485-455 Learning Area: Sci & Technology 3(Adv)

Special requirement: Participation in weekly seminars, including short presentations on contract work in educational settings as arranged.

485-355 Learning Area: Sci & Technology 2 (Adv), or approved equivalent studies.

Students undertake investigation of curriculum resources available for teaching particular science topics, including written materials, multimedia, computer software and industry and community support services; a case study of the understanding and learning of a selected science concept by children at primary school level; and the design, implementation and evaluation of a science unit or a science project related to the local school community extending over at least six hours in a primary school. The major ideas in the current literature on children's understandings of science concepts and the methods by which they may be probed are introduced.

A major report of a case study on an investigation into children's understandings or learning of a selected concept in science (about 1500 words) (30%); a review of related literature on probing children's understanding (about 1500 words) (30%); the production (development, implementation and evaluation) of a science curriculum unit or a science project related to the local school community extending over at least six hours (about 2000 words) (40%).

Reading guides will be provided at the beginning of the course of study.

• Board of Studies, Curriculum and Standards Framework II: Science. 2000.
• Australian Education Council, Science: A Curriculum Profile for Australian Schools. Curriculum Corporation, 1994.
• J Faire & M Cosgrove, Teaching Primary Science. University of Waikato, 1988.
• F Biddulph & R Osborne (eds), Making Sense of Our World: An Interactive Teaching Approach. University of Waikato, 1984.