• ASSESSMENT 1 – Learning experience outline: 

  Select a science or technology learning experience that would be suitable for conducting an individual task with a young child (e.g. practical task, a collection of objects or organisms, but not reading a book).

  The task must be based around the interests of a 3-5 year old child that you know. The child is not to be identified, but you should include a short section at the start of your paper that cites the child's age and a brief outline of their interests (no more than 70 words). So you need to have knowledge of a child BUT you are not required to interview or test ideas out on the child. Most students usually use a family member.

  The task must be based upon the interests of the child you have chosen. Your task is to develop a science related activity that could develop or extend the child's interests.  You will identify specific concepts and processes of science or technology that children could potentially learn from the experience and links to the ELYF.  and then critically reflect on the learning experience with reference to the literature

• The task must consider the interests of the child chosen. You will begin by identifying an interest of this child or an observation of the child’s play and then develop the activity around this interest or aspect of play.
• You will identify specific concepts and processes of science or technology that children could potentially learn from the experience and links to the ELYF.
• and then critically reflect on the teaching of the learning experience and the child’s learning using evidence from your observations.

IMPORTANT

Do not do any of the following activities – these have major flaws and involve incorrect science:

• Tornado in a bottle
• Shaving cream clouds
• Volcano using bicarbonate of soda

Do not attempt to teach children particle theory, atoms or molecules.

• ASSESSMENT 2 – Portfolio of science learning experience: 

  Construct a science portfolio describing / illustrating 5 developmentally appropriate, play-based science and technology learning experiences for infants, toddlers and young children. You will include:

• one experience suitable for children birth-12 months,
• one experience suitable for children 18 months -2 years
• one experience for children 2-3 years
• one experience suitable for children 3-4 years
• one experience suitable for children 4-5 years

One of the five experiences above should focus on sustainability.

Each experience will be described including:

• learning aims,
• teaching strategies,
• materials required and resources and
• ways, the experience could be extended by families at home.
• A one page rationale will analyse each learning experience with reference to relevant educational theory.

It is strongly recommended that you use the template provided for this assessment.

IMPORTANT

Do not do any of the following activities – these have major flaws and involve incorrect science:

• Tornado in a bottle
• Shaving cream clouds
• Volcano using bicarbonate of soda

Do not attempt to teach children particle theory, atoms or molecules.

• ASSESSMENT 3 – Reflective essay: Provide a reflective summary of key learning and challenges when teaching science and technology, and the nature of these disciplines. Reflections should relate to academic readings and issues raised during class discussion.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.