hij Teacher Resource Bank GCE Applied Science Unit 1 – Guidance Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. Dr Michael Cresswell, Director General. 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 klm Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 1 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!! Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm 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. klm Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3 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. 4 Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm 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. klm Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 5 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. 6 Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm 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 klm Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 7 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. 8 Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm 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. klm 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? Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 9 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. 10 Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm 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: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • klm 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? Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 11 Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Applied Science / Unit 1 – Guide / Version 1.0 Personal Lesson Objectives Date: Personal Objective: 12 Comments: Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm 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 klm Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 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. Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 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 klm 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. klm Working completely autonomously, a portfolio was produced which is well structured and clearly presented. Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. (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. 15 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 Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 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 klm