EDF4025 - Studies of science, environment and sustainability - 2017

This unit develops students' advanced understanding of content and pedagogy for sustainability as a cross-curriculum priority, and primary years science discipline knowledge relevant to the Australian Curriculum and the Victorian Curriculum F-10, including biological, earth and environmental science studies from Foundation to Year 6. Students develop an appreciation for how education for sustainability has emerged as a global priority by exploring research and curriculum content and policy including goals and agreements developed by the United Nations and other education providers in this field. Students develop an understanding of the concepts of environmental studies and sustainability and explore how these concepts are inextricably linked. They learn how to develop integrated approaches to studies of the environment and sustainability and specific related science content across primary school curriculum. Students investigate and understand the cultural, social, economic, scientific, ecological and political factors that influence attitudes and actions towards environment and sustainability. They develop theoretical, discipline-based and pedagogical knowledge and understanding of how to implement whole school approaches and classroom learning experiences for environment and sustainability at different levels of primary education.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. describe and understand the difference between environmental and sustainability education
2. develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the national and global reasons that have led to the emergence of education for sustainability as an educational priority
3. develop pedagogical content knowledge necessary to teach education for sustainability and relevant content in the areas of biological, earth and environmental science studies from Foundation to Year 6 in the Victorian Curriculum F-10 and the Australian Curriculum
4. discuss and evaluate the influence of cultural, social, economic, scientific, ecological and political factors on how concepts of environment and sustainability are understood and incorporated into primary curricula in Australia and internationally
5. design and implement learning experiences that incorporate environment, sustainability and science at different levels of primary education.

Essay: exploration of pedagogical content knowledge, curriculum and policy related to education for sustainability and related areas of science (can include individual and/or group work) (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)

Unit of work to teach science, environmental education and sustainability in a primary school (can include individual and/or group work) (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2 contact hours per week
2. Additional requirements:
   • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Sylvia Almeida

Primary education