Learning IGCSE Science at Wellington | 如何学好IGCSE科学课程

The IGCSE in-house assessments usually consist of a 45-minute end of topic unit and past paper questions related to the studied topic. During the year, it is common to have more extended mock examinations, usually sat under examination conditions. The best way to revise for any assessment is to use different revision strategies and find the best ones that work for you. For instance, some pupils prefer to write their own notes; some prefer drawing flow charts or diagrams. Long-term memory will remember the details by not simply reading but writing in different formats. Of course, pupils should look at past examination papers and learn how to read a mark scheme. It will help pupils understand the question and learn how to gain maximum marks.  

The methodology we follow in teaching science at WCIH is hands-on practical, or activity-based learning. Our pupils have state-of-the-art experiment facilities at Wellington, so they are better prepared for assessed practical work at A Level and universities. We believe that pupils learn more by experiencing and carrying out scientific experiments by themselves. Because of how we teach at WCIH, pupils acquire teamwork and communication skills. 

We have also invited renowned guest speakers to deliver inspiring speeches for our pupils. Last semester, we invited Dr. Cristiano Alpigiani to pay a virtual visit to our Year 9 pupils, a great opportunity to learn about the Large Hadron Collider, meet an established scientist and build upon their existing knowledge in learning science. We look forward to having more real-life scientists to inspire our young scientists. 

Pupils make mistakes in assessments by not reading the question carefully. They think they understand what the question has asked and answer too quickly without realising they are on the wrong path. Pupils often do not know the command words of each question and what they mean. It is something that needs to be taught over a period of time. In some questions, there are some ‘hidden’ clues in the text that pupils can overlook.  

To succeed in science, pupils must read more and discuss science using the correct terminology. If they can master this, scientific words will become part of their everyday conversations. 

The best strategy to memorise words is first to understand what these words mean in the correct context. Once they know the word’s meaning, it can be used as part of their spoken language and will be easier to memorise. Because some words stem from Latin, you can work out what they mean by learning the prefix. For instance, in science, the prefix photo means light hence the words photographs, photosynthesis, photocell and photocopier.  

Physics is a gateway subject and can lead to a host of careers in a whole range of industries, such as engineering, IT, the internet, and the energy industries. In addition, biology and chemistry can lead to jobs which are just as diverse such as healthcare, medicine, and pharmaceuticals, to name just a few. 

Like everything, motivation is the one factor that needs to be maintained as the IGCSE is a three-year course. Success might not come easy during this time, but it is essential to be resilient and not give up. Always maintain a positive mindset and realise that everyone learns from mistakes. Enjoy the pursuit of gaining more scientific knowledge. Pupils need to develop a sense of passion towards the subject and persevere towards the long-term goal of achieving their best grades. Grit is not something you are born with; you don’t learn it in a classroom. However, it will define you as a person as you get older. 

IGCSE科学学科的课上考核通常是45分钟的单元末小测和学科相关的真题解答。学年中，我们会开展一些拓展模拟测试，让学生熟悉真正的考试环境。考前复习有许多通用的技巧，即采用不同的复习策略，找到最适合自己的方法，坚持复习。例如，有的学生喜欢记笔记，有的喜欢画流程图或示意图。保留在长期记忆中的不是单纯读到的知识点，而是用不同方式写下来的细节。当然，学生还要从以往真题中汲取经验，看懂评分机制，理解问题背后的逻辑，掌握拿高分的技巧。

在惠灵顿，我们采取的是实操型的教学方法，即基于活动的教学法。学校配备先进的实验设施，能让学生为后续A Level学习和大学阶段的实践操作夯实基础。我们相信，学生能在亲手做科学实验的过程中学到更多。这种教学方法还能培养学生的团队协作能力和沟通技能。

我们还会邀请知名客座嘉宾来为学生开展讲座。上学期，我们邀请科学家Cristiano Alpigiani博士与九年级学生开展了一场连线活动。活动中，同学们得以了解大型强子对撞机、结识颇有建树的知名科学家、拓展以往所学。期待着未来能有更多的科学家来为惠灵顿的年轻科学家带来启迪。

学生不仔细读题时就会出错。读题不认真、急于答题，犯错就在所难免。同学们常常不明白问题里的指令词和意义，这时就要认真地学习一段时间，明确问题的含义。有些问题的措词里含有“隐藏”线索，这也是学生容易忽略的。

要学好科学，学生必须要多读、多用正确的科学术语开展讨论。一旦熟练掌握后，术语就能成为日常对话中的一部分。

记忆术语的最佳策略是要先理解这些单词在正确语境中的含义。先理解好，再多说几遍，就能记住了。有些术语词源于拉丁语，那么学会单词前缀就能分析出单词的意义。例如，在科学领域，前缀“photo”的意思是“光”，于是“照片、光合作用、光电池、复印机”等带这一词缀的单词（photographs, photosynthesis, photocell, photocopier）就比较好理解了。

物理学是一门包罗万象的学科，学习物理后可以从事工程、信息技术、互联网、能源等行业的多种职业；生物和化学学习也能敲开五花八门的职业大门，如保健、医疗、制药等等。

其实做很多事情都离不开求知的动力。要学好持续三年的IGCSE科学课程也是一样。成功从来都不是一件容易的事情，所以我们要有披荆斩棘的毅力和不轻言放弃的信心；要有积极向上的思维，相信“失败乃成功之母”；还要享受追求科学知识的快乐，培养起对科学学科的热爱，持之以恒地争取在考试中取得最好的表现。勇气不是与生俱来的，无法在教室里习得；但随着年岁的增长，它将成为让人脱颖而出的珍贵品质。