Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Pre-service teachers will be introduced to the nature of science and science as a way of understanding the world around us based on evidence. Preservice teachers will become familiar with the structure and content of the F-6 science curriculum. They will learn about (1) science understanding (biological, chemical, physical and earth and space sciences), (2) science inquiry skills and (3) science as a human endeavour. Pre-service teachers will come to understand how children learn about abstract scientific concepts and the importance of considering prior knowledge. Emphasis will be placed on effective and inclusive teaching strategies such as inquiry-based teaching, active learning, student-centred teaching, practical work and cooperative group work. A variety of ways of assessing and communicating student learning will be practiced. Contemporary primary school science resources that integrate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in real life contexts will be critiqued.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Primary Education major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate knowledge of the content of the WA science curriculum strands; (2) use science curriculum documents to plan a learning sequence at an appropriate level from F-6; (3) compare and contrast a range of effective and inclusive teaching strategies used in primary school science classrooms; (4) demonstrate familiarity with assessment types (diagnostic, formative and summative) to monitor student progress; (5) illustrate a range of ways to communicate scientifically; and (6) compile and critique a resource file of contemporary science and STEM resource.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quiz; (2) lesson plans; and (3) teaching program. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment inBH020 Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours)
- Contact hours
- 30 hours - two hour seminar plus 2 hour practical
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.