A1 Life care: module summary
All six Applied Science modules explore science used in real workplaces, from the viewpoint of practitioners. The Life care module provides an insight into three vocational areas:
• fitness training
• hospital care (both emergency and ward care)
• antenatal care.
The close connections with everyday life will appeal to many students.
Life care builds on the science of human health covered in the GCSE Science course, especially
B1 You and your genes
B2 Keeping healthy
B3 Life on Earth
C3 Food matters
All six Applied Science modules have in common the five features which we think characterise applied science. The nature of the assessment for the course follows from these features.
1 A cluster of related contexts in which people apply science in their work – but with freedom to adapt to local circumstances
2 Authentic procedures and techniques (adapted as necessary for school laboratories) – ‘where the results matter’
3 Underpinning knowledge, including some big ideas of potential value for progression
4 The framework within which people apply science
• organisations
• employers
• regulators including health and safety
• social context including values
5 Applying knowledge and techniques to solve a practical problem
There are likely to be health and fitness services in every school’s locality. The module will come across to students as more authentic if the school is able to organise either visit(s) to organisations offering life care, or classroom visits by practitioners. See also the Applied Science videos.
