnote. The
footnote should contain the same information as you would find in the Bibliography with
the addition of the page number from which the quotation has come.
If you paraphrase or refer to a key fact that you have taken from someone else’s work
then you should also footnote this in the same way.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Internet References
It is also acceptable to include websites that you have used during the construction of
your report, provided that you reference you sources in the correct manner.
The following information must be included in a bibliography in this order:
•
•
•
•
•
The name of the author (or editor)
The title of the article
The name of the publisher and/or place of publication
The date of the publication (including the date of the specific edition if it is
not the first)
The actual web site address
Here is an example of how to reference a website:
Lynch, Tim. “DSN Trials and Tribble-ations Review.” Psi Phi: Bradley’s Science Fiction
Club. 1996. Bradley University. 8th October 1997
http://www.bradley.edu/campusorg/psiphi/DS9/ep/503r.html.
Key Dates
The following are the Key Dates for this unit:
Summary of local businesses
Completed by:
Choice of company
Completed by:
Case Study
Types of organisations which use science
How science is used
How health and safety regulations are used
How the organisation impacts on the local community
First draft of report
Second draft of report
Third draft of report
Fourth draft of report
Fifth draft of report
Final deadline for report
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Key Focus Areas
The questions listed below represent the main areas on which your report should
focus. However, every organisation is different and will have an individual emphasis
depending on the role of the organisation, nature of work done, processes used, size
etc. Therefore these should be used as a guide only.
Remember that your teacher will support you with this piece of work and that regular
updates are entirely appropriate, as is using e-mail support. If your research suggests
additional areas to investigate, then double check with your teacher first to ensure that
you are not wasting valuable time!
For each focus area you are advised to keep detailed notes. Remember to refer back
to sources and keep a note of them in your bibliography.
The Key Focus Areas are a suggested order for the final report to take, but you may
order the report any way you choose. It is important to remember though that marks
are awarded for the structure and presentation of the final report.
The Key Focus Areas are:
•
•
•
•
Types of organisations which use science
How science is used in organisations
How health and safety regulations are used in the workplace
How the organisation impacts on the local community
Overview of Key Focus Areas:
Types of organisations which use science
Science has an impact on a wide range of organisations. Whether it is in a cutting –
edge technology industry, or somewhere such as a small bakery, science forms the
foundations of many industries.
Organisations which use science can be broadly grouped into those that manufacture
or process scientific products for sale and those that provide a scientific service.
How science is used in organisations
In an organisation which uses science, the scientific knowledge and skills are applied in
a variety of ways. There will be a range of people employed in these organisations.
Some employees will routinely use science without having a full understanding of how
or why the science they use is important. Others will have a formal science background
and apply this in their work.
How health and safety regulations are used in the workplace
Health and safety regulations are designed to ensure that employers provide their
employees with a safe environment in which to work. These regulations protect the
people who work in an organisation and those who may be affected by their products
or services. Employers are responsible for making arrangements for implementing
health and safety measures that are identified as necessary by a risk assessment for
any task undertaken.
How the organisation impacts on the local community
Organisations can impact the local community through employment (both direct and
indirect), resource demands and contributions to the economy. In addition there are
socio-economic and environmental effects (beneficial and detrimental) that can affect
organisations, as well as the local community.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Key Question Areas
Types of organisations which use science
1. Can you explain the difference between organisations/businesses that
manufacture or process scientific products for sale, and those that provide a
scientific service?
2. What possible research methods could you use?
3. What size of area are you going to research?
4. Why did you select this size area?
5. Can you produce a map of the local area?
6. Have you identified approximately 20 scientifically related businesses within this
area?
7. What additional details could you include about each company that will enhance
your summary?
8. What is the best way to present this information?
Remember:
This is just a summary of local organisations/businesses.
This does not mean it is just a list of organisations/businesses, but it does not require
masses of information on each company.
You must include the company you are going to research in depth in your summary.
How science is used in organisations
1.
2.
3.
Have you identified which business you are going to research in depth?
What information could you include in an introduction to this business?
Have you identified the work done by the business? E.g.
a. Research
b. Production
c. Quality control
d. Safety
e. Education
4.
What processes do they use that are based on current scientific knowledge?
5.
What scientifically based jobs are available within the company?
6.
What are the roles, responsibilities, qualifications and skills of each of these
employees?
7.
How is ICT used in the organisation?
8.
Are there any commercial, legal or health and safety constraints that apply to
the business?
9.
What laws apply to the business?
10. Can you make links between the nature of the work done and the other areas
researched?
Remember:
You must make sure the case study is well structured and has a logical flow to it.
You must make sure it is clearly presented.
The research must be detailed with links between the areas above.
