Courses & Units

STEM Education for Sustainable Development (STEM4ESD) EPR308

Introduction

This unit will introduce you to Foundations to Year 6 STEM Education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), with an explicit focus on relevant contexts concerning complex socio-scientific issues (e.g., biodiversity, climate change, renewable energy), to connect local actions to global challenges. You will critically explore STEM education for sustainable development, from theoretical and practical perspectives, addressing both the benefits and challenges of integrated STEM education as it is implemented in schools and in the broader community. The unit highlights the theories and strategies for student-centred multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary approaches to STEM education for sustainable development, through diverse learning approaches (e.g., design-based, inquiry-based, play-based). You will consider perspectives of systems thinking and diverse worldviews, including First Nations ways of knowing and how these contribute to holistic understandings of complex issues. You will develop skills to integrate learning outcomes, capabilities, and cross-curricular priorities in the Australian curriculum, in order to plan, assess, and implement interactive learning experiences, lessons, and units. You will also develop strategies to explore complex global issues in age-appropriate, inclusive and culturally responsive ways that enable school students to address issues relevant to their local context in order to positively influence social and environmental change.

Summary

Unit name STEM Education for Sustainable Development (STEM4ESD)
Unit code EPR308
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Arts, Law and Education
Faculty of Education
Discipline Education
Coordinator Doctor Connie Cirkony
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By

Availability

This unit is currently unavailable.

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* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

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Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the theoretical and practical basis for STEM education, including ways STEM education might be integrated with sustainable development in primary school settings.
  • Critically evaluate STEM learning experiences and sequences in primary schools and community settings through evidence-informed practice.
  • Demonstrate an integrated STEM education for sustainable development learning experience in the form of a digital multi-media presentation.
  • Design an integrated STEM education for sustainable development unit using evidence-informed considerations for planning, assessment, and implementation in a primary school setting.
  • Communicate education concepts and design approaches to an academic audience.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
not applicable

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Weekly online Class Recordings and Activities Posted on MyLo (recordings; question prompts; assessment task development), 4hrs, weekly

Discussion Posts -related to weekly activities and assessment tasks, 2hrs, Weekly

Readings (related to assessment tasks & weekly activities), 2hrs, Weekly

AssessmentConnect Research to Practice (30%)|Digital Presentation (30%)|STEM4ESD unit plan (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

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