Learning objectives

At the completion of this unit, pupils should be able to:

  1. Develop observation and interpretation skills
  2. Formulate their own questions and hypothesis
  3. Plan, carry out and report on an investigation that can answer their question/ hypothesis
  4. Specify the dependent, independent and control variables of their designed experiment
  5. Learn how to record and present data in a table and graph format
  6. Consider the limitations of the methodology
  7. Discuss and evaluate both the validity and the reliability of the outcomes of their designed experiments
  8. Consider conservation of endangered plant species
  9. Learn relevant ecological terminology
  10. Consider safety and ethical issues
  11. Estimate the density of an endangered plant species in a named ecosystem
  12. Suggest how conservation of specific endangered species can take place.
  13. Design and perform an experiment for investigating the effect of temperature or any other specifically selected abiotic factor on the development of seeds of a selected plant or its seedlings that can be find in the ecosystem under investigation
  14. Inquire about the construction of a greenhouse
  15. Identify living organisms in the local ecosystem
  16. Construct keys using common features of organisms
  17. Inquire about scientific classification –taxonomy- of organisms
  18. Inquire about the life cycle of a living organism
  19. Inquire about the role of an organism in the ecosystem
  20. Use genetics to identify common features of organisms
  21. Discuss the theory of evolution based on DNA homologies
  22. Learn how to draw a biological diagram using a flower from their local ecosystem
  23. Understand the significance of biological magnification
  24. Relate the structure of a flower to seed production, whilst learning relevant terminology, such as, pollination, fertilization. To identify pollen grains using microscopy
  25. Understand the structure of seeds
  26. Evaluate the methods used by seed banks in the conservation of endangered plants
  27. Inquire about the life cycle of a named insect and its role in pollination
  28. Collect pollen from flowers and observe them under a microscope
  29. Inquire about the effects of Global warming in seasonal flowering, pollination and seed biology
  30. Design and perform an experiment to investigate the time that they can store selected seeds
  31. Implement an appropriate methodology for safely obtaining a plant extract
  32. Investigate the effect of different plant extracts/ antibiotics on bacteria

It is not the intention that pupils should work on each learning objective in turn, but that the pupils should develop their basic skills in science by carrying out an inquiry-based project.