Resources - Archived Materials

Section Three: Recommendations-New Curriculum Directions

3.10 Curriculum/curriculum models from current Ontario guidelines and/or other jurisdictions that may be considered for adaptation

We have considered the science models used in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Atlantic Canada. In Alberta, the goal for all students is to achieve science literacy through an emphasis on the interactions among science, technology, and society (STS). A minimum of three science courses (fifteen credits) is required for an Advanced high School Diploma. The 10, 20, 30 program provides a well-rounded science education for students who choose to take the minimum science credits required for a diploma. The STS approach offers a more balanced science education.

The Alberta model (Figure 2) provides the same eight major courses that Ontario presently offers for students heading to postsecondary studies: Science 9, Science 10, Biology 20 (Grade 11), Chemistry 20 (Grade 11), Physics 20 (Grade 11), Biology 30 (Grade 12), Chemistry 30 (Grade 12), and Physics 30 (Grade 12). It also offers an integrated science model, Science 20 (Grade 11) and Science 30 (Grade 12), for students headed to postsecondary non-science destinations; Science 14 (Grade 10) and Science 24 (Grade 11) for students heading into the workplace immediately after graduation; and Science 16 (Grade 10) and Science 26 (Grade 11) for students enrolled in the integrated occupational program.

The models from the other provinces studied were similar to Alberta's model. We liked the fact that the Alberta model offers an integrated Grades 11 and 12 science course that encourages all students to take science through Grade 12. However, students heading for specific postsecondary science-related destinations should have more choice in selecting and sequencing their studies in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science than is possible in the Alberta model.