The age-old debate between science and religion had another outing as Junior cert students grappled with critical inquiry in the morning, followed by esoteric ideas in the afternoon.

Luke Saunders, founder of Studyclix.ie, said the Junior Cert Science exam won't have thrown up any great surprises for students familiar with previous year's exams.

“It was clear from this year’s paper that examiners are reinforcing the importance of covering all topics on the course. Questions on plastics and biotechnology will have punished students who had skipped these ‘fringe’ sections of the course.”

Very well received

Mairead Glynn, TUI representative and a teacher at Tallaght Community School, said the higher level Science paper was very approachable, with some challenges in the chemistry section. She said a question on soapbox racing was very well received.

The ordinary level paper was nice with no surprises, said Ms Glynn. Mr Saunders agreed but said the chemistry section would have proven a lot more challenging than expected, though the physics section was far more approachable.

The proposed new junior cycle science syllabus would allow for greater inclusion of new discoveries, such as gravitational waves, but it is being held up by opposition from the ASTI teacher union.

The religion paper, meanwhile, was very clear and straightforward, according to Jane Craig-Elliott, ASTI subject representative and a teacher at St Patrick’s College in Cavan.

Impoverished girl

A question on stewardship, which normally focuses on the environment, looked at the story of an impoverished girl who shared her only bit of food with friends - this was a move away from the usual context but a welcome way of encouraging reflective thought, said Ms Craig-Elliott.

She said she does encounter students who identify as atheist, but she encourages them to be as informed as possible on world religions to support their case.

The ordinary level Religion paper was significantly different from the higher paper and featured questions on reconciliation, informed conscience and images of God. “There was nothing that would trip them up,” she said.

This year, 56,150 students sat the science paper while 27,787 took on religious education.

TRY THIS AT HOME: Junior Cert Religion, Higher Level

Describe one example of how religious differences between people played a part in a conflict situation in Ireland or elsewhere.