How health and safety regulations are used in the workplace
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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What are risk assessments and why are they used?
Does the business have any examples of a risk assessment?
How does the organisation use risk assessments?
What are the common hazards in the organisation?
What are the common injuries arising from the types of organisations you are
researching?
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
How are hazards controlled in the organisation?
What site regulations are imposed by the:
a. Managers?
b. Local authority?
c. Other agencies?
What Health and Safety laws apply specifically to your chosen organisation?
Explain what kite marks are. Does your organisation use kite marks in the
production of any goods?
Where are kite marks found within the organisation?
What do kite marks mean to customers?
Under what circumstances can kite marks be awarded?
Remember:
You must make sure the case study is well structured and has a logical flow to it.
You must make sure it is clearly presented.
The research must be detailed with links between the areas above.
How the organisation impacts on the local community
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
How does the organisation manage energy consumption?
What measures are they taking to reduce the amount of energy consumed by
the business?
Is the company environmentally aware? In what ways?
What demands does the organisation make on the transport system?
What demands does the organisation make on communication systems, e.g.
telephones, e-mail, postal system etc?
How does the company dispose of waste materials?
What effect does this have on the local environment?
What contributions does the organisation make to the local economy?
Consider employment (direct and indirect), links with other businesses,
sponsorship, etc.
Remember:
You must make sure the case study is well structured and has a logical flow to it.
You must make sure it is clearly presented.
The research must be detailed with links between the areas above.
Any other interesting scientific features?
Are there any other aspects that you found out about the organisation that do not
belong in any of the categories above? If so, include them in you case study if you feel
they enhance the case study. If you are unsure then ask your teacher.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Portfolio Checklist
When you have completed your summary of local businesses and research on an
individual organisation, you should check to make sure that you have completed the
following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Have you included a summary of the local businesses?
Does the summary include the business you are researching in depth?
Have you indicated if the businesses in the summary are manufacturers,
providers, etc?
Have you included a map of the area you researched?
Have you identified where the businesses in your summary are on the map?
Have you included a few details about the companies?
Have you explained the difference between a service provider and a
manufacturer or processor?
Have you identified which company you are researching in depth?
Have you included an introduction to your chosen company?
Have you identified the nature of the work done?
Have you included the area(s) of science represented?
Have you identified the process (es) used, and linked the processes to the
underlying science?
Have you described and explained how the organisation uses ICT?
Have you identified the health and safety constraints that apply the
organisation?
Have you identified the legal and commercial constraints that apply the
organisation?
Have you recorded if any of the process used have any specific health and
safety constraints?
Have you recorded if any of the process used have any specific legal and
commercial constraints?
Have you highlighted current health and safety regulations that apply to the
organisation?
Have you shown how these regulations are used within the organisation?
Have you explained what kite marks are and where they can be found?
Have you identified if kite marks are used within your organisation?
Have you discussed how the organisation impacts on the local community?
Have you commented on the role the organisation has on the employment (both
direct and indirect), within the local community?
Have you referred to how the company make demands on the transport
system?
Have you identified how the organisation contributes to the local economy?
Have you discussed energy consumption of the business?
Have you spell checked your work?
Have you checked your punctuation and grammar?
Have you proof read your work?
Have you referenced your sources?
Have you included a bibliography?
Have you referred to your appendices within your report?
Have you numbered all of the pages and presented these in the correct
order?
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Personal Lesson Objectives
Date:
Personal Objective:
12
Comments:
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Applied Science Unit 1
Name:_________________________________________
Topic
Breakdown
The types of
organisation which
use science
Identify and use research methods to give
details of local organisations and/or
businesses that use science to:
• Manufacture or process scientific
products for sale
• Provide a scientific service
Identify one organisation to study in
depth.
How science is
used in
organisations
Date Due
Completed
Visit to organisation
Identify nature of work done
Processes used based on applying
current scientific knowledge
Scientifically related skills used
Roles and responsibilities of qualified
staff and types of qualifications they have
How ICT is used in the company
How Health and
Safety regulations
are used in the
workplace
How the
organisation
impacts on the local
community
Constraints under which it operates e.g.
• Commercial
• Legal
• Health and safety
Use of risk assessments
Hazards involved in the operations, how
these are controlled
Site regulations imposed by managers,
local authority etc.
Health and safety laws that apply to that
organisation
Kite marks, role and what it means to
customers. Process by which kite marks
are achieved
Identify how energy consumption is
managed in the organisation
Demands made on transport and
communication systems
Management of waste materials, and
effect on local environment
Contributions to the local economy
Completed assignment
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13
Effort
Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
Marking Grid for Unit 1
Mark Band 1
There was an
attempt to identify
appropriate research
methods.
