Science
The specification for junior cycle science focuses on the development of students’ knowledge of and about science through the unifying strand , Nature of science, and the four contextual strands:
Physical world, Chemical world, Biological world, and Earth and space.
It has been designed for a minimum of 200 hours of timetabled student engagement across the three years of junior cycle.
To give further emphasis to the integrated nature of learning science, the outcomes for each of the contextual strands are grouped by reference to four elements :
Building blocks, Systems and interactions, Energy, and Sustainability.
Physical world, Chemical world, Biological world, and Earth and space.
It has been designed for a minimum of 200 hours of timetabled student engagement across the three years of junior cycle.
To give further emphasis to the integrated nature of learning science, the outcomes for each of the contextual strands are grouped by reference to four elements :
Building blocks, Systems and interactions, Energy, and Sustainability.
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Within each strand , content areas and skills have been selected that all students should engage with while maintaining a balance between depth and breadth.
BT Young Scientist
Portumna Community School has a proud tradition of participation in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition with plenty of success over the years.
BTYSTE 2020
Second year PCS students, Senan Harris, Michael Duggan, and Liam O Sullivan took part in the BT Young Scientist competition in January 2020. Their entry titled, A Comparative Study on The Effects Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Carbo) Populations Have on The Botanical Composition of Three Islands on Lough Derg received a lot of attention from the judging panel over the three days. They compared the plant life (botanical composition) on Cormorant inhabited islands to neighbouring uninhabited islands. Over the summer months they carried out soil tests on the three islands and sent them away for chemical analysis. They also completed a quadrat survey to determine what plants were present on each island. They received huge help from BirdWatch Ireland, Professor Dara Fitzpatrick (UCC) and their teacher Mr. Leo Smith during their project development.
Portumna Community School Transition Year students Stephen Donelan, Caoimhe Callan and Sienna Fahey's project titled "To Investigate if teenagers aged 13-17 are falsely identified by adults as having a lack of general knowledge" qualified in the Social and Behavioural Sciences category. They sought to identify if students had a higher level of general knowledge than perceived by the general public. 150 students from age range 13-17 were tested on their general knowledge. A survey was then given to adults ranging from 20 to 70+ and they were asked what they thought the students would score.
The general knowledge results were compared with the results of the adult survey. After the analysis, it was found that the students had a higher level of general knowledge than perceived by the general public. The project disproved a prejudice which the students felt was out there in relation to their generation. A special word of thanks to their teacher Mr. Enright.
BTYSTE 2020
Second year PCS students, Senan Harris, Michael Duggan, and Liam O Sullivan took part in the BT Young Scientist competition in January 2020. Their entry titled, A Comparative Study on The Effects Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Carbo) Populations Have on The Botanical Composition of Three Islands on Lough Derg received a lot of attention from the judging panel over the three days. They compared the plant life (botanical composition) on Cormorant inhabited islands to neighbouring uninhabited islands. Over the summer months they carried out soil tests on the three islands and sent them away for chemical analysis. They also completed a quadrat survey to determine what plants were present on each island. They received huge help from BirdWatch Ireland, Professor Dara Fitzpatrick (UCC) and their teacher Mr. Leo Smith during their project development.
Portumna Community School Transition Year students Stephen Donelan, Caoimhe Callan and Sienna Fahey's project titled "To Investigate if teenagers aged 13-17 are falsely identified by adults as having a lack of general knowledge" qualified in the Social and Behavioural Sciences category. They sought to identify if students had a higher level of general knowledge than perceived by the general public. 150 students from age range 13-17 were tested on their general knowledge. A survey was then given to adults ranging from 20 to 70+ and they were asked what they thought the students would score.
The general knowledge results were compared with the results of the adult survey. After the analysis, it was found that the students had a higher level of general knowledge than perceived by the general public. The project disproved a prejudice which the students felt was out there in relation to their generation. A special word of thanks to their teacher Mr. Enright.
Science Week 2019
Portumna Community School Students join the fight against Climate Change
Portumna Community School Science students succeeded in engaging the entire school community in Science Week 2019 from incredible displays of model plant and animal cells by our very talented 1st years to colourful posters with the theme "Tough Truths about Plastic Pollution" designed by 2nd year students.
2nd year and TY students attended a lecture on "Environment and Plastic Reduction" by Ann Marie Mahon a local Marine Biologist specialising in micro plastics. This was particularly relevant as it is linked to our World Wise Global Schools Project.
Meanwhile, at the first-ever Youth Assembly on Climate, hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas in Dublin, Fiona Lohan and Sean Power sat in the seats of their TDs to focus and debate on climate disruption’s growing impact on environment, economics, food and farming, energy and education.
Stephen Donelan represented PCS at a Climate Change Conference at Banagher College on Friday evening giving his views on Climate Change ad 6th Year students Stephen Conroy, Kyle Campbell, Aonraoi Mullen attended the ISTA Senior Science Quiz in GMIT.
An incredible week, well done to the Science Department Ms. Kenny, Mr. Enright, Mr. Smith and Ms. Donohue.
2nd year and TY students attended a lecture on "Environment and Plastic Reduction" by Ann Marie Mahon a local Marine Biologist specialising in micro plastics. This was particularly relevant as it is linked to our World Wise Global Schools Project.
Meanwhile, at the first-ever Youth Assembly on Climate, hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas in Dublin, Fiona Lohan and Sean Power sat in the seats of their TDs to focus and debate on climate disruption’s growing impact on environment, economics, food and farming, energy and education.
Stephen Donelan represented PCS at a Climate Change Conference at Banagher College on Friday evening giving his views on Climate Change ad 6th Year students Stephen Conroy, Kyle Campbell, Aonraoi Mullen attended the ISTA Senior Science Quiz in GMIT.
An incredible week, well done to the Science Department Ms. Kenny, Mr. Enright, Mr. Smith and Ms. Donohue.
