Academic Taster WorkshopA Level STEM SubjectsStudent Booklet

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1. Quiz Firstly, have a look at these quiz questions and discuss with a partner or think about them on your own. (Answers at the end of the booklet)

Next, think about/discuss: In which subject/s do you think you might get to investigate these sorts of topic?

1. Humans have the same number of neck vertebrae as giraffes - true or false?2. Most of the dust in your home is made of human skin true or false?3. How far is the moon away from Earth?4. Where does sound travel faster; in water or air?

5. Can you lick your elbow?

6. If you go into space, do you get taller?

7. If you mix all light colours, do you get black, white or a rainbow?

8. Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable?

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2. STEM Subjects – What is it like to study STEM subjects at A Level?

On the next few pages you will find some descriptions of A Level STEM subjects. See if you can identify which STEM subject each description belongs to.

1. Write the number of each description in the grid provided below2. You should be able to find 3 descriptions belonging to each activity:

A description or definition of the subject Reasons why you might choose to study the subject at A

Level A taste of what it’s like to study the subject at A Level

Subject Description or definition of the subject

Why might you choose to study this subject?

What is it like to study this subject at A Level?

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Maths

Psychology

Computer Science

Design & Technology

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6. This is the scientific study of living things. Specialists in this subject study the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution of living organisms. They try to understand how plants, animals and other organisms work, how we evolved and the things that can make us sick or improve our health. They use this knowledge to do things like try to stop the spread of disease, track down natural resources, improve public health, animal care and conservation and work out the true impacts of things like pollution.

1. This is the area of study that focuses on planning, designing, and creating things or “products” which people use. Specialists in this area design and make anything from electronics, clothes, furniture, food, and even computer programs.

The subject is sometimes split up into the following categories: Electronics, where you use electronic materials to build interesting devices Graphics, where you learn how to use 2D and 3D modelling programs to plan and

design products Resistant materials, where you work with materials like metals, plastic or wood, and

use them to make interesting products Textiles, where you learn about different fabrics, how they are made, and ways you

can use them to create products.

7. You might choose to study this subject because:

You enjoy coming up with new ideas and can think creatively and innovatively

You enjoy a combination of theory and practical work

You have strong maths and science skills

You want to gain an insight into the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries.

3. You might choose to study this subject because:

You enjoy problem solving and using logical reasoning

You have strong mathematical skills

You enjoy thinking creatively and innovatively

You are interested in learning how computers work10. This is the study of matter, its properties, how and why substances combine or separate

to form other substances, and how substances interact with energy.

It is sometimes called “the central science” because it bridges physics with other natural sciences, such as geology and biology.

Experts in this field conduct experiments to study how elements work in different conditions, test how they mix, and work out what they are made up of right down to the tiniest particle. They use their experiments and knowledge to develop medicines, foods, fabrics and other materials, from neon lights to shatterproof glass. They also use it to understand the world around us, from why leaves change colour to discovering invisible pollutants in the air.

8. This is the study of numbers, shapes, space and measurement, and numerical systems, symbols and rules.

Studying this subject helps us find patterns and structure in our lives. It helps us put a price on things, create graphics, build websites, build skyscrapers and generally understand how things work or predict how they might change over time and under different conditions.

14. If you choose to study this subject at A Level you will look at concepts such as: forces, energy, waves, radioactivity, electricity and magnetism. You will also start to see how these ideas work together and begin to grasp the universal principles that apply to everything from the smallest atoms to the largest galaxies.

2. At A Level you can expect to study subjects such as:

Social Psychology Approaches in Psychology Issues and debates in Psychology

You will also get to do some practical research and may get the opportunity to create your own experimental project. By the end of the course you should be able to understand, analyse and form opinions on theories, and to present and communicate your knowledge in a clear way.

13. This is the scientific study of the mind and how it dictates and influences our behaviour, from communication and memory to thought and emotion. It’s about understanding what makes people tick and how this understanding can help address many of the problems and issues in society today.

You will gain knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research and ethical issues and you will learn to critically analyse evidence.

