Welcome to the Science Faculty
Science is the study of the physical world, where we establish facts by inquiry, investigation and observation. Studying Science helps us understand how the world works.
Science is an important part of our heritage – so many Scottish scientists have shaped the modern world as we know it and we use these applications every day in our lives, at work, leisure and home.
In a modern and ambitious world like ours, Science and its application are central to our economic future, our health and wellbeing as individuals and as a society.
This section of the website contains information about the department and the courses we have on offer from S1/S6 as well as information on Career Pathways, and information to support remote learning. For detailed information on all Senior Phase courses please visit the SQA website or alternatively you can view the National Parent Forum in a Nutshell publications below.
Members of the Faculty
BGE Science
In S1 and S2 pupils will experience of all 3 Sciences across a range of topics e.g. Matter, Electricity and Body Systems; developing their knowledge and understanding and their literacy, numeracy, research and communication skills. Teachers use a range of strategies to make this experience active, engaging and challenging for our young people.
During this stage, we also develop pupils understanding of the STEM subjects and application of their knowledge and skills to specific STEM activities. This ensures that our young people have the necessary skills to progress in the senior phase.
In S3 pupils have the opportunity to develop their knowledge further in one or more of the Sciences. At this point they will be taught by a subject specialist. This ensures that the can deepen and develop their knowledge and understanding as well as further develop their skills.
Senior Phase Biology
National 4
What skills will my child develop?
- knowledge and understanding of biology
- an understanding of biology’s role in scientific issues
- an understanding of biology in society and the environment
- scientific inquiry skills to plan and carry out experiments
- scientific analytical thinking skills in a biology context
- the ability to use technology, equipment and materials, in scientific activities
- problem-solving skills in a biology context • finding associations and investigating models in real-life contexts
- use and understand scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues
- information-handling skills (selecting, presenting, processing information)
- the ability to review science-based claims in media reports
- an understanding of the importance of accuracy
- evaluating environmental and scientific issues
- risk assessment and decision-making
Assessment
To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units
- Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
- Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) will ensure that learners can apply knowledge and understanding and scientific skills to an experiment or practical investigation. This may be evidenced in a portfolio of work
- The Assignment will require learners to research a topic of their choice, in consultation with their teacher. The investigation will be undertaken in up to 8 hours of class time and the findings will be written up in no more than 2 hours
National 5
What skills will my child develop?
- a deeper knowledge and understanding of biology
- a deeper understanding of biology’s role in scientific issues
- an understanding of biology in society and the environment
- scientific inquiry skills to plan and carry out experiments
- scientific analytical thinking skills in a biology context
- the ability to use technology, equipment and materials, in scientific activities
- problem-solving skills in a biology context
- use and understand scientific literacy, to communicate ideas and issues
- finding associations and investigating models in real-life contexts
- information-handling skills (selecting, presenting, processing information)
- the knowledge and skills for more advanced learning in biology
- the ability to review science-based claims in media reports
- an understanding of the importance of accuracy
- evaluating environmental and scientific issues
- risk assessment and decision-making
Assessment
To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment (Assignment and Question Paper
- Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
- Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) will demonstrate that learners can apply knowledge and understanding and scientific skills to an experiment or practical investigation and report on the investigation. This may be evidenced in a portfolio of work
- The Course Assessment will be a two-section Question Paper (exam) and an Assignment which will require learners to research a topical issue. The Course Assessment will be marked by the SQA and graded A to D
Higher
Skills
Learners will be able to:
- apply knowledge and understanding of biology
- understand biology’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of biology, including the impact these could make in society and the environment
- develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills
- develop scientific analytical thinking skills, including scientific evaluation, in a biology context
- use technology, equipment and materials, safely, in practical scientific activities, including using risk assessments
- develop planning and problem solving skills in a biology context
- use and understand scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues and to make scientifically informed choices
- work independently
Opportunities for Learners
Learners will be able to:
- develop deeper understanding of the underlying themes of biology: evolution and adaptation; structure and function; genotype and niche
- become scientifically literate
- draw on knowledge and understanding and apply the skills of scientific inquiry to practical investigations/experiments
Assessment
To gain Higher Biology learners must pass the three Units and the Course Assessment (Assignment and Question Paper for 120 marks)
Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre and are quality assured by the SQA. Achievement of Units is recorded on the learner's qualifications certificate
The SQA has provided examples of Unit assessments that teachers/lecturers can use as they are, or adapt to suit the needs of their learners
The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (20 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 100 marks) which is in two sections (see below). These are marked externally by the SQA
Higher Biology is graded from A to D or as No Award.
Question Paper
- Section 1: Multiple choice questions (20 marks)
- Section 2: restricted and extended response questions (80 marks)
- Assignment An investigation into a relevant topic, with research and a report written up under timed conditions
Adv Higher Biology
Senior Phase Physics
National 4
What skills will my child develop?
