Science Tutoring in Surrey

Cells, the atomic model, light and plate tectonics. Four separate units with very little overlap, which is exactly why students revise unevenly.

• Characteristics of life
• Cell theory and types of cells
• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• The relationship of micro-organisms with living thingsbasic functions of the immune system; vaccination and antibiotics; impacts of epidemics and pandemics on human populations
• Kinetic molecular theory (KMT)
• Atomic theory and models
• Protons, neutrons, and quarks
• Electrons and leptons
• Types and effects of electromagnetic radiation
• Lightproperties; behaviours; ways of sensing
• Plate tectonic movement
• Major geological events of local significance
• First Peoples knowledge oflocal geological formations; significant local geological events
• Layers of Earth

Where marks are usually lost: Atomic theory. It is the first genuinely abstract idea in science and it underpins all of Chemistry 11.

Reproduction, the periodic table, electricity and the cycling of matter in ecosystems.

• Asexual reproductionmitosis; different forms
• Sexual reproductionmeiosis; human sexual reproduction
• Element properties as organized in the periodic table
• The arrangement of electrons determines the compounds formed by elements
• Circuits - must be complete for electrons to flow
• Voltage, current, and resistance
• Effects of solar radiation on the cycling of matter and energy
• Matter cycles within biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems
• Sustainability of systems
• First Peoples knowledge of interconnectedness and sustainability

Where marks are usually lost: Voltage, current and resistance. Circuits are the unit where students most often memorise formulas without a picture of what is happening.

The course that decides which Grade 11 science a student is ready for. Genetics, chemical reactions, energy transformations and the universe.

• DNA structure and function
• Patterns of inheritance
• Mechanisms for the diversity of lifemutation and its impact on evolution; natural selection and artificial selection
• Applied genetics and ethical considerations
• Rearrangement of atoms in chemical reactions
• Acid-base chemistry
• Law of conservation of mass
• Energy change during chemical reactions
• Practical applications and implications of chemical processes, including First Peoples knowledge
• Nuclear energy and radiation
• Law of conservation of energy
• Potential and kinetic energy
• Transformation of energy
• Local and global impacts of energy transformations from technologies
• Formation of the universebig bang theory; components of the universe over time
• Astronomical data and collection methods

Where marks are usually lost: Balancing equations and the law of conservation of mass. Chemistry 11 starts from the assumption that these are automatic.

Cells, reproduction, viruses, evolution and taxonomy. The volume of vocabulary is the real difficulty, not the concepts.

• Levels of organization
• Cell structure and function
• Sexual and asexual reproduction
• Energy transformations in cells
• Viruses
• First Peoples understandings of interrelationships between organisms
• Microevolutionadaptation to changing environments; changes in DNA; natural selection
• Macroevolutionspeciation; processes of macroevolution; evidence for macroevolution
• Artificial selection and genetic modifications
• Single-celled and multi-celled organisms
• Trends in complexity among various life forms
• Evidence for phylogenetic relationships
• Taxonomic principles for classifying organisms
• Binomial nomenclature
• First Peoples knowledge on classification
• Similarities and differences between domains and kingdoms

Where marks are usually lost: Evolution. Students can define natural selection and still not be able to explain a specific example, which is what the exam asks for.

Bonding, organic chemistry, the mole, stoichiometry and solutions. The mole is the spine of the whole course.

• Quantum mechanical model and electron configuration
• Valence electrons and Lewis structures
• Chemical bonding based on electronegativity
• Bonds/forces
• Organic compounds
• Applications of organic chemistry
• The mole
• Dimensional analysis
• Reactions
• Stoichiometric calculations using significant figures
• Local and other chemical processes
• Green chemistry
• Solubility of molecular and ionic compounds
• Stoichiometric calculations in aqueous solutions
• Analysis techniques

Where marks are usually lost: Stoichiometry. Nearly every lost mark in Chemistry 11 is a mole conversion, a limiting reagent, or significant figures.

Kinematics, forces, energy, circuits, heat and waves. The first course where a correct method with a wrong number still earns most of the marks.

• Vector and scalar quantities
• Horizontal uniform and accelerated motion
• Projectile motion
• Contact forces and the factors that affect magnitude and direction
• Mass, force of gravity, and apparent weight
• Newton\u2019s laws of motion and free-body diagrams
• Balanced and unbalanced forces in systems
• Conservation of energy; principle of work and energy
• Power and efficiency
• Simple machines and mechanical advantage
• Applications of simple machines by First Peoples
• Electric circuits (DC), Ohm\u2019s law, and Kirchhoff\u2019s laws
• Thermal equilibrium and specific heat capacity
• Generation and propagation of waves
• Properties and behaviours of waves
• Characteristics of sound
• Resonance and frequency of sound
• Graphical methods in physics

Where marks are usually lost: Free-body diagrams. Students who skip the diagram and go straight to the formula lose marks they had earned.

Geological processes, Earth materials, and the history recorded in rock.

• Properties of earth materialsminerals; igneous rocks; sedimentary rocks; metamorphic rocks; geologic resources
• Surface and internal processes of the rock cycle
• Economic and environmental implications of geologic resources within B.C. and globally
• Evidence that supports plate tectonic theory
• Factors that affect plate motion
• First Peoples knowledge of local plate tectonic settings and geologic terrains
• The hydrologic cycle
• Changes in the composition of the atmosphere due to natural and human causes
• Weather as the interaction of water, air, and energy transfer
• Solar radiation interactions and impacts on the energy budget
• Evidence of climate change
• First Peoples knowledge of climate change and interconnectedness as related to environmental systems
• Water as a unique resource
• First Peoples knowledge and perspectives of water resources and processes
• Properties of the ocean and the ocean floor
• Local and global ocean currents
• Influences of large bodies of water on local and global climates
• Effects of climate change on water sources
• The nebular hypothesis (explanation of the formation and properties of our solar system)
• Earth as a unique planet within its solar system
• Stars as the centre of a solar system
• Impacts of the Earth-moon-sun system
• Application of space technologies to the study of changes in Earth and its systems

Where marks are usually lost: Reading a cross-section and putting events in order.

Ecosystems, human impact, and the science behind environmental decisions.

• Abiotic characteristicsaquatic; atmospheric; edaphic
• Levels of biotic diversity
• Ecosystem complexityroles; relationships; population dynamics
• Energy flow through ecosystems
• Matter cycles through and between living systems
• Succession
• First Peoples knowledge and other traditional ecological knowledge in sustaining biodiversity
• Benefits of ecosystem services
• Human actions and their impact on ecosystem integrity
• First Peoples ways of knowing and doing
• Resource stewardship
• Restoration practices

Where marks are usually lost: Connecting a named human activity to a specific measurable effect.