AQA 2011 science GCSEs
AQA integrates ideas about the nature and methods of science into all content units in its specifications. Controlled assessment tasks are used for skills and knowledge relevant to investigative practical work.
The controlled assessment for G
CSE Science A, GCSE Additional Science and GCSE Physics is an Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) consisting of two written papers. The controlled assessment for GCSE Science B is a contextualised investigation.
AQA uses scientific terms consistent with those described in The Language of Measurement, a booklet published by the Association of Science Education in 2010. Definitions of terms are not required in assessments, but candidates are expected to use the terms correctly.
Fuller information and support is of course available from AQA, and detailed guidance for teachers is provided on its website.
Case Studies and Experiments linked below could support the development of skills and knowledge expected of AQA candidates for How Science Works. They are grouped into the categories used in the AQA specifications.
Observation; Developing explanations
- Henri Becquerel discovers radioactivity
- William Herschel and the discovery of infra-red radiation
- The magnetic Earth
- Rutherford's alpha scattering experiment
Designing an investigation
- Investigating simple steel springs
- Heating and cooling curves
- Investigating the resistance of wires
- Measuring the average density of a student
- Investigating the time of oscillation of a pendulum
- Measuring paper
Making measurements
- Investigating simple steel springs
- Stretchy sweets
- Measuring the radius of a marble
- Measuring the thickness of a coin
- Measuring paper
Presenting data
- I/V characteristic of a carbon resistor
- Measuring the density of liquids
- Heating and cooling curves
- Absorbing radiant energy with different surfaces
- Radiation from black and shiny surfaces
- Simple electromagnet
Using data to draw conclusions
- I/V characteristic of a carbon resistor
- Investigating simple steel springs
- Stretchy sweets
- Measuring the density of liquids
Related Guidance