• knowledge and understanding of physics
• an understanding of the role of physics in scientific issues and relevant applications of physics in society and the environment
• scientific inquiry, investigative, analytical and evaluative thinking skills in physics and real life contexts
• the ability to use technology, equipment and materials
• problem-solving skills in a physics context
• scientific literacy, in everyday contexts, to communicate ideas and issues
• an insight into the underlying nature of our world and its place in the universe
• an understanding of the processes behind scientific advances
• information-handling skills
• drawing valid conclusions
• an understanding the importance of accuracy
• the knowledge and skills for more advanced learning in physics
Assessment
To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) will ensure that learners can apply knowledge and understanding and scientific skills to an experiment or practical investigation. This may be evidenced in a portfolio of work
• The Added Value Unit (Assignment) will require learners to research a topical physics issue during approximately 8 hours of class time. Findings will be written up in timed conditions (up to two hours).
National 5
What skills will my child develop?
• in-depth knowledge and understanding of physics
• applying this knowledge and understanding to new situations
• an understanding of the role of physics in scientific issues and relevant applications of physics in society and the environment
• scientific inquiry, investigative, analytical and evaluative thinking skills in physics and real life contexts
• the ability to use technology, equipment and materials
• problem-solving skills and creativity in a physics context
• extended scientific literacy, in everyday contexts, to communicate ideas and issues
• an insight into the underlying nature of our world and its place in the universe
• a deeper understanding of the processes behind scientific advances
• information-handling skills
• drawing valid conclusions and formulating hypotheses
Assessment
To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment (the Assignment and the Question Paper)
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) will ensure that learners can apply knowledge and understanding and scientific skills to an experiment or practical investigation. This may be evidenced in a portfolio of work
• The Course Assessment will consist of an Assignment and a two-part Question Paper (both are marked by the SQA). For the Assignment, learners will research a topical issue, then write it up. The Course Assessment is graded A to D.
Higher
Skills
Learners will be able to:
• apply knowledge and understanding of physics
• understand the role of physics in scientific issues and relevant applications of physics, including the impact these could make in society and the environment
• develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills
• develop scientific analytical thinking skills, including scientific evaluation, in a physics context
• use technology, equipment and materials, safely, in practical scientific activities
• develop planning skills
• problem-solve in a physics context
• use scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues and to make scientifically informed choices
• develop the knowledge and skills for more advanced learning in physics
Opportunities for Learners
Learners will be able to:
• develop their interest in and understanding of the world
• engage in a wide range of investigative tasks and develop important skills to become creative, inventive and enterprising
• evaluate environmental and scientific issues, consider risk, and make informed decisions
• describe and interpret physical phenomena using mathematical skills
• practise scientific methods of investigation from which general relationships are derived and explored
Assessment
To gain Higher Physics, learners must pass the four Units and the Course Assessment (Assignment and Question Paper for 120 marks)
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre and are quality assured by the SQA. Achievement of Units is recorded on the learner's qualifications certificate
• The SQA has provided examples of Unit assessments that teachers/lecturers can use as they are, or adapt to suit the needs of their learners
• The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (20 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 130
marks) which is in two sections (see below). These are marked externally by the SQA
• Higher Physics is graded from A to D or as No Award.
Question Paper
Section 1: Multiple choice questions (20 marks)
Section 2: Restricted and extended response questions (80 marks)
Assignment An investigation into a relevant physics topic, the findings of which are written up under timed conditions.
Adv Higher Physics
Senior Phase Chemistry
National 4 Chemistry
What skills will my child develop?
• application of knowledge and understanding of chemistry
• scientific inquiry and investigation skills
• scientific analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use technology, equipment and materials
• questioning and independent thinking
• problem-solving in a chemistry context
• using and understanding scientific literacy in everyday contexts
• planning experiments
• recording observations
• collecting and analysing data
• reviewing and re-designing research methods
• evaluating
• communicating findings
Assessment
To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units and the Assignment
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
• Unit Assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be digital or spoken presentations, posters, leaflets, extended writing, notes or podcasts.
Learners may use these to build a portfolio to show their progress through the Units.
National 5 Chemistry
What skills will my child develop?
