Choosing Science Options in Secondary IV and V
Secondary III is a very important year for your high schooler, as the courses they choose will play a decisive role in their future studies. To help them through the decision-making process, here’s what you need to know about their science course options.
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Secondary IV Science Options
Science and Technology (ST) and Applied Science and Technology (AST) are compulsory science courses in Secondary III and IV. In Secondary IV, students with a strong interest in science can choose to add the SE or EST to their course load.
Be careful!
If your child doesn’t want to pursue further studies in science, they can simply take the core ST and AST courses in Secondary III and IV.
1- Science and the Environment (SE)
The SE course, which is part of the scientific track, helps students develop their critical thinking skills and consolidate their scientific and technological knowledge.
To find out if SE is right for your child, ask them to rate their interest for related topics on a scale of 1 to 10:
- Chemistry
- Environmental conservation
- Geology
- Etc.
2- Environmental Science and Technology (EST)
The EST course, also part of the scientific track, is aimed at students who are interested in the following:
- Solving scientific problems
- Technology
- Laboratory work
- Pursuing a career in a scientific field
- Etc.
Be careful!
SE and EST are prerequisites for the chemistry and physics courses.
Keep in mind that some schools don’t offer all the optional science courses. It’s a good idea to speak with your child’s school guidance counsellor for more information.
What’s the Difference Between these Two Profiles?
At first glance, the SE and EST profiles look very similar. They do share about 60 percent of their course material and focus on developing the same skills. Plus, they both address environmental issues.
The main difference between the two is their approach to those issues. The SE option teaches students to view them from a scientific perspective and to solve problems in the lab. The EST option, on the other hand, while still involving lab work, teaches students to address environmental issues from a technological perspective.
To learn more about the science courses available to your child, check out our overview in our virtual library.
How to Help Your Child Make the Right Choice
Friendships are incredibly important during adolescence, and that’s understandable. However, your teen shouldn’t choose their courses based on the opinions or decisions of their friends. To help them figure out which option is best for them, try asking them the following questions:
- What’s your dream job?
- Do you enjoy helping people?
- Do you like finding solutions to problems?
- Do you prefer science or technology?
- What branch of science are you passionate about?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Etc.
Secondary V Science Options
At the end of their SE or EST course, students can choose from the following Secondary V science options:
- Chemistry: Teaches students about the composition of elements, chemical reactions, and the properties of matter.
- Physics: Teaches students about the properties of matter and space-time through experiments and concept development.
Opening Doors
It’s sometimes tempting to make choices solely because you think they will open doors. However, if your teen has little interest in science, this type of decision-making could lead to a loss of motivation, a drop in academic performance, or even rejection from a limited-enrollment CEGEP program.
Important Resources
To help your child make the decision that’s best for them, consider seeking advice from the following professionals:
- Their school guidance counsellor
- Their science teachers
- Their school principal
- Etc.
Collaborators
Writing : The Alloprof Parents' Team