Precision in Practice: Developing the ‘Scientist’ Skillset at RGS PP
PHNOM PENH, February 26, 2026 — Biology students at Reigate Grammar School Phnom Penh have moved beyond the theoretical to master the rigorous standards of A-Level Practical Science. In a specialized session focused on microscopy and technical illustration, students worked to refine their Practical Skills (CPAC), a critical component of the international science curriculum.
The Art of the Scientific Record
In the world of life sciences, an accurate drawing is a data point. The session pushed students to move away from “artistic” sketching and toward “scientific” recording by following strict protocols:
- Single-Line Precision: Using clear, continuous lines to define cell boundaries and tissue layers.
- Zero Shading: Avoiding artistic shading to ensure that every mark on the paper represents a physical structure, not a lighting effect.
- Proportional Accuracy: Ensuring the scale of the drawing matches the magnification observed under the microscope.
- Labeling Integrity: Creating records that are reproducible and clear enough for another scientist to interpret without ambiguity.
Bridging the Gap: Textbook vs. Tissue
From our perspective at Schools Cambodia, the transition from a perfect textbook diagram to a complex, irregular slice of real biological tissue is where real “investigative confidence” is born.
By mastering these CPAC skills, RGS PP students are:
- Exam-Ready: Building the exact technical portfolio required for high-stakes end-of-year practical assessments.
- Career-Focused: Practicing the meticulous documentation habits required in medicine, pharmacology, and biotechnology.
- Analytical Thinkers: Learning to identify key structures amidst the “noise” of real biological samples.
We applaud Reigate Grammar School for maintaining such high academic standards, ensuring that their students are not just studying science, but practicing it at a professional level.