A2 Agriculture and food: module summary
All six Applied Science modules explore science used in real workplaces, from the viewpoint of practitioners.
The Agriculture and food module provides an insight into three vocational areas:
• farming, horticulture, and garden centres
• the food and drinks industry including dairy products, baking, and brewing
• the work of people involved in monitoring and regulating the ‘food chain’ to protect the health and welfare of people, animals, and the environment.
Agriculture and food builds on the science of the environment and human health covered in the GCSE Science course, especially
B1 You and your genes
B2 Keeping healthy
P2 Radiation and life
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
The module will come across to students as more
authentic if you are able to organise either trips out to organisations that are involved in farming, horticulture, food processing, and food retailing, or to set up visits to the class by practitioners. See also the Applied Science videos.
