ECE380 - STEM Inquiry Learning
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* Trimester 3: Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* From 2027: Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* Trimester 3: Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Judith Gomes Trimester 3: Melinda Kirk |
| Cohort rule: | This unit is only available to students enrolled in E330, E333, E334 |
| Prerequisite: | 10 credit points, including ECE111, ECE112, ECE211, ECE220 and ECP252 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 3-hour on-campus seminar per week NIKERI (CBD): |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Note:*Community Based Delivery (CBD): only for students of the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation NIKERI Institute (located at the Waurn Ponds campus) | |
Content
In this unit, students will develop deep understanding of science curriculum and inquiry-based pedagogies in early childhood education contexts. Through exploration of integrated STEM approaches, students will examine how young children develop scientific concepts, skills, and dispositions through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Students will analyse the relationship between curriculum frameworks, policy documents, and professional standards to inform their planning and implementation of science inquiries. The unit emphasises the design of engaging learning environments that promote scientific thinking, technological literacy, and elementary engineering concepts appropriate for young children. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate inquiry-based learning experiences that integrate digital technologies and conceptual play worlds. Through critical reflection on their teaching practice, students will develop strategies for documenting and assessing children's scientific learning, while building collaborative relationships with families and communities to support STEM engagement. The unit prepares students to confidently lead scientific inquiries that respond to children's interests and abilities while aligning with contemporary early childhood frameworks and pedagogical approaches.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Research and critically evaluate STEM in early childhood education and care practice and articulate core learnings in professional settings. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Critically evaluate inquiry learning and justify the selection of an inquiry model to plan, design, implement and evaluate an integrated STEM inquiry appropriate for an early childhood context. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO3 | Create an overarching and long-term plan incorporating STEM inquiry with children’s strengths, interests and abilities and collaborative relationships with families and community for meaningful and authentic learning. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: STEM Inquiry: Planning and implementation | 4000 words or equivalent | 100% | Week 4 & 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ECE380 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.