March 2023 Teaching Science update

This update provides information on the following:

• Pearson School sustainability research
• Free Support, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (D,E&I) and Mastery
• GCSE Science Online Network: Effective 'teacher talk' that supports learning in the GCSE Science classroom
• GCSE Science: Submission of the Head Teacher declaration form
  
• GCSE Astronomy Observation Statement 
• Equation sheets for GCSE Physics, Combined Science and International GCSE Sciences for 2023 assessments
• A level Biology A pre-release scientific article
• A level Science: Submission of the Head Teacher declaration form
• Free A level Science training on 'Understanding our Exams'
• View from the Lab podcast
• IAL Biology pre-release scientific article
• International Science qualification training
• Final May/June 2023 timetables
• BTEC news

Pearson School sustainability research

With concern around issues such as climate change and sustainability in schools and amongst young people, Pearson is looking at how to support schools in integrating global issues into their curriculum. We are looking for school leaders, curriculum decision makers and teachers who are willing to take part in a phone interview lasting approximately 45 minutes. You will be sent a short brief in advance of an interview. If you would like to take part in this research and share your views, please get in touch via the form below.

Free Support, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (D,E&I) and Mastery

The Pearson Edexcel Science Product Team are keen to understand what support teachers need. Please fill out this quick survey about our free support, Mastery and D,E&I to help us to support you. We'd love to hear your thoughts! 

GCSE Science Online Network: Effective 'teacher talk' that supports learning in the GCSE Science classroom

22 March 4-5.30pm

We will be hosting a Network event for GCSE science teachers who are keen to improve their practice. In this Network Pritesh Raichura/@Mr_Raichura will run through the use of effective teacher talk as one of the key pillars of effective pedagogy.

Pritesh will focus on:

• the principles of planning good questions for science lessons
• examples of how this might ‘look’ in the classroom
• how to plan effective teacher-led lessons, including examples of strategies such as ‘break it down’ 'fire questions' and ‘exaggerate so they notice’
• strategies to improve their ‘Quality Teacher Talk’.

Places at this event are capped so please book early to secure your place.

GCSE Science: Submission of the Head Teacher declaration form

The GCSE Science practical Head Teacher form is required by the 15 April. Please see the update below to obtain the form and link to submit it.

GCSE Astronomy Observation Statement

The GCSE Observation Statement is required by the 15 April. Please see the update below to obtain the form and link to submit it.

Equation sheets for GCSE Physics, Combined Science and International GCSE Sciences for 2023 assessments

Students will have access to a revised equation sheet for GCSE Physics and GCSE Combined Science (the physics components) for the summer 2023 exam series. The same approach is being provided for International GCSE Physics exams. Please see the updates below where you will be directed to the equation sheets.

A level Biology A pre-release scientific article

The Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology 9BN0 (SNAB) Paper 3 scientific article for the Summer 2023 series will be issued on the 17 March. It will be available to download from the qualification page in the 'Course Materials' section.

The article can be given to students so they can study and annotate it over the coming weeks in preparation for the Paper 3 examination paper 9BN0/03. Students are not allowed to take their annotated copy into the examination room - there will be a fresh copy inside examination paper. In the unlikely event the fresh copies are missing, then please download it from the qualification page.

A level Science submitting the Head Teacher declaration form and Endorsement marks.

The A level Science practical Head Teacher form is required by the 15 May. Please see the update below to obtain the form and link to submit it.

A ‘Pass’ (P) or ‘Not Classified’ (NC) decision for each student should also be submitted on Edexcel Online by 15 May.

Free A level Science training on 'Understanding our Exams'

We will be offering free training for A level Sciences on 'Understanding our Exams'.

In these events delegates will:

• look at how our question papers are designed to test the specification content
• understand how and why markers are standardised to mark exam papers
• see some examples of mark schemes applied to recent exam questions
• consider some strategies to improve how students respond to exam questions
• address common issues and FAQs

Dates for these events are listed below and start with an event for A level Chemistry on 23 March.