4. This is the study of how computers and computer systems work and how we can construct and program them to do what we want them to do. It’s about how computers store and process information and how humans and computers interact with each other. Specialists in this area use technology to solve problems and prepare for the future. They also write and program software to create applications. Their primary focus is to validate and develop models for interaction between people and computers or software and devices.

5. At A Level you will study topics such as: The periodic table Atomic structure Amino acids, proteins and DNA

You will also develop a variety of transferable and subject-specific skills. For example, you will:

solve problems and apply scientific knowledge in a practical way look at experimental design and evaluate scientific methods present, process and analyse data plot and interpret graphs

9. At A Level you will look at how this subject can be applied to help make sense of data, to understand the physical world and to solve problems in a variety of contexts, including social sciences and business.

You will use your skills and techniques to solve challenging problems which require you to decide on the solution strategy.

11. If you choose to study this subject at A Level you will learn how computer systems and programs work, you will learn about data representation and databases and the fundamentals of communication and networking.

You will develop your skills in designing, writing and testing programs, and learn to apply computing-related mathematics.

You will also learn to critically analyse computer problems.

15. You might choose to study this subject if:

You enjoy using your mathematical and logical skills to solve problems You have good analytical skills You are good at asking questions and challenging ideas You enjoy conducting experiments You enjoy a combination of theory and practical work

It’s also an important subject for careers in medicine, environmental science, engineering, pharmaceuticals, software development and research.

12. You might choose to study this subject because:

you have strong analytical skills you enjoy using logic to plan

projects you enjoy tackling complex scientific

or mechanical problems you enjoy drawing diagrams and

graphs to help explore problems

16. This subject is the natural science that involves the study of matter and energy. Experts in this field look for all the hidden laws that explain why all matter (that’s every physical thing) and energy in the known universe exists, where it comes from and why it behaves the way it does.

Experts in this field ask big questions such as: How did the universe begin? How will the universe change in the future?

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19. If you choose to study this subject at A level you will: use your creativity and imagination to develop and modify designs learn to identify market needs and opportunities for new products and develop design

solutions experiment, make and test your own products learn how a product can be developed through the stages of prototyping, realisation

and commercial manufacture.

You will also develop an in-depth knowledge of materials and processes needed to make products and you will learn to design and make your own products that solve real world problems. You’ll also develop your communication and presentation techniques, including drawing and sketching and report writing.

20. You might choose to study this subject if:

You’re interested in the world, plants, animals and people around you

You enjoy finding out how things work You enjoy conducting research and

carrying out experiments You enjoy problem solving You have strong mathematical and

analytical skills

You might also choose to study this subject if you’re considering a career in healthcare, medicine or jobs involving plants or animals.

17. At A Level you’ll get to study topics such as:

Cell structure DNA, genes and chromosomes Energy Transfers such as Photosynthesis and Respiration

and Evolution and Ecosystems

You’ll also gain a variety of subject-specific and transferable skills such as research, problem solving, organisation and analytical skills. You’ll learn to apply your scientific knowledge to practical activities, you will evaluate scientific evidence and interpret and present data from scientific investigations.

21. You might choose to study this subject because:

you are interested in human behaviours and motivations

you enjoy conducting research and presenting this in a clear way

you enjoy designing experiments and testing hypotheses using scientific processes

you enjoy analysing and interpreting data and statistics

you are good at critically analysing problems and forming your own opinion

16. This subject is the natural science that involves the study of matter and energy. Experts in this field look for all the hidden laws that explain why all matter (that’s every physical thing) and energy in the known universe exists, where it comes from and why it behaves the way it does.

Experts in this field ask big questions such as: How did the universe begin? How will the universe change in the future?

18. You might choose to study this subject if: You enjoy problem-solving You have good analytical skills, and you like to question and investigate other people’s

theories You enjoy maths and have good mathematical skills

You might also choose to study this subject if you are thinking of studying Physics or Engineering at university.

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3. Academic Research Activity

Choose a STEM subject you are interested in from the list below.

1. Click on the links to download a selection of resources about a specific topic for you to investigate.

2. Use the information in the resource pack to find out more about this topic.

3. Answer the questions in the pack.

EXTENSION: you can do your own additional wider research if you wish.

