EnvironmentalStudies

Next year you will sit for your Environmental

Studies Matsec Exam.

Environmental Studies is the study of our

environmental landscape, heritage and social

dimension through Geography, History and Social

Studies.

Through these 3 subjects the syllabus for the Matsec

Exam is being covered. It is up to each student to

decide whether to sit for this exam or not.

Project

• 15% of the global mark that is 30 marks is allotted to the

investigation project that each student has to prepare.

• At our school we encourage you to choose a topic and

during the summer holidays work on the investigation.

• Next year our teachers, will correct the drafts of the various

chapters so that the project presented, will be of good

standard.

• We encourage students to collect their own data through

direct observation, questionnaires, and surveys.

• It is very important for the students to then analyse the

information collected.

• The students sitting for this exam in May 2020 have to choose

from one of the following topics –

An investigation into water conservation at home.

Investigazzjoni dwar il-konservazzjoni tal-ilma fid-dar.

The importance of Maltese nature reserves in preserving geology

and/or biodiversity.

L-importanza tar-riservi naturali Maltin fil-preservazzjoni tal-ġeoloġija

u/jew tal-bijodiversita.

Malta’s coastal defence network under the Order of the Knights of

St John.

Is-sistema tad-difiża kostali ta’ Malta taħt l-Ordni tal-Kavallieri ta’ San

Ġwann.

A history of the celebration of the feasts of St Peter and St Paul,

Our Lady of Victory and Carnival, in Malta.

L-istorja taċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tal-festi ta’ San Pietru u San Pawl, il-

Vitorja u l-Karnival ta’ Malta.

Malta: developing into a multi-cultural society.

Malta: L-iżvilupp f’soċjeta multikulturali.

Transitioning from Maltese citizens to global ones.

It-Tranżizzjoni minn ċittadini Maltin għal ċittadini globali.

An investigation into water conservation at home.

The candidate is to inform him/herself on the problems

associated with water availability and production in Malta, and

discuss one or more possible house-hold water conservation

measures that s/he and the family can implement to help

reduce the problem.

The project should contain both primary and secondary

research.

The methodology should include a survey.

The importance of Maltese nature reserves in preserving

geology and/or biodiversity.

The candidate is to choose ONE nature reserve and discuss

its importance for the locality and for Malta.

The project should contain both primary and secondary

research.

The methodology should include a survey and a form of

fieldwork (site-visits, observation & basic data collection &

very basic analysis).

Malta’s coastal defence network under the Order of the Knights

of St John.

The candidate is to inform him/herself about the defence network of

either Malta or Gozo, and provide a general description of it.

Furthermore, the candidate is to focus on ONE fortification (site)

and analyse its architecture and use during the time of the Knights,

and how these changed over time to the present.

The project should contain both primary and secondary research.

The methodology should include basic site mapping and a survey

and/or interviews with locals, tourists, industry professionals etc.

A history of the celebration of the feasts of St Peter and St Paul,

Our Lady of Victory and Carnival, in Malta.

The candidate is to gather information about the history of ONE of

these feasts and how it was celebrated along the years.

The candidate is to include: history, folklore, traditions and legends;

and should discuss how these were and are understood by locals and

foreigners.

The project should contain both primary and secondary research.

The methodology should include a survey and/or interviews with

locals, tourists, industry professionals, history/folklore experts etc.

Malta: developing into a multi-cultural society.

The candidate is to inform him/herself about the circumstances and

causes that have led to an increasingly multicultural Maltese society.

Furthermore, the candidate should identify ONE effect of

multiculturalism on Maltese society and discuss it.

The project should contain both primary and secondary research.

The methodology should include a survey and/or interviews with

locals, tourists, industry professionals etc.

Transitioning from Maltese citizens to global ones.

The candidate is to focus on how youth today are seeing past the

confines of the island, enabled by the effects of technology and

globalisation.

The candidate is to focus on how Maltese youth are transitioning

from local to global citizens, and analyse the consequences of

this phenomenon.

The project should contain both primary and secondary research.

