Primary Science Education 2 unit (EPR350)

Online

Introduction

This unit extends the theory and practical approaches introduced in EPR150. It continues to explore the nature and relevance of science as it relates to everyday life, and contemporary socio-scienti¿c issues, including sustainability. You will also develop strategies to explore complex global issues in age-appropriate, inclusive, and culturally responsive ways. This unit continues to build your scienti¿c literacy, alongside your pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) as well as an understanding of the big ideas across the four strands of the primary science curriculum. The unit reinforces and further elaborates on the theoretical and practical basis for science teaching and learning as it is implemented in schools and in the community. In addition, this unit highlights future directions and issues related to science education. You will continue to advance your skills to create conceptually focused learning experiences that are linked with the Australian curriculum. You will apply these skills to develop and re¿ect upon evidence-informed activities and the development of lesson sequences for learners. In addition, you will also learn integrated STEM approaches. As part of your professional identity as a science teacher and potential leader in science and STEM education, you will also engage in ongoing re¿ective practice and demonstrate your commitment to continued learning to improve practice, as outlined with the Teacher Professional Standards.

 

 

Summary

Unit name	Primary Science Education 2
Unit code	EPR350
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Doctor Michelle Parks
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* 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 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a critical understanding contemporary theories of teaching and learning science for primary school settings.
• Relate the Big Ideas and key scienti¿c concepts to the science curriculum to support the development of scienti¿c literacy.
• Design an integrated STEM unit and deliver a learning sequence appropriate for primary school students.
• Re¿ect on your ongoing development of pedagogical content knowledge in science as it relates to your professional 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
070103	$592.00	$592.00	not applicable	$2,562.00

• 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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

EPR150

Teaching

Assessment	Digital teaching resource (50%)|Integrated STEM learning sequence (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Campbell, W. Jobling, & C. Howitt (Eds.). (2018). Science in early childhood (3rd ed.)(pp. 163-175). New York: Cambridge University Press. [extra text recommended for Early Childhood students]. Skamp, K. & Preston, C. (Eds.). (2021). Teaching primary science constructively (7th edition). South Melbourne, VIC: Cengage. [both the 5th and 6th editions will suffice if you have a copy from the previous unit]. 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.

Recommended

Campbell, C., Jobling, W. & Howitt, C. (Eds.) (2018). Science in early childhood (3rd ed.) (pp. 235-257). Cambridge University Press. Fitzgerald, A., & Corrigan, D. (Eds.). (2018). Science education for Australian students: Teaching science from foundation to year 12. Taylor & Francis Ltd. Gregson, R., & Doidge, N. (2018). Connecting with science education (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

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