GCSE and A Level Science includes much mathematical content, it strikes me that is important for Mathematics Departments to be aware of the mathematical requirements for these qualifications and where appropriate use resources which will support Science as well as Mathematics. The GCSE subject content for science clearly shows the GCSE requirements in Appendix 3, page 49; if we are teaching Algebra, changing the subject of a formula, for example, we might as well make sure we include formulae required for GCSE Chemistry and Physics or teaching Histograms, we can be aware that it is also a requirement for GCSE Science.

AQA Teacher Training Pack – Maths in Science

From AQA one of their excellent Teacher Training packs includes Maths in Science. Included in the Activities booklet you will find examples for discussion, AQA suggest:

For each of the examples on pages 6–10 of the Activities booklet, discuss:

• approaches you could use to help students to be able to access these types of questions
• how this approach might be different in maths lessons
• whether there any other differences between the two departments.

AQA Teacher Training – Maths in Science

We also have, on pages 18-21 of the Activites booklet a very comprehensive table of Misconceptions and common errors.

Guide to Maths for Scientists – Pearson

There is plenty of material available for supporting the teaching of Mathematical Skills for Science, try the following:

On Just Maths, note this Guest Post, Maths in Science, which includes PowerPoints and worksheets from an INSET session for Mathematics and Science teachers. Also, note the Guide to Maths for Scientists from Pearson.

The excellent Teachit Maths site has been recommended before on this blog, Teachit resources are also available for other subjects including Science. The generous subscription model options, like that for Mathematics includes free membership with access to all the pdf resources. Note the Maths Skills in Science resources.

TES Resources

From TES Resources, a Maths in Science Scheme of Learning is available; this resource looks very helpful, Maths skills are shown in scientific contexts. Written as a transition unit before beginning GCSE work. The aim of the scheme was to increase the confidence of the students in the areas of maths that were common to all three sciences. The author wrote the scheme after consultation with the maths department to guide as to when and how these areas were taught in their school.

The scheme covers standard form, orders of magnitude, significant figures, shape (areas and volumes), ratios and interpreting graphs.

The GCE A Level subject content for science, clearly states the mathematical requirements in Appendix 6, pages 24-40. The assessment of quantitative skills will include at least 10% level 2 or above mathematical skills for biology and psychology, 20% for chemistry and 40% for physics, these skills will be applied in the context of the relevant science A level.

The examination boards have helpful teaching resources for each subject, looking at AQA for example:

Looking at the Chemistry website resource list, we see that The Royal Society of Chemistry provides many resources for schools; a search on Maths returns a large collection of Maths resources for Chemistry.

AQA Biology Transition Guide

AQA Physics Transition Guide

The teaching resources include a transition guide for Biology (Biology answers), Chemistry (Chemistry answers) and Physics (Physics answers) These guides include mathematical activities for students to complete.

Maths Skills Briefings for A Level Science
AQA worked with a group of schools from Camden in London to create maths skills briefings to help with teaching the specific maths skills. Each episode is intended to fill about 15-30 minutes of a lesson and includes a PowerPoint presentation, Lesson plan and Worksheet for each skill.

Similarly, OCR has very helpful teacher guides and resources. Use this search page to search for teaching resources. Choose your qualification and resources type to explore the resources, look at the handbooks for each science, several mathematical skills handbooks are available.

Biology – Student Maths Support – Pearson

Pearson too has excellent guides for both students and teachers, see their Maths Guides for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

On STEM Learning, we have Biology Resources for Home Learning which includes, for 16-19 years olds, Maths Skills for Biologists. For the resource in a convenient form with clear worked examples, download the pdf file.

Maths Skills for Biologists – STEM Learning