Science topics to suit all tastes

By DITA DE BONI education reporter

The study of science in all its forms has been jazzed up for New Zealand Year 11 students.

They still learn about the periodic table but can now take astronomy as well. Rote learning of physics formulae exists alongside the study of genetic modification and cloning.

Human biology, covering the reproductive and digestive systems among other things, is studied as a separate paper, making room for studies on the environment and rock formation.

With each scientific discipline split into a different achievement standard, schools can choose subjects they want to teach and drop those they do not within general science - unlike School Certificate, which tested a little of everything.

Despite this choice, the basics have stuck - more than 37,260 students sit the NCEA chemistry standard this morning as part of the general science exam, while 35,319 sit physics.

Geology is the next most popular choice, with 30,279 candidates, followed by biology, with 28,709, and astronomy, at 25,575.

The prescriptive science curriculum of the 1980s has given way to more flexibility for schools, which can be good and bad, says Science Online manager Sandy McGivern.

A science curriculum resource site for students and teachers of the discipline, ScienceOnline, is used by close to 200 schools. So Ms McGivern, a former science teacher, is familiar with students' likely revision choices in the lead-up to national exams.

She says now that teachers can pick and choose what components of science they will teach, some are less inclined to choose astronomy or geology if it is not their area of knowledge.

"But [that flexibility] is positive as well, as it gives people more time to cover the subjects they choose."

Debates have ranged within science circles over the NCEA method of separating and breaking down subjects into tasks, which some teachers have labelled "unscientific".

But others have applauded the way investigative skills are required to be stronger under the new regime.

The specialised NCEA chemistry exam will be held this afternoon, but the 2000 or so NCEA chemistry students will also have to attend the general science exam in the morning to gain the right number of credits in their subject.

That means they will have three hours to sit one section - the chemistry section - in the general science exam, a situation some teachers describe as "ludicrous".

The University Bursary line-up today is classical studies, which 4993 students take, and Japanese, sat by 956 hopefuls.

Yesterday's NCEA history exam was comprehensive but interesting enough to keep students engaged, teachers told the Herald.

Moreen McKenzie, head of history at St Cuthbert's College in Epsom, said the exam was fair and catered for a variety of levels.

She said a large section on the atomic bomb would have kept male students particularly interested.

"It's a timely issue and lots has been in the news about war and threats to peace, so most students would have had some ideas about what they could write."

Jillian Pascoe, a Year 11 student at Rotorua Girls High School, said she found the exam easier than expected and had finished early, like many of her classmates.

"I did mainly the Maori and Pakeha issues. But there was lots of choice for everyone in the exam and not too many surprises."