More than 54,000 Junior Cert science students geared up for a morning of critical inquiry and the scientific method. About half of them marched back into the exam hall in the afternoon to explore more mystical and esoteric concepts in religious education.
Jane Craig Elliott, religion teacher at St Patrick's College in Cavan, said religion students and teachers have always grappled with the scientific and religious views of the world but reconcile them by showing how, for instance, evolution is not incompatible with a concept of God.
The biggest challenge was science. Mary Mullaghy, ASTI subject representative, and a teacher at Eureka Secondary School in Kells, Co Meath, said higher-level science seemed to reward students who carried out the experimental work.
“There were good cross-curricular links with maths, especially in the physics question on the volume of a cylinder.
“The various graphs in questions Q8 and Q9 required good understanding of the curriculum. Current topical issues in society appeared, such as water treatment. In general the paper required a good understanding of core concepts.”
Comments taken on board Comments from teachers, submitted by the Irish Science Teachers’ Association, were taken on board, such as directing students to the particular page of the tables booklet to access the correct formulae, she said.
The ordinary-level science paper seemed in line with previous years, she said.
On the religion paper, Ms Elliott said there were some challenging questions on the paper, but it was broadly fair and accessible.
One question which required students to write about two comparative religions may have thrown some, as the syllabus requires study of only one additional religion, she said.
Try this at home: At sea level an egg will be fully cooked when placed in boiling water for three minutes. At higher altitudes an egg needs to be in boiling water for six minutes before it is fully cooked. Explain this phenomenon. (From Junior Cert science, higher level)
Examine the role that trust can play in the development of a person’s faith. (Religion, higher level)
