Cambridge Secondary (7-9). Stage 7. MCE Science. Student Book - Unit 1: Introducing Science

We all use electricity every day. Our ability to produce electricity is all down to science. What electrical devices do you depend on?

We also use thousands of different materials every day. Some are natural (e.g. wood, cotton) but many are synthetic and have been developed by scientists to have useful properties. Can you name some synthetic materials you use?

Another important aspect of our lives is transport. All the different types of mechanical transport you use have been developed by science. What transport do you use?

Unfortunately, the demand for electricity, materials and transport has damaged the Earth. Global warming (the increase in the average temperature of the Earth) is causing climate change.

Do you think science can help reduce the problems created by electricity generation, transport and the production of materials? Why do you think this?

A builder needs to know how to mix cement, stones, sand and water to make strong concrete. If the mix is not correct, the concrete will be weak. The building could collapse. The knowledge of science is important for a builder. In what other ways is the knowledge of science important to us?

Work in pairs. Look at the pictures in Figure 1.1. Discuss how each picture relates to science.

What makes a fire hot?

Work in pairs. Look at the pictures in Figure 1.1. Discuss how each picture relates to science.

Why can a cat jump?

Work in pairs. Look at the pictures in Figure 1.1. Discuss how each picture relates to science.

Why can a hot air balloon float in the air?

Do you think these phenomena can be explained by science?

The phenomena are a hot fire, a cat jumping and hot air balloons floating in the air.

Choose any two scientists from Table 1.1. Explain how each of their work relied on the work of an earlier scientist.

Table 1.1 Scientists who made contributions to medical science

| Scientist | One contribution |
|---|---|
| Hypatia of Alexandria (370–415), Greek | She invented a way to measure density of liquids, including blood and urine. |
| Ibn Sina (980–1037), Persian | He established the idea of collecting evidence to see if medical treatments work. |
| Marie Curie (1867–1934), Polish | Her work on radioactivity led to the development of X-rays and cancer treatments. |
| Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958), British | Her work using X-rays transformed our knowledge of DNA. |
| Har Gobind Khorana (1922–2011), Indian-American | He helped work out how the body uses DNA. |
| Feng Zhang (born 1981), Chinese-American | He helped to work out how certain diseases can be treated by changing a person’s DNA. |

What does it mean to study science?

Why is it important to study science?

Name four different areas of study in science.

Name four people who contributed to our knowledge of science.

Have you ever grown your own plants? If so, did you notice that young plants need more water on hot days?

Young plants need more water on hot days. Why is this so?

How can this information be helpful to farmers or gardeners?

Young plants need more water on hot days.

Look at the list of attitudes in Table 1.2. Read the questions to a partner.

Which good attitudes do you have?

| Attitude | I know I have this attitude if... |
|---|---|
| Curiosity | I like to know about things and find out how they work. |
| Perseverance | I am willing to work hard. I do not give up easily, even when things get difficult. |
| Open-mindedness | I know that other students may have different ideas from my own. I am willing to listen to their ideas. |
| Being co-operative | I can work well with others in my team. |
| Flexibility | I am willing to change my plans or ideas if I see that something can be done in a better way. |
| Being objective and fair | I know that something might be correct, even if I do not like it myself. |
| Healthy scepticism | I ask a lot of questions. I do not always accept that everything I read or hear is correct. |
| Integrity | I am truthful and I do not cheat with my results. |

Look at the list of attitudes in Table 1.2. Read the questions to a partner.

Which ones do you think you need to improve on?

| Attitude | I know I have this attitude if... |
|---|---|
| Curiosity | I like to know about things and find out how they work. |
| Perseverance | I am willing to work hard. I do not give up easily, even when things get difficult. |
| Open-mindedness | I know that other students may have different ideas from my own. I am willing to listen to their ideas. |
| Being co-operative | I can work well with others in my team. |
| Flexibility | I am willing to change my plans or ideas if I see that something can be done in a better way. |
| Being objective and fair | I know that something might be correct, even if I do not like it myself. |
| Healthy scepticism | I ask a lot of questions. I do not always accept that everything I read or hear is correct. |
| Integrity | I am truthful and I do not cheat with my results. |

Draw a table. Write the attitudes in the left column. Tick (✓) the ones you are good at.

| Attitude | I know I have this attitude if... |
|---|---|
| Curiosity | I like to know about things and find out how they work. |
| Perseverance | I am willing to work hard. I do not give up easily, even when things get difficult. |
| Open-mindedness | I know that other students may have different ideas from my own. I am willing to listen to their ideas. |
| Being co-operative | I can work well with others in my team. |
| Flexibility | I am willing to change my plans or ideas if I see that something can be done in a better way. |
| Being objective and fair | I know that something might be correct, even if I do not like it myself. |
| Healthy scepticism | I ask a lot of questions. I do not always accept that everything I read or hear is correct. |
| Integrity | I am truthful and I do not cheat with my results. |