EPS735 - Primary Science and Technology Education
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: John Cripps Clark Trimester 3: Peta White |
| Cohort rule: | Students must be enrolled in course E762, E764, E765, E778 |
| Prerequisite: | Students commencing course E762, E764, E765 in 2020 must have passed 2 units from EEE754, EEE755, EEE756, EPR721, EPR751, EPR771, EPR781 Students in E762.3 must have passed 4 credit points including EPR781 |
| Corequisite: | Students enrolled in E778: ESL010 |
| Incompatible with: | EES540, ESS540 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 3-hour on-site school-based seminar (field trip to excursion sites) per week in non-placement teaching weeks (approx. 5 weeks) (in weeks TBA) |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| In-person attendance requirements: | School-based learning experiences 1-4 (date to be advised) |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Note:Small group teaching of primary aged students is a central element of this unit. | |
Content
The unit covers the following topics:
- science and design & technologies pedagogies: conceptual change, multi-modal representations
- linking research, theory and resources to practice
- states and national curricula planning – planning and implementing a sequence of science and design and technologies lessons
- science and technology practical activities
- the nature of science and the relationship between design and technologies and science
- the relationships between science and technology to the capabilities curriculum: higher order thinking and reasoning, creativity and imagination, ethical decision making, and intercultural competence
- resources for a contemporary primary science classroom, including the use of the community, teacher professional associations, and ICT to support learning in Science and Design and Technologies
- assessment, as, of and for learning – diagnostic and formative and summative
- science conceptual knowledge
- design thinking
- safety in science and design and technologies teaching and excursions
- Whole school approaches to teaching science.
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 | Curriculum: Critically evaluate research relevant to the teaching of Science & Design Technologies, to link contemporary theory with current practice in the teaching of primary students | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Pedagogy: Systematically explore and apply a range of engaging and inclusive Science and Design & Technologies pedagogies and practices in the teaching of primary students. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO3 | Assessment: Critically observe and collect evidence of student learning to systematically evaluate and communicate evidence-based assessment of student development. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Resourcing: Trial, develop and critically evaluate, for particular students, lesson and unit teaching plans in Science and Design & Technologies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO5 | Evaluation: Reflect on your professional practice to generate creative approaches to the challenges of primary Science and Design & Technologies teaching | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Excursion Plan | 750 words or equivalent | 15% | Week 3 |
| Assessment 2: Teaching Report | 1500 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 3: (Individual or Pairs) Learning Report | Part A: (Individual) 2500 words Part B: (Individual) | 55% | Week 12 |
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.
Hurdle requirement
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Complete and document six primary science practical activities. | Practical activities are the heart of science teaching. To become a teacher of primary science you need to explore and illustrate engaging and authentic science and technology pedagogies and practices in the teaching of primary students. This is best, and most enjoyably, done by doing the practical activities that you will get your students to do yourself. Most primary science practical can be done in your kitchen with readily available materials but we will provide opportunities to practice practical activities (and learn science) in your seminars and at two weekend practical activity days. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Learning resource
There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
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.