Sciences: The Phenomena of the Natural World
In a typical mainstream science class, the teacher begins by introducing students to a theory and formula. Students proceed with experiments that demonstrate the theory and work out results using the presented formulas. At South Devon Steiner College, students explore science like scientists. They closely observe the phenomenon and, with guidance from the teacher, derive concepts, formulas, and scientific laws from their first-hand explorations. The scientific methodology trains students to observe carefully and question critically.
The science program is unique in another fundamental way: students have concentrated blocks of each scientific discipline each year, building a foundation of understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and outdoor science. The material engages students as they grow.
Class Nine students, for example, explore the Skin and Sense Organs, the Rhythmic System (heart and lungs) and Ethical / Human Rights issues in Biology Main Lessons.
In Chemistry, they study Element, Compound and Mixture, Photosynthesis and Respiration (as processes of oxidation and reduction), the Chemistry of Sugars, Starch, Cellulose, Alcohols, Acids and Esters, Enzymes and Fermentation, Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration, Alcohol (abuse and addiction), the Carbon Cycle, the Chemistry of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide (in relation to air pollution and ozone), Destructive Distillation of Wood and Coal, Fractional Distillation of Oil, an Exploration and Drilling for Oil, Refining and Catalytic Cracking, the Chemistry of Hydrocarbons and Hydrogen and an exploration of the Ecological and Environmental consequences of the use of Hydrocarbon Derivatives (carbon dioxide, pesticides, fertilisers, eutrophication and acid rain).
In Physics, they explore Heat and Engines including the first and second laws of Thermodynamics, Air Pressure and the Historical Development of the Steam Engine. They also study Electricity and Acoustics including Ohm’s Law calculations, practical explorations of electrical output and units, and potential difference, current and resistance.
In Outdoor Science, the class nine student will look at trees and the landscape, and study the nitrogen cycle and its environmental effects.
Class Ten students, explore process, growth, and transformation throughout the curriculum; their Biology class is embryology and heredity. Students will re-visit the metabolic system, the skeletal system and the nervous system, building on their earlier studies. They will also look at the hormonal system.
In Chemistry, students explore Mineral Forms, the Origin and History of Common Salt, Crystallising, Dissolving and Melting, the Biological Significance of Osmosis, Thermal Decomposition of Salts, Formation of Salts from Acids and Bases (lime cycle, cement), Acid-base Polarity in the Living World, Reactions of Acids with Metals, Carbonates etc. (formulae and equation) and where Metals and Non Metals fit in the Periodic Table. They also study Electrolysis and Electrochemistry, the Industrial Applications (electroplating, batteries), the History of Metals and Refining due to Reactivity, Lead Acid Batteries and The Reactivity Series.
In Physics, class ten students explore Classical Mechanics (Kinematics, Statics and Dynamics) with the option to look at the Coriolis Effect.
In Outdoor Science, the class ten student will learn traditional Hedge laying techniques, study the Propagation of Plants and explore Plant Dyes.
In Class Eleven, Biology Main Lessons explore the History of the Microscope, the Plant Cell, Genetics, Classification of Plants, Goethe’s Botanical Studies, Ecology: Role of plants, relationships to animals, Plant-Insect relationships (inter-dependent relationships), Plant and Landscape, Earth as a Biospeher and Agriculture and Forestry.
Chemistry lessons in class eleven allow the students to study Element, Compound, Mixture and Basic Laws for Chemical Bonding / Combinations. They explore Greek ideas of the atom and the elements and those represented by Dalton, Bohr and modern quantum physics. They study Analytical Chemistry (testing for ions, acid radicals and anions) and take a historical and practical approach to the Laws of Conservation of Mass, Constant and Multiple Proportions, Relative Atomic Mass (use of formulae and equations), Gas Laws, Avogadro’s Number, The Periodic Table, Radioactivity, Moral, Social, Economic and Environmental Effects of Nuclear Power and Biographies (Dalton, Lavoisier, Mendeleev, Curie, Bohr, Rutherford and Oppenheimer).
In Physics, class eleven students will explore Electricity, Signal Generators and Atomic Physics.
