Science in the World

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
A/505/5355
Credits:
5
Guided learning hours:
40 hours

Assessment Guidance

Portfolio of Evidence.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.

Know the factors that can influence scientific progress.

Indicative Content

Learners might focus on given scientific discoveries that are relevant to their current preferences or workplace placements. For example, learners working in food technology might review how pasteurisation was first discovered and the factors that influenced its widespread use in wine making and eventually milk pasteurisation. They might also research gene technology, in terms of genetically modified crops and/or biotechnology to produce beer/wine/vinegar.

By researching how these methods were first invented, and following their integration into society, learners should be able to identify and describe factors that influence this progress and explain their success. In addition, learners should research unsuccessful inventions, possibly ones like the Sinclair C5 or inventions that had both positive and negative impacts, e.g. nuclear fission/fusion.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Identify the factors that have influenced the progress of different scientific discoveries identified.
  • 1.2
    Identify one scientific discovery or advancement which has not made the expected progress and give a brief description of its progress.
2.

Understand how science is represented in the media.

Indicative Content

Learners should review a range of articles from media sources, hard copy or digital. They should describe how different media sources have reported a selected controversial scientific topic, for example genetically modified (GM) crops, stem cell research, fracking etc. When reviewing the articles, learners should be able to extract and review any scientific based evidence to identify the views expressed.

When reviewing different articles learners should explain why one media publication might explain a science story differently from another. Eventually, learners should be able to compare and contrast such articles and explain why the media sources decided the selected subject is controversial. In addition, learners could evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in the scientific evidence presented in a range of media coverage on a recent controversial scientific topic.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Describe how different media publications have reported a selected controversial scientific topic.
  • 2.2
    Outline the scientific based evidence in each of the media articles on the selected topic which supports the views expressed.
  • 2.3
    Explain why one media publication might explain a science story differently from another.
3.

Know how scientific discoveries or advances have been used in society.

Indicative Content

Learners should outline the impact that different scientific discoveries or advances have had on our lives today. For example, they could research electronic devices, such as the mobile phone, tablets etc. They should outline the factors contributing to the successful application of different scientific discoveries or advances possibly by focusing on three or four such applications maybe of radiation, electro-magnetic waves, stem cells etc.

Learners could describe some of the evidence which points to the success of identified scientific discoveries or advances and explain why some scientific discoveries or advances have had successful applications in society and some have not. Looking at one of their selected scientific discoveries or advancements they should outline some of its unintentional consequences. They could describe how the unintentional consequences of a scientific discovery have had a beneficial or a detrimental effect and evaluate how some detrimental, unintentional consequences of a scientific discovery were overcome.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Outline the impact that different scientific discoveries or advances have had on our lives today.
  • 3.2
    Outline the factors contributing to the successful application of different scientific discoveries or advances.
  • 3.3
    Outline some of the unintentional consequences of a scientific discovery or advancement.