Academic

Course Objectives

The mission of the department is to educate students by providing enriching learning experiences in science. We are committed to the highest standards of quality in teaching, assessment, and learning. Our goal is to design a curriculum that fosters the acquisition of foundational knowledge across various disciplines while promoting independent and critical thinking. This approach enables students to understand their potential and responsibilities, communicate their knowledge effectively, and conduct themselves in a constructive, ethical, and professional manner.

Major Concern

• Enhancing students' competency and improving learning outcomes in science through innovative pedagogy and the integration of STEAM education throughout the curriculum

Curriculum

Integrated Science

The broad aims of this curriculum are that students should

• acquire fundamental scientific knowledge and concepts essential for living in and contributing to a scientific and technological world;
• develop inquiry and problem-solving skills;
• become familiar with the language of science and possess the ability to communicate ideas effectively in science-related contexts;
• foster curiosity and interest in science;
• integrate and apply knowledge and skills in science, mathematics, and technology, while understanding basic concepts of engineering design;
• comprehend the practical applications of science and Innovation & Technology (I&T) in daily life;
• recognize the utility and limitations of science, understand the interplay between science, technology, and society, and cultivate a sense of responsible citizenship, including respect for the environment and commitment to prudent resource management; and
• appreciate and comprehend the evolutionary nature of scientific knowledge.

S1

• Introducing Science
• Water
• Looking at Living Things
• Cells, Human Reproduction and Heredity
• Energy
• Matter as Particles

Necessary Practical Skills

• Using a dropper to transfer solution
• Mixing solution in a test tube
• Using a Bunsen burner
• Using a thermometer
• Reading the scale of a ruler
• Taking a reading from a measuring cylinder
• Using a stopwatch
• Measuring the volume of objects with irregular shapes by displacement method
• Using a microscope
• Preparing slides of animal and plant cells

S2

• Living Things and Air
• Making Use of Electricity
• Common Acids and Alkalis
• Sensing the Environment
• Force and Motion

Necessary Practical Skills

• Performing the burning-splint/glowing splint test
• Collecting gas using underwater method
• Performing the test with hydrogencarbonate indicator/ limewater
• Carrying out the cobalt chloride paper test
• Performing the iodine test
• Heating by using a water bath
• Connecting a simple circuit
• Using an ammeter
• Using a voltmeter
• Using a rheostat
• Distinguishing series and parallel circuits
• Testing acids and alkalis with litmus paper
• Measuring pH values of common acids and alkalis with pH paper
• Performing 'pop' sound test
• Using a scalpel

Physics

The broad aims of this DSE curriculum are to enable students to:

• develop interest in the physical world and maintain a sense of wonder and curiosity about it;
• construct and apply knowledge of physics, and appreciate the relationship between physical science and other disciplines;
• appreciate and understand the nature of science in physics-related contexts;
• develop skills for making scientific inquiries;
• develop the ability to think scientifically, critically and creatively, and to solve problems
• individually or collaboratively in physics-related contexts;
• understand the language of science and communicate ideas and views on physics-related issues;
• make informed decisions and judgments on physics-related issues; and
• be aware of the social, ethical, economic, environmental and technological implications of physics, and develop an attitude of responsible citizenship.

S3

• Introducing Physics
• Reflection of Light
• Refraction of Light
• Lenses
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Further Discussions about Light

S4-S6

Compulsory Part:

• Heat and Gases
• Force and Motion
• Wave Motion
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy

Elective Part:

• Atomic World
• Energy and Use of Energy

Chemistry

The broad aims of this DSE curriculum are to enable students to:

• develop interest and maintain a sense of wonder and curiosity about chemistry;
• construct and apply knowledge of chemistry, and appreciate the relationship between chemistry and other disciplines;
• appreciate and understand the evolutionary nature of science;
• develop skills for making scientific inquiries;
• develop the ability to think scientifically, critically and creatively, and solve problems individually and collaboratively in chemistry-related contexts;
• discuss science-related issues using the language of chemistry;
• make informed decisions and judgements on chemistry-related issues;
• develop open-mindedness, objectivity and pro-activeness;
• show appropriate awareness of working safely; and
• understand and evaluate the social, ethical, economic, environmental and technological implications of chemistry, and develop an attitude of responsible citizenship.

 S3

• Introducing Chemistry
• Planet Earth
• The Microscopic World I
• Metals

S4-S6

 Compulsory Part:

• Microscopic World I
• Metals
• Acids and Bases
• Fossil Fuels and Carbon Compounds
• Microscopic World II
• Redox Reactions, Chemical Cells and Electrolysis
• Chemical Reactions and Energy
• Rate of Reaction
• Chemical Equilibrium
• Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
• Patterns in the Chemical World

Elective Part:

• Industrial Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Biology

The broad aims of this DSE curriculum are to enable students to:

• develop and maintain an interest in biology, a sense of wonder and curiosity about the living world, and a respect for all living things and the environment;
• construct and apply knowledge of biology, understand the nature of science in biology-related contexts, and appreciate the relationships between biological science and other disciplines;
• develop the ability to make scientific inquiries; think scientifically, critically and creatively; and solve biology-related problems individually and collaboratively;
• understand the language of science and communicate ideas and views on biology related issues;
• be aware of the social, ethical, economic, environmental and technological implications of biology, and be able to make informed decisions and judgments on biology-related issues; and
• develop an attitude of responsible citizenship, and a commitment to promote personal and community health.

S3

• Introducing Biology
• Food and humans
• Nutrition in humans
• Enzyme and metabolism
• Health and diseases

S4-S6

Compulsory Part:

• Cells and Molecules of Life
• Genetics and Evolution
• Organization and Environment
• Health & Diseases

Elective Part:

• Human Physiology: Regulation and Control
• Applied Ecology

School- based Curriculum

S1-S2 –  STEAM

The broad aims of this school based curriculum are that students should

• help students become lifelong learners in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, enabling them to meet the challenges of the 21st century;
• provide students with a solid knowledge base while enhancing their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics;
• strengthen students' ability to integrate and apply knowledge and skills across disciplines to solve real-world problems through STEAM-related learning activities; and
• nurture students' creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while unleashing their potential for innovation.

S1-S3 – Global Competency Education (GCE): Science+ (Introduction to Biotechnology & Forensic Science)

The broad aims of this school-based curriculum are that students should

• help students identify the applications of biotechnology in society.
• explain the potential benefits and ethical issues related to biotechnology.
• identify the basic principles of biotechnology and equip students with fundamental laboratory skills.
• develop problem-solving skills in conducting biotechnological research.
• appreciate the positive impact of biotechnology on social advancement.

>> Photos of Science Activities <<