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Unit of study_

EDEC4008: STEM in Early Childhood

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Dispositions towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) begin to form early in a child's development. Students will explore the relationships between ways of thinking and doing in these areas of learning, and effective approaches for implementing STEM education in early childhood settings. The unit will be structured around several integrated themes and underpinned by a play- based problem solving pedagogy. A major aim of the unit will be to develop in students the skills and confidence to be leaders in STEM education in early childhood education settings.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDEC4008
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
EDUF1019 and EDEC3007 and EDEC3003 and (EDEC2007 or EDEC3005)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jennifer Way, jennifer.way@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Observation Report
Observation of a child playing with a STEM related resources and analysis.
45% Week 06 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation group assignment Peer Teaching
In pairs, develop an educative resource for the professional learning
55% Week 11 2500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  1. Observation Report: Observe a child playing with a STEM related resources, analyse and make recommendations for the most effective use of the resource. Submit a written report.
  2. Peer Teaching: In pairs, develop an educative resource for  professional learning and present it to the class to deepen their understanding of the STEM related topic.

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark range Description
High Distinction 85 – 100 Work of an exceptional standard
Distinction 75 – 84 Work of a very high standard
Credit 65 – 74 Work of a good standard
Pass 50 – 64 Work of an acceptable standard
Fail 0 – 49 Does not meet required standards

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Theme: The role of STEM in contemporary society and issues in STEM education. STEM learning expectations in EYLF, and in the Australian Curriculum for schools (Science, Mathematics, Technologies). nts will be guided through recent policy, systemic initiatives, research and media sources in an exploration of vocational and economic agendas, education initiatives, and social and educational issues (including gender) around STEM. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 02 Theme: The nature of knowledge development and inquiry processes within and across STEM disciplines. Theory and research in conjunction with practical experiences that underpin the STEM philosophy – what this looks like on a practical level. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Theme: Play-based problem-solving pedagogy and other approaches in STEM education. Why problem-solving approaches might be effective for STEM teaching and learning. Workshop focus: Identify Science and Mathematics concepts and processes typically inherent in play with natural resources (sand, mud, rocks and water). Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 04 Theme: Design and Engineering - exploring physical technologies. Why an engineering model can effectively integrate Science, Technology and Mathematics. Engage-Explore-Reflect cycle, the value of creativity and innovation, and the role of the teacher in the inquiry cycle. Workshop focus: Block constructions (concepts of gravity, balance / centre of mass, position, number, size, shape etc.) and design and construction concepts & processes. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Theme: investigating with digital technologies. Students will consider the potential of digital technologies to stimulate STEM thinking. Emphasis will be given to strategies that support: • Questioning and predicting; • Experimentation with cause and effect; • Cognitive, behavioural and emotional engagement; • Imaginative and creative responses to problems; • Autonomy and perseverance; • & enacted) Resources include: programmable toys, iPads, apps, digital cameras. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO7
Week 06 Theme: Thinking and reasoning in STEM – including imagination, visualisation, representation, and argumentation. Children’s representations of their understandings (drawn, modelled, explained, gestured) Workshop focus: living things (plants & animals). Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Theme: Professional resources for early years STEM education. Students will be guided in locating, exploring and critically evaluating a range of available STEM resources including research groups, blogs, Pintrest collections, You Tube or Facebook sites. Students will consider strategies for supporting professional colleagues to better lead early years STEM learning. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 08 Theme: Planning STEM experiences for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Students will be supported to develop STEM learning and teaching activities with children of different ages. Extending children’s learning irrespective of age, based on children’s interests, will be explored. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Theme: Documenting and sharing STEM experiences for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Students will explore a range of methods for documenting STEM experiences including ways to communicate with parents and families. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6 LO7
Week 10 Theme: Application of integrated STEM inquiry approaches. Applied science and technology - Within the theme of Mobility students would explore the physical technologies that increase the mobility of people with physical impairments, and the associated social justice issues. An example of an activity is Using the Lego ‘wheelchair people’ set to design and construct built environments that provide disabled access. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Student presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO7 LO8
Week 12 Student presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires at least 90% of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadvanture may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library link, available on Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Articulate advanced understandings about science, technology, mathematics, engineering (STEM) topics, and ways of integrated thinking and doing in these disciplines.
  • LO2. Apply principles of ‘play-based problem solving’ for developing positive dispositions for engagement in STEM activities, and building STEM concepts and skills in toddlers and young children.
  • LO3. Analyse young children’s engagement with STEM activities and plan appropriate learning experiences to encourage creativity, and develop their thinking and problem solving.
  • LO4. Critically evaluate STEM resources in relation to their potential for supporting children’s overall learning and development.
  • LO5. Engage with and explain the nexus between practice, theory and research in relation to STEM education.
  • LO6. Reflect on the value of STEM education in relation to the development, strengths and interests of toddlers and young children.
  • LO7. Articulate an increased understanding of their leadership role as a member of an early childhood team and community of learners.
  • LO8. Design an educative resource for professional development of early childhood educators in relation to STEM education.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.1. Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches.
3.3. Numeracy, science and technology
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.2. Play based pedagogies
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.3. Numeracy, science and technology
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
3.3. Numeracy, science and technology
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
3.3. Numeracy, science and technology
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.7. Contemporary society and pedagogy
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.2. The Australian curriculum
3.3. Numeracy, science and technology
6.5. Research
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1.1. Learning, development and care
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
LO7
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
6.1. Leadership
LO8
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
2.2 A Play based pedagogies
2.3 A Guiding behaviour / engaging young learners
2.4 A Teaching methods and strategies
2.7 A Contemporary society and pedagogy
3.1 A Early Years Learning Framework
3.3 A Numeracy, science and technology
6.1 A Leadership

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

As this is a new unit, some of the learning activities will collaboratively developed with students and all constructive feedback will very welcome.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.