PSC1501 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 31 July 2025

QUESTION 1 Question 1.1 [20 marks] Science educators widely agree that practical work enhances learning in meaningful ways. a) List four main reasons why practical science is encouraged in the classroom. b) For each reason, provide a short explanation and describe one classroom situation where it applies. [4 marks for listing reasons; 4 × 4 = 16 marks for explanations and examples] 1.1 Explain four reasons why science teachers include practical activities in their lessons. For each reason, describe one example of a classroom activity that supports it. (4 reasons x 5 marks each = 20) 1.2 Discuss five possible reasons why teachers might choose not to include practical work in science classrooms. Your reasons should reflect common challenges in real school settings. Question 1.2 [10 marks] Not all teachers include practical work in their lessons. Identify and explain five challenges or limitations that prevent teachers from doing so. [5 × 2 marks = 10 marks] Question 1.3 [10 marks] a) Explain why developing practical skills is important in everyday life. b) Provide examples of how you would help learners develop the following skills through classroom science activities: Observing Measuring Comparing Grouping/classifying [2 marks for value of skills; 4 × 2 = 8 marks for examples] SECTION B: Scientific Thinking and Inquiry-Based Learning [Total: 30 marks] Question 2.1 [10 marks] Describe how you would explain the concept of “the scientific way of thinking” to someone with no background in science. Use clear, simple language and practical examples. Question 2.2 [10 marks] Inquiry-based learning is gaining popularity around the world. a) Define what inquiry-based pedagogy means. b) Do you believe it plays a valuable role in science education? Explain your answer with examples from the classroom. [2 marks for definition; 8 marks for opinion with justification] 2.1 Imagine explaining the scientific learning process to someone who has never studied science before. Write a short, simple explanation that includes how it helps learners think scientifically. (10 marks) 2.2 Inquiry-based learning is becoming more popular in science teaching. Do you think this method improves how learners understand science through practical work? Write a short argument explaining your answer and support it with at least two examples. (10 marks) 2.3 Define the following concepts using your own words. Also, indicate the unit and page number in your PSC1501 study guide where each concept is explained: (Each = 4 marks: 3 for definition, 1 for reference) 2.3.1 Types of practical activities 2.3.2 Differences between classroom and lab-based practicals 2.3.3 Equipment needed for classroom-based science 2.3.4 How to ensure safety and environmental care in practical lessons 2.3.5 The learners’ role in packing up and maintaining equipment (5 × 4 marks = 20 marks) Question 2.3 [10 marks] List five key features or characteristics of an inquiry-based learning approach. Support your list with short explanations. [5 × 2 marks = 10 marks] 2.1 Practical science helps learners develop a wide range of skills. (a) Briefly explain why practical skills are valuable in a learner’s everyday life. (2) (b) Choose four of the following skills and suggest a specific classroom activity to help learners develop each one: Observing Measuring Sorting and classifying Predicting Drawing conclusions (4 x 2 = 8) [Total for 2.1 = 10 marks] 2.2 Imagine you are explaining the concept of inquiry-based pedagogy to a student teacher. (a) Define what inquiry-based pedagogy is. (2) (b) Provide a reasoned argument for or against its use in teaching science through practical work. (8) [Total for 2.2 = 10 marks] 2.3 Identify and briefly describe five key features of inquiry-based teaching and learning in science. (5 x 2 = 10 marks) QUESTION 3: Concepts in Practical Science (20 Marks) 3.1 Use your own words to explain the following concepts. For each term, include the unit number and page number from your study guide where you found the theory. (a) Different types of practical science activities (b) How a classroom can be adapted for science practicals (c) Differences between school laboratories and ordinary classrooms (d) Equipment selection for science practicals in schools (e) Safety rules and environmental care during practicals (5 x 4 = 20 marks) SECTION C: Practical Science in the Classroom [Total: 30 marks] Question 3.1 [20 marks] The curriculum includes several concepts that guide how teachers implement practical science in everyday classroom settings. In your own words, explain each of the following terms and provide the unit and page number where you found the information: a) Ways of classifying practical science activities b) Differences between a classroom and a laboratory c) Choosing appropriate equipment for classroom science d) Maintaining safety and protecting the environment e) Learners’ role in cleaning and looking after science resources [3 marks per term + 1 mark for study guide reference = 5 × 4 = 20 marks] Question 3.2 [10 marks] The scientific process is used to solve real-world problems. a) Name the five steps of the scientific process. b) Briefly describe what