The SQA has recently announced changes to the Course Specification for National 5 Biology. You can access the Revised Course Specification here. One of the major changes which will come into effect at the start of the 2017/2018 academic session is that practical / experimental / fieldwork will become a mandatory feature of the assignment. The Biology Team has been commissioned to produce 2 Resource Packs which could be used to support teachers and students with this change. Details of the resource packs follow but we should point out that these are exemplars not mandatory pieces of practical work which must be done. We acknowledge that many other practicals currently undertaken would be equally appropriate for use to support the assignment. Indeed, over the coming months we shall, within SSERC, be looking to see how we might add to the pool of exemplars. We would be happy to receive comments / feedback on the Resource Packs and this can be sent to enquiries@sserc.scot. Each Resource Pack consists of 3 elements:
- A Teacher / Technician Guide.
- A Student Guide.
- A generic risk assessment which might be used as the basis for the circumstances which exist in your own school / college.
Resource Pack 1 – Limiting Factors in Photosynthesis
The elements of this resource pack can be accessed:
- Teacher / Technical Guide (Microsoft Word version, pdf version).
- Student Guide (Microsoft Word version; pdf version).
- Risk assessment (Microsoft Word version).
Resource Pack 2 – Fertiliser and the Growth of Algae
The elements of this resource pack can be accessed:
- Teacher / Technical Guide (includes Risk Assessment) (Microsoft Wordversion, pdf version).
- Student Guide (Microsoft Word version; pdf version).
Resource Pack 3 – Catalase Activity in Immobilised Yeast
Please note – this resource pack has not been endorsed by SQA. The elements of this resource pack can be accessed:
- Teacher / Technical Guide (Microsoft Word version, pdf version).
- Student Guide (Microsoft Word version, pdf version).
Understanding Standards Events
SSERC has been invited to attend a series of Understanding Standards events organised by SQA. The SSERC presentation, delivered as part of these events, can be downloaded here.
