PRS 402 D Science and technology
Exam summaries
PRS 402 D Science and technology
Exam summaries
Natural science
Study unit 1
The 4 content areas for Science:
1. Life and living – life processes, healthy living and biodiversity
2. Energy and change – how energy is transferred in physical and biological systems as well as the consequences of using
energy resources for human needs.
3. Matters and materials – Focus on the properties and uses of materials as well as the
structure, changes and reactions of materials
4. Planet earth and beyond – Focus on the structure of the planet and the Earths
changes over time. It also focusses on the change in weather and the Earth as a small planet in an enormous universe.
The 3 content areas for Technology:
1. Systems and control
2. Structures
3. Processing
, Study unit 2
SCIENTIFIC LITERACY:
Definition of scientific literacy?
It is so children can understand and be interested in the world around them, to be able to
ask questions, draw conclusions and make decisions about the environment and their
health.
Three features in scientific literacy:
1. The content and concept of science
2. Nature and process of science
3. Relationship between science and society
What create an unbalanced curriculum?
The fact that relationship between science and society get almost no attention, that is
why there will be little chance for scientific literacy to become an outcome.
How is scientific literacy promoted?
Children should be able to see things in a scientific way. Science for young learners should build a foundation of ideas
that enables them to understand events in their immediate environment and link the different experiences and
ideas to build a bigger idea.
The overall aim is to develop the skills and attitudes of learners to make informed decisions. That is why learners should
become familiar with identifying, collecting, interpreting
evidence and answering questions.
,Components of science for young learners:
1. Science knowledge / concepts:
Life and living
Matters and materials
Energy and change
Planet Earth and beyond
2. Science process skills:
Observing – Use of all the senses to make sense of the world
Comparing – To describe differences and similarities between objects
Classifying – when learners group and sort real objects
Measuring - to quantify observations through numbers, distance, time, volume and
temperature.
Inferring – The use of prior knowledge of the world to make a statement about something,
example: leave of a tree is moving, learner infer that the wind is blowing.
Predicting – to guess what will happen
Experimenting – doing something to see what happens
Communicating – to show or tell others what we observed and found out.
3. Scientific values and attitudes:
Attitudes in science:
Motivating attitude – Show curiosity and interest
Group participating attitude – To work in a group effectively.
Investigating attitudes – Inventiveness to solve a problem.
Reflective attitude – Changes ideas if not consistent to evidence.
Attitude towards science:
The viewpoint of the individual – Positive image about science
The viewpoint of society – Positive attitudes are good for society.
The viewpoint of science and scientists – a positive attitude towards science to disregard the
misconception that science is only for scientists.
, Progression in the 3 components of science:
1. Progression in concept formation / knowledge:
To construct new concepts and ideas, but to expand existing knowledge as well.
Description – explanation
Small – big ideas
Personal – shared ideas
2. Progression in process skills:
To enable children to develop understanding, to identify and use evidence in making
decisions and solving problems.
Simple – Elaborate = to explain ones ideas
Effective use in similar situations – effective use in unfamiliar situations = to answer questions and
solve problems in unfamiliar situations
Unconscious – conscious actions = Become aware of ones thinking and reasoning
3. Progression in values and attitudes:
Effective learning is only possible through positive attitudes and values.
Self-orientation – orientation to others = being open to others ideas
External motivation – internal motivation = internal control to learn and take responsibility.
Exam summaries
PRS 402 D Science and technology
Exam summaries
Natural science
Study unit 1
The 4 content areas for Science:
1. Life and living – life processes, healthy living and biodiversity
2. Energy and change – how energy is transferred in physical and biological systems as well as the consequences of using
energy resources for human needs.
3. Matters and materials – Focus on the properties and uses of materials as well as the
structure, changes and reactions of materials
4. Planet earth and beyond – Focus on the structure of the planet and the Earths
changes over time. It also focusses on the change in weather and the Earth as a small planet in an enormous universe.
The 3 content areas for Technology:
1. Systems and control
2. Structures
3. Processing
, Study unit 2
SCIENTIFIC LITERACY:
Definition of scientific literacy?
It is so children can understand and be interested in the world around them, to be able to
ask questions, draw conclusions and make decisions about the environment and their
health.
Three features in scientific literacy:
1. The content and concept of science
2. Nature and process of science
3. Relationship between science and society
What create an unbalanced curriculum?
The fact that relationship between science and society get almost no attention, that is
why there will be little chance for scientific literacy to become an outcome.
How is scientific literacy promoted?
Children should be able to see things in a scientific way. Science for young learners should build a foundation of ideas
that enables them to understand events in their immediate environment and link the different experiences and
ideas to build a bigger idea.
The overall aim is to develop the skills and attitudes of learners to make informed decisions. That is why learners should
become familiar with identifying, collecting, interpreting
evidence and answering questions.
,Components of science for young learners:
1. Science knowledge / concepts:
Life and living
Matters and materials
Energy and change
Planet Earth and beyond
2. Science process skills:
Observing – Use of all the senses to make sense of the world
Comparing – To describe differences and similarities between objects
Classifying – when learners group and sort real objects
Measuring - to quantify observations through numbers, distance, time, volume and
temperature.
Inferring – The use of prior knowledge of the world to make a statement about something,
example: leave of a tree is moving, learner infer that the wind is blowing.
Predicting – to guess what will happen
Experimenting – doing something to see what happens
Communicating – to show or tell others what we observed and found out.
3. Scientific values and attitudes:
Attitudes in science:
Motivating attitude – Show curiosity and interest
Group participating attitude – To work in a group effectively.
Investigating attitudes – Inventiveness to solve a problem.
Reflective attitude – Changes ideas if not consistent to evidence.
Attitude towards science:
The viewpoint of the individual – Positive image about science
The viewpoint of society – Positive attitudes are good for society.
The viewpoint of science and scientists – a positive attitude towards science to disregard the
misconception that science is only for scientists.
, Progression in the 3 components of science:
1. Progression in concept formation / knowledge:
To construct new concepts and ideas, but to expand existing knowledge as well.
Description – explanation
Small – big ideas
Personal – shared ideas
2. Progression in process skills:
To enable children to develop understanding, to identify and use evidence in making
decisions and solving problems.
Simple – Elaborate = to explain ones ideas
Effective use in similar situations – effective use in unfamiliar situations = to answer questions and
solve problems in unfamiliar situations
Unconscious – conscious actions = Become aware of ones thinking and reasoning
3. Progression in values and attitudes:
Effective learning is only possible through positive attitudes and values.
Self-orientation – orientation to others = being open to others ideas
External motivation – internal motivation = internal control to learn and take responsibility.
