Project Qualifications
Practising Science mainly targets the Level 2 HPQ qualification, equivalent to half a GCSE based on student project work. It encourages students to carry out an enquiry into a topic of interest, with guidance from a teacher. It's an ideal vehicle for fostering independent learning and critical thinking skills, which are so important for higher education and jobs.
Some students may able to progress beyond HPQ and reach the Level 3 standard of EPQ for their year 2 projects - see EPQ option.
And for a few students, it may be more appropriate to aim their project at Level 1 FPQ.
The HPQ is recommended to take 60 guided learning hours, and consists of a teaching element to equip students with the skills which they then put to use in their project work to:
- Select an area of interest and draft a title and aims
- Plan, research, and execute their project
- Produce a product - report, or artefact, or presentation
- Provide evidence of the project development and product
Science-Based HPQ
Practising Science course is structured around the two parts of the HPQ qualifications: the teaching element and the projects element.
The teaching element lasts around 20 hours per year and focuses on training students in science and engineering practices, to prepare them with the skills necessary to manage and execute a project effectively.
The project element, which takes around 40 hours per year, involves an extended investigation where students have a high degree of autonomy and decision-making in their method and solution. If students are doing a science project, they will likely produce a written report. If it's engineering project, they may produce a prototype as their final product.
Practising Science adapts Pearson's HPQ framework to create a course in scientific inquiry, plus an intrduction to engineering design. It aims to develop students into thinking and acting like 'junior' scientists and engineers, so they are able to carry out a high-quality investigative project. Schools can also choose to follow AQA's HPR framework, which is similar to Pearson's.
Although HPQ is typically done as an internet-based essay project, the awarding bodies note that the qualification is ideally suited to science and engineering projects:
- Using primary data often results in higher marks
- students may by mentored by a STEM professional, enhancing careers awareness
- experimentation and problem-solving improve long-term interest and science identity
Students will choose one of these project types:
- Discovery project (science): hypothesis, research review, experiment design, data collection (primary or secondary), analysis, and report.
- Design Project (engineering): problem definition, research followed by prototype development, testing and evaluation
Links to Pearson HPQ website
Teacher's guide to HPQ with official information about course structure and delivery, evidence requirements, moderation and project forms.
Student guide to HPQ to show students what's involved and encourage them to take a Project Qualification.
Learn more
Project-Based Science GCSE Course design and benefits
Project Qualifications Qualification requirements and assessment
Teaching Element Scheme of work, pedagogy and resources
Projects Element Ready-to-go projects in science and engineering
Launch your course Support for pilot schools and how to apply