• application of knowledge to new situations and a more advanced understanding of chemistry and its impact
• scientific inquiry and investigation skills
• scientific analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use technology, equipment and materials
• questioning and independent thinking
• problem-solving in a chemistry context
• using and understanding scientific literacy in everyday contexts
• planning experiments to test hypotheses or illustrate effects
• recording observations
• collecting, processing and analysing data
• making predictions and generalisations based on evidence
• drawing valid conclusions with explanations and evidence
Assessment
To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment (the Assignment and the Question Paper)
• Units are assessed by schools/centres (following SQA external quality assurance)
• Unit Assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be digital or spoken presentations, posters, leaflets, extended writing, notes or podcasts. Learners may use these to build a portfolio to show their progress through the Units
• The Course Assessment consists of the Assignment (a research investigation on a key topic, its application and its impact on society/environment. This will be presented as a report, researched in advance and written up under controlled conditions with the pupil’s research/data available) and a Question Paper (exam). Both are marked by the SQA and will be graded A to D.
Higher Chemistry
Skills
Learners will be able to:
• apply knowledge and understanding of chemistry
• understand chemistry’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of chemistry, including the impact of these on society and the environment
• develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills
• develop scientific analytical thinking skills, including scientific evaluation, in a chemistry context
• use technology, equipment and materials, safely, in practical scientific activities, including using risk assessments
• develop planning skills
• problem-solve in a chemistry context
• use and understand scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues and to make scientifically informed choices
Opportunities for Learners
Learners will be able to:
• study matter and its interactions
• find out about and appreciate the application of chemistry in everyday contexts
• enjoy practical and experiential learning opportunities
• plan and design experiments/practical investigations
• process information, make predictions, and draw valid conclusions
• evaluate experiments/practical investigations
Assessment
• To gain Higher Chemistry, learners must pass the four Units and the Course Assessment (Assignment and Question Paper for 120 marks)
• Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre and are quality assured by the SQA. Achievement of Units is recorded on the learner's qualifications certificate
• The SQA has provided examples of Unit assessments that teachers/lecturers can use as they are, or adapt to suit the needs of their learners
• The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (20 marks) and a Question Paper (exam for 100 marks) which is in two sections (see below). These are marked externally by the SQA
• Higher Chemistry is graded from A to D or as No Award.
Question Paper
- Section 1: Multiple choice questions (20 marks)
- Section 2: Restricted and extended response questions (80 marks)
- Assignment An investigation into a relevant chemistry topic, with findings written up under timed conditions.
Adv Higher Chemistry
Lab Sciences
Career Pathways
This is a very important time for our pupils and it is important that as much advice as possible is available from staff, Skills Development Scotland and parents/carers. This will enable our senior pupils to make informed decisions regarding their education and course choices. For pupils returning in S5 and S6 it is vital that they consider the commitment to study which is required in the senior school. Our curriculum is structured to allow for a wide variety of courses and levels of study.
It is important that all pupils have considered in advance why they have chosen to return to school and that they are being focused on their intended destination.
Celebrating Success
Remote Learning - Links
Bell Baxter Resources
Science Faculty on Twitter
Follow the Science faculty for all the latest information on what is happening in and around the school related to Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Here we will post updates to events, projects and achievements by all pupils and staff. We will also recommend some reading for pupils and adults alike. A fun way to stay up to date with everything that is happening in the world of science. Use the link or @Science_BBHS
Bell Baxter YouTube
Join us for updates on everything that is happening around the school. From pupil productions to updates on events and activities, we hope to keep you updated as best we can. You'll also find helpful guides and tutorials for pupils and adults on how to use programmes such as Glow, Teams and much more.
Complete Resources List
We have compiled a complete set of resources for all pupils across the curriculum. These cover biology, chemistry, physics and more. We will continue to update the list when new resources become available, so please do not forget to check back and see what has been added. The list is organised by subject for ease of navigation. You will find it here
External Resources
BBC Bitesize
What is Bitesize?
BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework! It provides support for learners aged 5 to 16+ across a wide range of school subjects. It also supports children and young people’s wellbeing and career choices. It is suitable for all ages and subjects across the curriculum.
National Parent Forum of Scotland
The Forum works in partnership with national and local government and other organisations involved in education and child wellbeing issues to ensure that parents play a full and equal role in education. The overall aim is to help every child to maximise their potential through their school life. The Forum also offers the handy Nationals in a Nutshell documents, which break down courses into understandable facts and information.
Apps
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is how teachers will communicate with pupils outwith of school. Each teacher will set up their classes through Teams and issue homework, handouts, and assignments in this manner. Teams is available as an app on most devices, as well as through Glow. We recommend that pupils use the app to access their work.
Click on this link to access information on how to MANAGE TEAMS.
Click on this link to access information on how to CHECK NOTEBOOK FOR WORK.
Click on this link to access information on how to HAND IN WORK WITH ASSIGNMENTS.
Office Lens
Office Lens is a handy app hat turns your smart device into a scanner. This can be used for scanning work from the whiteboard in school or any assignments completed at home. It is part of the Microsoft suite so it has Teams integration, making submitting work easier. It is also helpful for maintaining and organising notes from jotters and loose leaf paper.
