Unit rationale, description and aim
Having the appropriate knowledge of science understandings, processes and skills is necessary to be able to teach science in early childhood settings and/or primary classrooms. It is also important to ensure that scientific knowledge, understandings and skills support pre-service teachers in making informed decisions about local, national and global issues.
This unit contributes to the development of background knowledge and skills related to the ‘big ideas’ of science and technology and how these have contributed to our present understandings of the known universe. The unit lays a foundation that enables students to develop a deeper understanding of the historical, contemporary and social nature of science and technology and how both play a significant role in society. In this unit, science is explored as a particular ‘way’ of observing, making sense of and understanding the world.
In this unit, pre-service teachers will develop the knowledge and skills required to support the teaching of science: to think critically and creatively about the nature of Science from both Western and Indigenous perspectives; to demonstrate the skills of scientific investigations; to have content knowledge in areas of science relevant to the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum: Science F-6.
The aim of this unit is to allow pre-service teachers to demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes in science such that they can be a competent and confident teacher of science.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Identify aspects of science which contribute to th...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate an understanding of scientific knowled...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply understanding of scientific processes throug...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate scientific literacy by communicating s...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- The nature of science from both Western and Indigenous perspectives;
- Scale and measurement related to: time (formation of the universe, geological time scale, evolutionary time scale) and distance (astronomical distances, atomic distances);
- Patterns, order and organisation as a way to make sense of the world including: observed environmental changes, and the classification of living things and non-living objects
- Matter and energy focussing on different forms, and the nature of their interactions
- Stability and change related to cause and effect in: living things; the environment; and chemical and physical systems
- Systems to understand, explain and predict events and phenomena
Assessment strategy and rationale
In line with the principles of constructive alignment (Biggs & Tang, 2011), assessment tasks allow students to show that they have achieved the Learning Outcomes (LO). These assessment tasks have been designed to align with the LO so that, in achieving the minimal standard of these tasks, pre-service teachers will have met the required learning outcomes of the Unit.
In line with andragogical principles (Knowles, 2015), assessment tasks should be authentic, real world tasks. Undertaking a scientific investigation allows pre service teachers to put real scientific processes into practice. Posters are a unique form of academic communication and in exploring common misconceptions, pre service teachers are able to communicate their developing content knowledge to a wide audience.
In line with mandatory accreditation requirements (AITSL, 2018), pre-service teachers must demonstrate they have the content knowledge required in science as a key learning area.
Minimum Achievement Standards
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. In order to pass this unit, pre-service teachers are required to complete all assessment tasks, and achieve a Pass grade overall.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Scientific Investigation Plan...
Assessment Task 1: Scientific Investigation
Plan, undertake and report on a scientific investigation orientated towards an issue of significance for the environment and society.
Part A - Proposal 10%
Part B - Final report 40%
50%
Assessment Task 2 (Group activity) Effectively c...
Assessment Task 2
(Group activity)
Effectively communicate one of the big ideas of science and/or technology through an engaging medium that is appropriate to the target audience.
20%
Assessment Task 3 Examination of scientific know...
Assessment Task 3
Examination of scientific knowledge and key processes for the Key Ideas of Science for primary teaching
30%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. In line with social constructivist principles, this unit is premised on the understanding that teaching and learning activities should build on prior knowledge, connect with the learner’s needs and interests, and encourage active participation.
Teaching and learning activities will build from the prior knowledge that pre-service teachers have about key science concepts. Many of these conceptions will not align with current scientific understanding, in which case learning and teaching strategies will create learning environments which allow pre-service teachers to reconstruct their knowledge to better align with modern scientific understanding.
Tutorials/ laboratory workshops etc will emphasise a hands-on approach, requiring active participation from pre-service teachers, to develop their content knowledge base.
Further real-world activities will be given priority where possible, such as visiting science-based excursions sites; visiting local classrooms with specialist science teachers; meeting their local professional science teaching association etc.
These first-hand teaching and learning experiences will support knowledge development in science to form a solid basis for further science units which focus on classroom pedagogies.
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:
ACECQA Curriculum specifications
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed knowledge in the following areas: