Biology Scholarship

How to use this site for Scholarship

At the bottom of each L3 Topic I will be starting to add relevant readings. If you scroll down you should see them attached. Read the text below to get a basic understanding of what the examiner is looking for. I have attached an excellent Powerpoint at the bottom of this page from Alison Campbell from Waikato University. Also make sure you go to the bio-blog of hers and read as many articles and discussion pieces as you can. They will all help with your critical thinking skills.

Key links

NZQA's Scholarship info page.

Previous Scholarship exams and mark schedules can be found here.

Scholarship criteria (modified from an Dr Alison Campbell presentation)

The student will use biological knowledge and skills to analyse biological situations and integrate ideas into a coherent response. For “outstanding performance”, the student will demonstrate perception and insight in the analysis and integration.

(Biology Scholarship standard, Ministry of Education)

Scholarship students are expected to demonstrate high level critical thinking, abstraction and generalisation, and to integrate, synthesise and apply knowledge, skills, understanding and ideas to complex situations.

(Scholarship Performance Reference Group)

Key ideas of Scholarship

Critical thinking means seeking reliable knowledge. Many students fail to assess the reliability of information to which they are exposed in everyday life, let alone pursue the dissection of scientific literature. And many people are deceived and defrauded by pseudoscience. Practice in critical thinking prompts thoughtful examination of the role of science in society.

Key points looked at during the assessment

Analysis and critical thinking involves considering the biological evidence and integration, synthesis and application of highly developed knowledge, skills and making well reasoned, justified judgements.

Understanding to complex situations involves selecting, organising and applying relevant biological concepts to develop reasoned responses to a wide range of biological contexts.

Logical development, precision and clarity of ideas involves organising relevant evidence into a coherent answer presented as a well written discussion using

• perception and insight involves using independent thought drawing from both the

• sophisticated integration and abstraction involves planning, processing, discussion.

Independent reflection and extrapolation involves identification and analysis of information from both material provided and beyond to make an informed biological terms appropriately.

Biological material provided and beyond to provide an in-depth response. linking, and applying relevant biological concepts to present a comprehensive judgement about a biological context with consideration of possible consequences.

convincing communication involves planning and presenting a fully integrated, fluent, coherent, relevant discussion.

Online readings

http://www.pinterest.com/rickallan/human-evolution/

https://www.pinterest.com/tonycairns/biology-scholarship/

Critical thinking

Biology Scholarship Reading

List (author unknown)

Online Readings - Tony Cairns has produced an excellent list of online resources suitable for schol students. It can be found here.