Science is a general term used to cover three main disciplines studied at Caldicott: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Biology is the study of living things and life processes; Chemistry is the study of the elements and the compounds they form and the reactions they undergo; and Physics is the study of the properties and interactions of matter and energy.

Together the learning of these subjects helps to form a comprehensive understanding of how things work in the world around us, and build an essential understanding of our existence, our lifestyles and how we interact with this world.

All boys study Science in two purpose-built laboratories throughout their time art Caldicott.

• To foster in all the boys an interest in and awareness of Science.
• To develop the understanding that Science is as much a way of seeing the world around us, and a method of trying to understand it, as it is a body of existing knowledge.
• To prepare the boys to pass the Common Entrance or Scholarship examinations as appropriate to their ability.
• To present the boys with opportunities to carry out practical Science investigations so that they may develop their ability within the subject and learn the experimental approach necessary to lead to the discovery of information.

Just a few of the Special Events in a typical year:

Autumn Term - visit of Mrs S Martin, Head of Physics at Eton. She gave a superb presentation on the development of the jet engine. Her own personal experiences of working as an engineer for British Aerospace ensured that there were many interesting anecdotes including what happens when a frozen chicken, as opposed to a 'fresh' one, is blasted at a plane to simulate a bird strike!

Spring Term - visit of Dr Williams, Head of Science at St Edward's, Oxford. He chose the potentially difficult subject of genetics but his excellent lecture was thoroughly enjoyed by the sixth form and there was a heated debate at the end over the morality of genetic engineering.
Also, during this term, to celebrate Caldicott's centenary (as well as 100 years of Science at the school) the Department helped by Alex Goddard, fully revised, updated and expanded the Science Intranet site. Boys can access this from any computer in the school. The CE programme of study for the fourth, fifth and sixth forms are now available there together with syllabus-specific Internet links, Science animations, thirty Science Powerpoint presentations, a gallery of pictures, and details of the inaugural Science Competition as well as all the entries.

Summer Term - This year saw the introduction of the new Caldicott Science Shield. Boys chose an invention or discovery that had had the greatest impact on Caldicott and its community over the past 100 years. Professor Peters kindly agreed to judge the entries. He decided that W Kay's explanation of how the aeroplane ('invented' in the same year that our school was founded) had affected the school was the best entry and he was awarded the Science Shield on Speech Day.

OUTLINE OF THE SCIENCE SYLLABUS

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Boys are taught Science from the First Form. Chemistry is taught in the Winter term, Physics in the Spring term and Biology in the Summer term.

Boys are introduced to a full range of scientific concepts in their first three years, and the topics that they are taught often mirror what the Senior School boys are taught but at a more basic level. Experimental and practical work is carried out wherever possible, in the Labs.

Boys in the First and Second Forms get two lessons per week, and the Third Forms get three.

SENIOR SCHOOL

In the Fourth Forms there are four periods weekly, five in the Fifth Forms, and the Sixth Forms get six Science lessons each week.

Senior boys can access a more detailed version of the programme of study (outlined below) on the school Science Intranet site. They can print out the Science programme of study for the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Forms (as a Word document) and use it as a revision check-list for exams.

FOURTH FORM

CHEMISTRY

Solids, liquids and gases
Separating mixtures
Physical changes
Elements, compounds and mixtures

PHYSICS

Circuits
Magnetic fields and electromagnets
The earth and beyond

BIOLOGY

Cells and cell functions
Humans as organisms

FIFTH FORM

CHEMISTRY

Elements, compounds and mixtures
Chemical reactions
Limestone
Solids, liquids and gases

PHYSICS

Forces and motion
The behaviour of light and sound

BIOLOGY

Green plants
Variation, classification, inheritance
Living things in their environment

SIXTH FORM

CHEMISTRY

Chemical reactions
Metals
Acids and bases

PHYSICS

Energy resources and energy transfer

BIOLOGY

Reproduction
Revision

Revision and preparation for their Common Entrance or Scholarship examinations is followed by project work