These research
methods were, in
turn, used to identify
a range of
organisations and/or
businesses that
manufacture or
process scientific
products for sale and
provide a scientific
service.
Mark Band 2
There was a good
attempt to identify
research methods.
Mark Band 3
A variety of suitable
research methods
were identified.
These research
methods were, in
turn,
used to identify a
range of
organisations
and/or businesses
that manufacture or
process scientific
products for sale
and provide a
scientific service.
The initial research
was complete but
limited by the range
of techniques used.
These research
methods were, in
turn, used to
identify a range of
organisations
and/or businesses
that manufacture or
process scientific
products for sale
and provide a
scientific service
From the initial
research, a single
organisation was
identified. A lack of
further suitable
research into the
organisation did not
allow for a detailed
exploration of the
organisation in terms
of:
the nature of the
work,
A single
organisation was
selected and
studied, and
research
undertaken in
terms of:
The research into
one local
organisation
considered
The comprehensive
study of one local
organisation was
undertaken in such
a way that it is clear
to see the links
between
the nature of
the work
the nature of the
work undertaken
the scientific nature
of the work
the scientific
processes involved
the skills and
qualifications of all
employees
health and safety
considerations or the
use of ICT
the scientific
processes used
the skills and
qualifications of all
employees
health and safety
considerations
the processes
involved
the skills and
qualifications of
employees
the roles and
responsibilities of
all scientifically
qualified staff
health and safety
considerations
and the use of ICT
the processes used
The initial research
was incomplete and
limited by the range
of techniques used.
and the use of ICT
14
The research used
was thorough and
consistent.
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Mark Band 4
A wide variety of
appropriate
research methods
were identified
These research
methods were, in
turn, used to
identify a wide
range of
organisations
and/or businesses
that manufacture or
process scientific
products for sale
and provide a
scientific service.
Research has
allowed for a
comprehensive
summary to be
produced.
the skills and
qualifications of
employees
the roles and
responsibilities of
all scientifically
qualified staff
health and safety
conditions
and the use of ICT
in the organisation
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
The portfolio contains
little structure and
teacher guidance
was often required.
however, although
this research was
generally complete,
it is difficult to make
the necessary links
between the nature
of the work
undertaken by the
organisation and
other aspects of the
research.
Some capacity to
work alone has
been evident,
although teacher
guidance was
sought.
The resulting
portfolio is not
always logical or
clear.
however, some of
the necessary links
are missing
between the nature
of the work of the
organisation and all
other aspects of the
research
There are slight
inaccuracies and
some
inconsistency.
The portfolio is, for
the most part clear
and logical.
The final outcome
was achieved
largely unaided.
(21-30 marks)
(1-10 marks)
(11-20 marks)
The overall
impression is that
research was
undertaken with little
regard to the final
outcome.
Although the health
and safety
guidelines were
applied to the
organisation, the
understanding of
these guidelines
was hampered by
poor research into
the organisation.
The good
understanding of
health and safety
guidelines was
generally applied
well to the
organisation;
Although there is an
understanding of
health and safety
guidelines, it is
difficult to see how
this was applied to
the chosen
organisation.
This was applied to
the organisation as
far as possible.
However, there are
slight omissions
and inaccuracies.
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Working completely
autonomously, a
portfolio was
produced which is
well structured and
clearly presented.
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(31-40 marks)
A thorough
understanding of
health and safety
guidelines was
obtained through
research, and this
understanding was
applied correctly
and thoroughly to
the chosen
organisation and its
operations.
There is a clear
understanding of
the commercial,
legal and health
and safety
constraints under
which the
organisation
operates.
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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0
There is a vague
awareness of
commercial, legal
and health and safety
constraints but these
are applied to the
organisation
inconsistently
The impact of the
organisation on the
local community was
explored; however,
there are many
inconsistencies and
omissions.
(1-5 marks)
Total Marks Awarded
16
A sketchy
understanding of
how the
organisation
functions has led to
some awareness of
the commercial,
legal and health
and safety
constraints under
which the chosen
organisation
operates.
How the
organisation
impacts on the
local community
was not explored
fully/consistently.
The incomplete
understanding of
how the
organisation
functions means
that there are minor
omissions in the
commercial, legal
and health and
safety constraints
under which the
organisation
operates.
This follows
through into the
impacts that the
organisation has on
the local
community.
(6-10 marks)
(11-15 marks)
AO1
AO2
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These have been
arrived at from a
complete
understanding of
how the chosen
organisation works.
This understanding
was carried through
to provide a full
consideration of
how the
organisation
impacts on the
local community.
(16-20 marks)
TOTAL
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