STEM Subject Resource Pack Links

Biology Biology Resource Pack.docx

Chemistry Chemistry Resource Pack .docx

Physics Physics Resource Pack.docx

Maths Maths Resource Pack.docx

Psychology Psychology Resource Pack.docx

Computer Science Computer Science Resource Pack.docx

Design & Technology Design & Technology Resource Pack.docx

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4. Writing up your research

Academic Word List

• This is a useful resource to help you to learn the words most needed to study at A Level and university.

• The list contains 570 words that are appear most frequently across a range of academic texts.

• The list does not include words that are in the most frequent 2000 words of English. 

List 1access adequate annual apparent

approximated attitudes attributed civil

code commitment communication concentration

conference contrast cycle debate

despite dimensions domestic emerged

error ethnic goals granted

hence hypothesis implementation

implications

imposed integration internal investigation

job label mechanism obvious

occupational option output overall

parallel parameters phase predicted

principal prior professional project

promote regime resolution retained

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series statistics status stress

subsequent sum summary undertaken

List 2academic adjustment alter amendment

aware capacity challenge clause

compounds conflict consultation contact

decline discretion draft enable

energy enforcement entities equivalent

evolution expansion exposure external

facilitate fundamental generated generation

image liberal licence logic

marginal medical mental modified

monitoring network notion objective

orientation perspective precise prime

psychology pursue ratio rejectedrevenue stability styles substitution

sustainable symbolic target transition

trend version welfare whereas

List 3

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abstract accurate acknowledged aggregate

allocation assigned attached author

bond brief capable cited

cooperative discrimination display diversity

domain edition enhanced estate

exceed expert explicit federal

fees flexibility furthermore gender

ignored incentive incidence incorporated

index inhibition initiatives input

instructions intelligence interval lecture

migration minimum ministry motivation

neutral nevertheless overseas preceding

presumption rational recovery revealedscope subsidiary tapes trace

transformation

transport underlying utility

Choose 2-3 words from the list.

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How would you use each of these words in a sentence?

1.

2.

3.

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Write a short text (around 300 words) about the topic you have been researching.

Use the answers you found in the research pack you were using during the last activity.

Select and summarise the most interesting and important points (for example, pick one thing that surprised you or one thing you learnt that you didn’t know before)

Make sure your text gives the reader/listener a clear and accurate summary of your research topic.

Editing your writing

Read your text aloud Does it make sense? Does your text give the reader/listener a clear and accurate summary of

your research topic?

Write your summary here:

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Are there any spelling/grammar mistakes that need correcting? Have you used between 5 and 10 words from the ‘Academic Word List’ Is your text no more than 300 words?

You can write your edited version below.

Quiz

answers:1. TRUE - As a rule all mammals have the same number of vertebrae in their necks regardless of whether they are a giraffe, a mouse, or a human.

2. FALSE - There’s a common misconception that it’s mostly human skin. It’s not: that mainly ends up in the bath or shower. Two thirds of the dust in your house comes from outside, as dirt tracked in on your feet, and airborne particles like pollen and soot. The rest is mostly carpet fluff, clothes fibres and pet hair.

3. The Moon is an average of 238,855 miles (384,399km) away from Earth

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4. Water - Sound travels best through solids, followed by liquids and then gases. If there is not a state of matter for sound to travel through, there is no sound.

5. No - It’s generally thought to be impossible.

6. Yes - Under zero gravity, the vertebra in the spine can expand and relax, allowing you to grow taller.

7. White - Technically adding all colours of light together is called colour addition.

8. Fruit - The confusion about 'fruit' and 'vegetable' arises because of the differences in usage between scientists and cooks. Scientifically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit. According to plant classification standards, a fruit is the part of the plant that bears seeds. Since the tomato bears seeds, it is considered the fruit of the tomato plant.

STEM subject grid answers:Subject Description or

definition of the subject

Why might you choose to study this subject?

What is it like to study this subject at A Level?

Biology 6 20 17

Chemistry 10 15 5Physics 16 18 14

Maths 8 12 9

Psychology 13 21 2Computer Science

4 3 11

Design & Technology

1 7 19