Curragh Community College

Science

Welcome to the Science Department!

As you may know, the old Junior Certificate Curriculum has been replaced with Junior Cycle Science and you may have some questions about what this means in terms of teaching, learning and assessment.

There are five strands in Junior Cycle Science:

  • Nature of Science
  • Biological World
  • Chemical World
  • Physical World
  • Earth and Space

The new specification ensures that over the three years of Junior Cycle Science, students will develop investigation techniques, evaluate scientific data and encourage observation and an awareness of the students’ environment. In class, we study try to complete experiments where possible. Students will also be given the opportunity to partake in co-curricular events such as BTYSE and Scifest.

Key Information for assessment:

2nd Year

(in term three)

Classroom Based Assessment

During a period of three weeks, with support and guidance

by teacher

Extended Experimental Investigation

Result will appear on Junior Cycle Portfolio of Achievement

3rd Year

(in term two)

Classroom Based Assessment 2

Science in Society Investigation

Result will appear on Junior Cycle Portfolio of Achievement

3rd Year (before Christmas)

Assessment Task

Written in class exam

10% of final Junior Cycle

Grade

3rd Year

State Exam in June

2 hour exam graded by the State Examinations

Commission

90% of final Junior Cycle

Grade

Co-curricular activities include:

  • Science week events
  • BTYSE
  • Science Workshops
  • Scifest
  • Stem Club
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