Science Short Course
About this course
What is the Science Short Course?
The ASDAN Science Short Course is a flexible, portfolio-based science course for learners aged 13 and over. It accredits between 10 and 60 hours of practical science activities and skills development.
Developed in association with the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University, the course supports learners to explore human biology, forces and motion, chemical change, biological challenges, space physics and the science of sporting performance.
Learners practise working scientifically by asking questions, planning and carrying out investigations, making observations, taking measurements, recording and analysing data, identifying patterns and drawing conclusions. Activities can include investigating materials, measuring temperature, exploring forces, testing pH, classifying cells and analysing physical performance.
The course can complement science teaching and support learners to engage with topics covered within GCSE science while maintaining their curiosity about the subject. It is a non-regulated course and does not replace a GCSE qualification.
Through practical challenges, learners develop their scientific knowledge and understanding alongside problem-solving, communication, teamwork and skills for learning, life and work.
Challenges can be interpreted and adapted to suit learners’ individual abilities, needs, interests and learning environments.
| Learner age | 13+, 14+, 14–16, 14–25, 16+, 16–19, 19+, Adults |
| Level (indicative for non-regulated courses) | Entry 3, Level 1 |
| Key Stage | Key Stage 5, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 3 |
| Education setting | Mainstream school, Justice system (including youth offending), Further education, Community Education, PRU, EOTAS, Academy / Multi-academy trust, Voluntary sector, Training provider, Adult education, Independent school, Social services, Secondary |
| Guided learning hours | 10–20 hours, 20–60 hours |
| Regulated | Non-regulated course |
| Certification | Externally certificated, digital or hard-copy (additional fee) |
| Location | England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, International (including Channel Islands and Ireland) |
| UCAS points | No UCAS points available |
| Available on Equitas | No |
| Pathway | Personal Effectiveness |
Who is the Science Short Course for?
Short Courses are widely used in formal and non-formal settings, for learners aged 13 and over. Although ASDAN’s Short Courses are designed for learners working at Entry level 3 to Level 1, they can be adapted for learners working above or below these levels. The focus is on completing challenges and developing skills.
Facts and figures
- Flexible programmes of learning accessible to learners at a range of levels
- Internally moderated
- Accredits 10–60 hours of activities
- Can count towards up to three credits for the Personal Development Programmes
- Can support skills development for ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications and may contribute to recognition of prior learning where standards are met in full
Requirements
Each learner must have their own registration. Learners must present evidence of their activities in an organised portfolio.
This should include:
- a record of the challenges completed, with supporting evidence
- recording documents showing how the learner planned and reviewed their activities
- a summary of achievement highlighting skills development
- a personal statement.
Equitas organises evidence against each challenge within the platform.
We have created guidance for members delivering ASDAN Short Courses, including planning, requirements, quality assurance and certification.
Course content
The Short Course is split into six modules:
- Human machine
- Forces and motion
- Chemical change
- Biological challenges
- Space physics
- Performance in sport
Download sample pages from the Science Short Course student book
For guidance on running ASDAN Short Courses, please see our step-by-step guides:
ASDAN training supports educators to deliver this course successfully. Sessions provide an introduction, alongside guidance on planning, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance. Training is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.
Training is included in ASDAN membership for organisations joining or renewing after 1 April 2026, excluding tailored INSET.
Book training in the members area
ASDAN members can also take part in our special interest groups. These online sessions focus on specific areas of practice and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration and networking with other members.
All registration costs are per learner. Each learner must have their own registration. Registrations are valid for three years from the date of purchase.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Short Course student book | £12 |
| Short Course Equitas learner registration and digital learning platform login | £12 |
| Short Course PDF certificate | Free |
| Short Course printed and foiled certificate (optional, per learner, per Short Course) | £3.75 |
Volume pricing for Equitas Short Courses
We offer scalable pricing for Short Courses on Equitas. This pricing applies only to new registrations made together in a single transaction for the same Equitas Short Course:
- 1–9 learners: £12 per registration
- 10–19 learners: £8 per registration
- 20–29 learners: £6 per registration
- 30+ learners: £4 per registration
Products
Course resources
Science Short Course - 1A2 Human machine: skin temperature
This worksheet is based around challenge 1A2 of the Science Short Course. It can be used to support an activity to measure the temperature of the skin on either the hands or face.
Science Short Course - 2A1 Forces and motion: float or sink?
This worksheet is based around challenge 2A1 of the Science Short Course. It supports an activity to measure the mass and volume of a range of tinned fizzy drinks to determine if they will float or sink.
Science Short Course - 3A2 Chemical change: pH of soft drinks
This worksheet is based around challenge 3A2 of the Science Short Course. It can be used to record the results of an experiment to measure the pH of a range of soft drinks.
Science Short Course - 4A1 Biological challenges: cell classification cards
This worksheet is based around challenge 4A1 of the Science Short Course. It contains a set of cards featuring images of cells (and a set of blank cards) for use in a cell classification activity.
Solar system trumps: card game
This top trumps-style card game links to challenge 5A3 of the Science Short Course. Learners can test each others' knowledge of the solar system and use them as a starting point to create their own cards.
Evaluation chart (individual)
This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week individual activity. Learners are asked to mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt; at the end of the project the learner should join up the marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Evaluation chart (group)
This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week group activity. Each member of the group should choose a different colour and mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt. At the end of the project, each group member then joins up their marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Planning a group or team task
This resource can be used when planning a group or team task. It links particularly well to ASDAN's Short Course programmes.
Self-evaluation template
This generic self-evaluation template can be used by learners to evaluate almost any group activity. Learners are asked to record how they felt about the activity and pick out the best and worst bits, before reflecting on what they could do better next time. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Teamwork health check
This generic teamwork health check template can support a wide range of group activities. Learners are asked to come up with a list of agreed ground rules for good teamwork, then rate each group member's performance against these criteria. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : Word version (mandatory)