The methodology should include a survey and/or interviews with

locals, tourists, industry professionals etc

Procedure for the project:Select a tutor from teachers teaching Year 11 Geography, History and Social Studies depending the theme chosen.Teacher will go over the drafts of the various chapters (September-December 2019) and offer his/her advice so that the project presented will be of good standard. Students have to collect their own data -

Direct ObservationQuestionnaires

Surveys Statistics

Newspaper articlesCopies of Original photos

Information collected has to be fully analysed

Tips for a good investigation:

• Books and magazines used only for reference material,

• Based on personal observation,

• Serious personal analysis,

• Surveys and analysis of results,

• Analysis of comments made by the people interviewed,

• Photos, graphs and diagrams included and fully evaluated,

• Include personal comments and experiences,

• Should refer to the natural, social or historical environment,

• Give practical original suggestions for improving the area under focus.

It is important that the project presented is the

work of the student him/her self.

Any student who hands in a project which is

copied will be reported to the Matsec board.

Students might be asked by the Matsec Board

to sit for an interview in regards to their

investigation.

The students can work on their investigation during summer.

In order to assist our students we will upload these notes on our school

website.

You can download a copy of the tips so that you can work on your own

during the summer holidays.

The students can present their draft copy to their teacher during

October/November 2019.

Eventually you will hand in your report at school after the Christmas

holidays that is during January 2020.

Students can collect back their original copy in June.

Some points by the Matsec:

• The candidate is to choose ONE title.

• The project should consist of a report of approximately 1500 to

2000 words about the chosen topic.

• In their write up candidates are expected to develop the topic in

their own words and to supplement their account with appropriate

statistics, graphs and photos/sketches/diagrams (with appropriate

captions).

• While candidates are encouraged to use the available literature and

the Internet for their research, they are reminded that plagiarised

work will be heavily penalised.

• This work shall carry a total mark of 30/200 or 15% of the global

mark of the examination.

When moderating the project the Markers’ Panel will take the

following points into consideration:

a) Planning and the candidates' initiative to work on their own;

b) Development of the work indicating the candidates' ability to

face situations and people so as to be able to make observations and

collect and assess information;

c) Effort to ensure that the report is the result of personal work,

observations and ideas;

d) Ability to make use of information, surveys and statistics;

e) Conclusion indicating ideas, observations and suggestions which

the candidates make as a result of all that they observe and judge.

Presentation

Front cover:

• The title,

• A picture related to the title

Front page:

Personal details

• Name, surname• School• Year• Subject: Environmental Studies

Index / contents page:

• Chapters• Chapters titles• All subtitles• All the above has to be

numbered• Use font 12 for this page

Introduction

The introduction should include:

• Why was the title selected,

• A summary of your work,

• Some definitions if necessary.

From this point onwards only

font 12 should be used.

Chapters• The chapters, at least four,

should reflect the aims mentioned in the introduction.

• Graphs, surveys and questionnaires should be fullyexplained and analysed

• A caption should be included under each photograph, map or sketch.

• Each chapter should have a header showing chapter number and title

• Make use of subtitles. They enhance the project and make it pleasant to read.

• Use Maltese fonts when necessary

• Check your spelling• Pages have to be

numbered• Copying whole chunks from

a secondary source must be avoided.

Photography• The use of original photography (taken on

site) is highly recommended.• Photo size should be a normal postcard

size (15x10 cms)• If printed at home use glossy paper• Captions for all photos• You should appear at least in one photo• The use of sketches, graphs, statistical

data, tables and maps are highly recommended.

Conclusion• A summary is given of all the

aspects that the investigation has brought to light.

• Give your interpretation of what you saw, researched about and learnt.

• Suggestions• Recommendations.• Mention what you as a young

person can do in favour of the area under study.

Bibliography:Books, pamphlets, leaflets, brochures, newspapers, websites should all be listed in alphabetical order.

Copies of letters, emails, questionnaires, surveys and interviews should follow the bibliography.

Example Bibliography

• Gilson, E. Id-Dinja Darna vol. 3. Malta, 2017.

• Said Zammit George, A., Il-wirt arkitettoniku tal-Gżejjer Maltin. Malta, 2004

• Spiteri Stephen C., Fortress of the Knights, Malta 2001.

Acknowledgements

In this section all the persons that have helped you can be officially thanked.

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Timings

• June

• Summer

• October

• November

• December

• January

• Full information on school website

• Investigation

• Preparing of draft project

• Meeting for students sitting for Environmental Studies SEC Exam.

• Reviewing of draft by tutor

• Final adjustments

• Printing of final layout

• Binding of project

• Hand in the project to your teacher