each step involves. c) Give a classroom example that fits each step. There are several reasons why practical work is done. Design a poster, flyer or leaflet to show or explain to a group of learners why practical work is necessary. (20) Marks will be allocated as follows: • Title and creativity (4) • Content (4) • Relevance (graphics, diagrams, pictures) (4) • Clarity (appearance and message) (4) • Design, layout and neatness (4) QUESTION 2 1.1 In your own words, explain the main educational benefits of practical science in the classroom. For each benefit, describe a classroom scenario where it could apply. (4 benefits × 5 marks = 20 marks) 1 mark: Naming the benefit 2 marks: Explaining it 2 marks: Practical classroom example 1.2 List and explain five common barriers that prevent teachers from using practical science in their daily teaching. (5 × 2 marks = 10 marks) 1.3 Practical skills are important beyond the classroom. First, explain why practical science skills are valuable in everyday life. Then, describe a classroom activity that can help learners develop each of the following skills: Observing Measuring Comparing Classifying 2.1 Your poster, flyer or leaflet you designed for question 1 explained why practical work is done. However, teachers often leave practical work out of their teaching. Identify five reasons why teachers leave out practical work in their teaching practice. (10) 2.2 Inquiry-based pedagogy is being embraced in principle across the globe. In the last decade, its effectiveness has been supported by an increasing body of research. List five characteristics of an inquiry-based pedagogy. (10) 2.3 Explain the following concepts or terms in your own words and indicate the unit and page numbers in the study guide where you found the theory for answering this question. 2.3.1 Classifying Practical Activities 2.3.2 Classroom versus Laboratory 2.3.3 Equipment for practical science in the classroom 2.3.4 Safety in the Classroom and Environmental Impact Outside it 2.3.5 Washing up, tidying, maintenance – the role of learners. 4 Rubric for mark allocation Criteria Marks Total Explanation of the concepts/terms in your own words (0 marks for cutting/copying and pasting from the study guide and/or any other source) 3 15 Study guide reference (unit number and page number) 1 for both 5 Total 20 (20) QUESTION 3 2.1 Imagine explaining the scientific learning process to someone who has never studied science before. Write a short, simple explanation that includes how it helps learners think scientifically. (10 marks) 2.2 Inquiry-based learning is becoming more popular in science teaching. Do you think this method improves how learners understand science through practical work? Write a short argument explaining your answer and support it with at least two examples. (10 marks) 2.3 Define the following concepts using your own words. Also, indicate the unit and page number in your PSC1501 study guide where each concept is explained: (Each = 4 marks: 3 for definition, 1 for reference) 2.3.1 Types of practical activities 2.3.2 Differences between classroom and lab-based practicals 2.3.3 Equipment needed for classroom-based science 2.3.4 How to ensure safety and environmental care in practical lessons 2.3.5 The learners’ role in packing up and maintaining equipment (5 × 4 marks = 20 marks) 3.1 Specific aim 1: “Doing Science” states that: Learners should be able to complete investigations, analyse problems and use practical processes and skills in evaluating solutions. The scientific process is a way of investigating things about the world. Scientists use this process to discover the world and solve problems. Demonstrate your understanding of the scientific process by: • Identifying the steps of the scientific process (5) • Explaining each step/what each step is comprised of (10) • Supplying an example of each step from an investigation (5) (20) 3.2 There are several types of practical activities. Demonstrate your understanding of demonstrations, experiments and practical investigations. The information should include the following: • Supplying an example of each practical activity • The role of the learner during each practical activity • The role of the teacher during each practical activity • An important element of each practical activity to consider (20) QUESTION 4: Understanding the Scientific Process (20 Marks) 4.1 The scientific process is central to how learners approach investigations. (a) List the five steps of the scientific process. (5) (b) Briefly explain what each step involves. (10) (c) Provide an example of how each step can be applied in a school investigation. (5) [Total for 4.1 = 20 marks] QUESTION 5: Applying Practical Methods (20 Marks) 5.1 Describe the differences between the following types of practical science activities. Your answer should include: One classroom example The role of the learner The role of the teacher A key point to keep in mind for each (a) Demonstration (b) Guided experiment (c) Learner-led practical investigation (3 x 5 = 15 marks) 5.2 In your own words, explain how microscale equipment and video demonstrations can help make science practical work more accessible. Refer to at least two of the four reasons why practical science is done. (5 marks)