Cradle Coast, Launceston, Online
Introduction
This unit introduces you to the foundations of primary science education, with an F-3 (or early childhood*) focus. It focuses on the purpose and relevance of science as it relates to everyday life as well as contemporary issues of sustainability, and how they can be addressed at age-appropriate levels.
This unit develops your scientific literacy alongside your understanding of scientific concepts and big ideas across the four disciplines in the primary science curriculum. It introduces the theoretical and practical basis for science teaching and learning as it is implemented in schools and in the community. This unit draws from constructivist, socio-cultural, and place-based approaches to teaching science, through guided-inquiry, conceptual learning, multimodal representations, hands-on, and interactive methods in relevant contexts.
You will develop skills to integrate learning outcomes, general capabilities, and cross-curricular priorities in the Australian curriculum, to develop, deliver, and reflect on evidence-informed science learning experiences and lessons. You will also develop strategies to apply inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogies, including First Nations ways of knowing, and how these contribute to understanding the natural world. As part of your emerging professional identity as a pre-service science teacher, you will also engage in ongoing reflective practice throughout the unit.
*For those enrolled in the Early Childhood program
Summary
| Unit name | Introduction to Primary Science Education |
| Unit code | EPR150 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Arts and Society Faculty of Education |
| Discipline | Education |
| Coordinator | Doctor Michelle Parks |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Introductory |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Launceston | Semester 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Online | Semester 2 |
|
|
|
|
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.
Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | 20/7/2025 | 18/8/2025 | 7/9/2025 | 25/10/2025 |
* 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 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the contemporary theories of teaching and learning science for primary school (or early childhood) settings.
- Describe scientific concepts and Big Ideas in the science curriculum and how they relate to scientific literacy.
- Design and deliver learning experiences and sequences appropriate for primary school (or early childhood) students.
- Reflect on your emerging professional identity as science educators through ongoing critical reflective practice.
- Communicate in a scholarly manner.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 070101 | $578.00 | $578.00 | not applicable | $2,440.00 |
- Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
- HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
- FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4
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 UniConnect 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 | Online: Weekly online tutorials (2 hours)
On-Campus (Inveresk and Cradle Coast Campuses): Weekly face-to-face tutorials (2 hours) |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Quizzes - Hurdle Task (20%)|Microteaching (30%)|Lesson Sequence (50%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
It is strongly encouraged you have your own copy of the textbook as it is a foundational resource for the two core units in science education, EPR150 and EPR350. For the remaining required readings, it is important that you have ongoing access to them, so they will be available for a limited loan period from the University of Tasmania Library collection.
|
|---|---|
| Recommended | These materials will be useful to your developing knowledge and understanding of the content in this unit, but you are not required to purchase them. When seeking sources of evidence to support your assignment work, you will find these a useful starting point. These materials are available for a limited loan period from the University Library collection.
Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.
|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.