In the Outdoor Sciences, there is a general theme of how we can be useful in tackling environmental issues.
Biological sciences continue with Class Eleven Botany and Cell Biology, then Class Twelve Zoology and Evolution.
The science program is unique in another fundamental way: students have concentrated blocks of each scientific discipline each year, building a foundation of understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and outdoor science. The material engages students as they grow.
Class Nine students, for example, explore the Skin and Sense Organs, the Rhythmic System (heart and lungs) and Ethical / Human Rights issues in Biology Main Lessons.
In Chemistry, they study Element, Compound and Mixture, Photosynthesis and Respiration (as processes of oxidation and reduction), the Chemistry of Sugars, Starch, Cellulose, Alcohols, Acids and Esters, Enzymes and Fermentation, Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration, Alcohol (abuse and addiction), the Carbon Cycle, the Chemistry of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide (in relation to air pollution and ozone), Destructive Distillation of Wood and Coal, Fractional Distillation of Oil, an Exploration and Drilling for Oil, Refining and Catalytic Cracking, the Chemistry of Hydrocarbons and Hydrogen and an exploration of the Ecological and Environmental consequences of the use of Hydrocarbon Derivatives (carbon dioxide, pesticides, fertilisers, eutrophication and acid rain).
In Physics, they explore Heat and Engines including the first and second laws of Thermodynamics, Air Pressure and the Historical Development of the Steam Engine. They also study Electricity and Acoustics including Ohm’s Law calculations, practical explorations of electrical output and units, and potential difference, current and resistance.
In Outdoor Science, the class nine student will look at trees and the landscape, and study the nitrogen cycle and its environmental effects.
Class Ten students, explore process, growth, and transformation throughout the curriculum; their Biology class is embryology and heredity. Students will re-visit the metabolic system, the skeletal system and the nervous system, building on their earlier studies. They will also look at the hormonal system.
In Chemistry, students explore Mineral Forms, the Origin and History of Common Salt, Crystallising, Dissolving and Melting, the Biological Significance of Osmosis, Thermal Decomposition of Salts, Formation of Salts from Acids and Bases (lime cycle, cement), Acid-base Polarity in the Living World, Reactions of Acids with Metals, Carbonates etc. (formulae and equation) and where Metals and Non Metals fit in the Periodic Table. They also study Electrolysis and Electrochemistry, the Industrial Applications (electroplating, batteries), the History of Metals and Refining due to Reactivity, Lead Acid Batteries and The Reactivity Series.
In Physics, class ten students explore Classical Mechanics (Kinematics, Statics and Dynamics) with the option to look at the Coriolis Effect.
In Outdoor Science, the class ten student will learn traditional Hedge laying techniques, study the Propagation of Plants and explore Plant Dyes.
In Class Eleven, Biology Main Lessons explore the History of the Microscope, the Plant Cell, Genetics, Classification of Plants, Goethe’s Botanical Studies, Ecology: Role of plants, relationships to animals, Plant-Insect relationships (inter-dependent relationships), Plant and Landscape, Earth as a Biospeher and Agriculture and Forestry.
Chemistry lessons in class eleven allow the students to study Element, Compound, Mixture and Basic Laws for Chemical Bonding / Combinations. They explore Greek ideas of the atom and the elements and those represented by Dalton, Bohr and modern quantum physics. They study Analytical Chemistry (testing for ions, acid radicals and anions) and take a historical and practical approach to the Laws of Conservation of Mass, Constant and Multiple Proportions, Relative Atomic Mass (use of formulae and equations), Gas Laws, Avogadro’s Number, The Periodic Table, Radioactivity, Moral, Social, Economic and Environmental Effects of Nuclear Power and Biographies (Dalton, Lavoisier, Mendeleev, Curie, Bohr, Rutherford and Oppenheimer).
In Physics, class eleven students will explore Electricity, Signal Generators and Atomic Physics.
In the Outdoor Sciences, there is a general theme of how we can be useful in tackling environmental issues.
Biological sciences continue with Class Eleven Botany and Cell Biology, then Class Twelve Zoology and Evolution.
