Critical Thinking about Science in Society

In our Advanced Science classes we do not just “teach to the test” (only study past IGCSE exam questions) but also carry out critical thinking exercises about all types of current science-in-society debates. All topics are on-the-table, which can be discussed with the scientific method evidence and logically valid arguments. Below are some of the science debate arguments we have discussed.


Critical Thinking is also important for noticing argumental fallacies by The Media, politicians, environmental groups, business organisation and yes, even scientists and scientific organisations. Often scientific investigation of popular topics is deemed “off limits”, like evidence-based skepticism (the “life blood of science”) about: global warming, species extinction, wind & solar energy & nutrition advice etc. We analyse how “offensive”; “settled science”; “majority agree” logical fallacies are used today to close down rational scientific debates.


Finally we study topics on the Frontiers of Science where new evidence is uncertain and explanations are still tentative. Like – Brain Word Map brings closer answers to – How does the brain produce the mind; Interstellar travel to our nearest star Alpha Centauri in the next few decades; Nick Lane & his 2 Domain Origin of Life theory.



See @skeptswedscient for more. It has been fun so far 

Past Papers

From January 2016 until now the advanced science class has been attempting questions from some pages of previous year’s  IGCSE chemistry, physics & biology IGCSE past exam papers. This will repare them for the start of the official IGCSE course in August 2016. We will be adhering to the new 2016-2018 IGCSE Biology, Chemistry (+update) & Physics syllabuses. Below is the biology syllabus.

          

In 2016 the names of the 3 papers for the new science syllabuses will change. For example, the Extended candidates will now take Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended), Paper 4: Theory (Extended), and either Paper 5: Practical Test or Paper 6: Alternative to Practical.

The CEI resource page has past exam papers from 2014 & the papacambridge.com website has the 2015 exams. Here you will find links to the June 2015 biology, chemistry & physics question papers (qp) & mark schemes (ms).

There are 3 papers for each science exam: For example (in June 2015), if you were taking the IGCSE Biology exam for the extended course (giving grades A* to G) then you would sit for: paper 21 – multiple choice (or 22 or 23) AND paper 31 – long answers  (or 32 or 33) AND paper 51 -practical (or 52 or 53). If you can’t do the school laboratory practical then you take the paper 61 – alternative to practical (or 62 or 63). The Mark Schemes for these Biology papers are here : 22 32 52 62. Click on the first exam pages below to see the whole exam paper –

   

 

SciFest Manganese Experiment

On 3,4 & 5 March 2016 the advanced science students at Uppsala International School carried out the Manganese Colour Chameleon Chemistry experiment for about 8700 visitors at the yearly Fysrishov Science Exhibition SciFest 2016.
     
This Magnanese Experiment showed electron orbital chemistry of a transition element.

It was fantstic fun showing science facts, science experiments & critical thinking  about science-in-society to such a wide public audience. We also promoted the planned building of our New Uppsala International School 
   

International Science Exam Studies Begin

In August 2016 Uppsala International School – Kvarngärdesskolan will begin science studies to prepare students for the internationally acclaimed IGCSE exams. The students will study for the biology, chemistry & physics exams. They will complete these exams at a Cambridge Examinations test centre in Stockholm (IT International College of Sweden).

These IGCSE exams can be a broad base to entrance into Swedish Universities as well as those in other countries. Search for country by country requirements here.