• A level Chemistry - 23 March
• A level Biology A - 27 April
• A level Biology B - 3 May
• A level Physics - Date to be announced

View from the Lab podcast

Our latest 'View from the Lab podcast’ is now available titled 'Exploring the future of science education. The FEDORA project - with Professor Sibel Erduran'

In this episode Andy Woods talks to Professor Sibel Erduran from the University of Oxford's education department. Over the past couple of years Sibel has been involved in an EU research project known as the ‘FEDORA project’.

The project is looking at answering some very big questions in science education namely: What knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values will today’s students need to thrive in and shape their world?

In addition, we discuss how we can develop students into informed ‘citizens of science’ grappling with concepts in a world of fast paced change.

IAL Biology pre-release scientific article

The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology Unit 5 (WBI15) pre-release scientific article for the Summer 2023 exam series will be issued on the 17 March. It will be available to downloaded from the qualification page in the 'Course Materials' section.

The article can be given to students so they can study and annotate it over the coming weeks in preparation for the Unit 5 examination paper. Students are not allowed to take their annotated copy into the examination room. There will be a fresh copy provided inside the Unit 5 written examination paper. In the unlikely event that these are missing, or if you do not have enough copies, you can download the article from the qualification page.

International Science qualification training

The training opportunities we have available for International GCSEs and IALs in Science are listed below.

International GCSE Science Training

• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE/Advanced Level Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sciences (Part 1) - 28 March 2023 at 13:00 - 15:00 GMT (Online)

• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE/Advanced Level Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sciences (Part 2) - 29 March 2023 at 13:00 - 15:00 GMT (Online)

• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level Science Teaching and Learning Strategies - 24 March 2023 at 10:00 - 16:00 CET (Pearson, Calle Ribera del Loira, 16-18. Madrid 28042)

• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level Science Teaching and Learning Strategies - 28 March 2023 at 09:00 - 15:00 EET (Semeli Hotel, 10 Petraki Yiallourou Str., Aigoi Omologites, 1077 Nicosia, Cyprus. Tel: +357 22 45 21 21, email: hotel@semelihotel.com.cy)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Biology (Module 1) - 06 April 2023 at 13:00 - 15:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Biology (Module 2) - 13 April 2023 at 13:00 - 15:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Physics (Module 1) - 14 March 2023 at 08:00 - 10:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International GCSE Physics (Module 2) - 22 March 2023 at 08:00 - 10:00 GMT (Online)

International A level Science Training

• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE/Advanced Level Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sciences (Part 1) - 28 March 2023 at 13:00 - 15:00 GMT (Online)

• Pearson Edexcel International GCSE/Advanced Level Teaching and Learning Strategies for Sciences (Part 2) - 29 March 2023 at 13:00 - 15:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International A Level Biology (Module 1) - 28 March 2023 at 08:00 - 10:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International A Level Biology (Module 2) - 30 March 2023 at 08:00 - 10:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International A Level Chemistry (Module 1) - 14 March 2023 at 08:00 - 10:00 GMT (Online)

• Understanding assessment and improving delivery in International A Level Chemistry (Module 2) - 16 March 2023 at 08:00 - 10:00 GMT (Online)

Please note, sometimes dates/times of events may need to change and new events may be added. Therefore do keep an eye on the Professional Development Academy pages for the most up-to-date information.

Final May/June 2023 timetables

Summer 2023 timetables are finalised and available to view on our website.

The timetables seek to maintain some of the space between the first and last exams in the same subject. This spacing was well received by schools and colleges in 2022 and reduces the chance of students missing all exams in a subject due to circumstances such as illness.

BTEC News

You can view the latest BTEC Teaching Science update on the link below which covers the following items:

• Upcoming key dates
• Teaching, Learning and Assessment 2022/23 page
• BTEC Nationals in Applied Science and Forensic and Criminal Investigation Unit 3 (31619H) assessment
• Timetables
• Accessing results information
• Grade boundaries for external assessments
• Analysing results using ResultsPlus
• BTEC learner certification
• BTEC Level 3 reform Networks for Wales and N. Ireland
• BTEC Level 3 reform in England
• Vocational Qualification Bulletins