The document provides information about the science program of study at St. Catherine Academy. It outlines two academic science options, the courses included in each, and prerequisites. It describes the purpose and assessment criteria for School Based Assessments, which contribute 20% to the overall CXC exam grade. Finally, it shares the science department's strong performance on CXC exams from 2003-2009 and highlights of individual student achievements.

1. St. Catherine Academy Program of Study- Academic Science Why SBA?
Option I Biology, Chemistry, Physics • SBA is an integral part of a student’s assessment
Option II Chemistry, Biology/Physics, POB/Economics • Allows students to obtain marks from the competencies
Pre-requisites: they develop and demonstrate in their SBA assignments
Grades: • These marks contribute to the final marks and grades
80% average in: awarded to students in the examination
 Integrated Science • SBA provides an opportunity to individualize a part of the
 Math curriculum to meet needs of students
 English Language • Facilitates feedback at various stages of their experience
 English Literature • Helps build self confidence of students as they proceed in
Teacher Recommendations their studies.
Science Department • Facilitates the development of essential investigative and
Factsheet for incoming 3rd Year students practical skills
Program Overview Course Activities
Why Science?  Lectures: 3 Lecture sessions per week SBA Practical Skills Assessed:
Science allows us to acquire a view of the world which (6 per cycle) Observation/Recording/Reporting (ORR)
complements and contrasts with other perspectives of  Practicals: 1 Lab session per week Measurement/Manipulation (M/M)
the world. (2 per cycle) Drawing (DRW) [Biology only]
A good scientific foundation will help citizens of the  School Based Assessment (SBA) Analysis and Interpretation (AI)
Caribbean to respond to the challenges of a rapidly  Ongoing Planning/Designing (P/D)
changing society and contribute to its enrichment.  10 assessments per year (min. 20
The application of scientific principles is of prime for 2 years) SBA Notes
importance in identifying, assessing and realizing the • Minimum total of 18 graded assessments/practicals
potential of the resources of the various Caribbean • Assessments begin in Year 3
territories. What is School Based Assessment (SBA) • Lab Manual (preferably hard-covered) required for
It is also beneficial to the ordinary citizen for everyday • Formative Assessment practical assessments
living. • School Based • Year 3 grades due Oct (Sem I) Year 4
• Grading criteria set by school using CXC guidelines • Year 4 grades due March/April (Sem II) Year 4
People love • Series of assessed practical activities
to wonder, • Contributes a 20% of overall CXC exam grade
• Criteria based Discovery
and that… • Moderated by CXC via samples submitted in May Year 4 consists of seeing
what everybody
is the has seen and
seed of thinking what
science. nobody thought

2. Program of Study- Science Department Faculty SCA Science Department Performance 2003-2009 (% Passes)
General Studies Human and Social Biology Mrs. Alderita Marin CXC Asst. Examiner
Academic Business Human and Social Biology Human & Social Biology Subject 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
HOD-Math Department
Human and Social Biology Option
Relatively new option (6th year) Mr. Jude Lizama CXC Asst. Examiner
Biology 100 100 97 94 90 100 95
Study of Biology with emphasis on the HUMAN BODY and Biology SBA
SOCIAL issues. HOD-Science Department Physics 100 100 97 96 67 96 100
Good foundation for Nursing Career
NO SBA….yet! Mrs. Patricia Andrewin CXC Asst. Chief Examiner Chemistry 96 94 77 90 95 100 98
Strong CXC Passes (90% +) Chemistry
Integrated 100 100 100 100 --- 100 100
Science
Students in the Academic Science option do not take this subject Mr. Reginald Rodriguez CXC Examiner (Table Leader)
as a course but are prepared for the exam by the addition of Chemistry Human and --- --- 98 100 92 100 100
Social
additional material in their Biology course. HOD-Science Department Biology
Challenges of Courses/Subjects Mr. Glenford Dawson Physics Noteworthy 2009 Science Department accomplishment
CXC Physics Resource Facilitator
Syllabus Coverage SCA Science student Virginia Hsu won the Belize Individual Subject
SBA Labs Ms. Shawn Gonzales Biology Award for Science for her stellar performance in Biology, Human and
Human and Social Biology Social Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Expectation of Students
Dedication
Persistence The Universe
Discipline is full of
Hard Work magical things
Extra Work
patiently
Course requirements; waiting for
1. Textbooks/Resources: our wits to
As listed in Year 3 Booklist
go sharper
2. Syllabus for each Science subject
3. Lab manual for each Science subject