ECE220 - Science and Environment in the Early Years

Year:

2026 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)*

Credit point(s): 1
EFTSL value: 0.125
Prerequisite:

5 credit points at level 1 including ECE111 and ECE112

Corequisite:

Students enrolled in E333: ESL010

 

Incompatible with: Nil
Study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

1 x 3-hour on-campus seminar per week in non-placement teaching weeks

NIKERI (CBD):
3 x 6-hour on-campus intensive (workshops/seminars) per trimester (weeks TBA)

1 x 1-hour online seminars per week for 8-weeks

Scheduled learning activities - online:

1 x 2-hour online seminar per week in non-placement teaching weeks

Note:

*Community Based Delivery (CBD): only for students of the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation NIKERI Institute (located at the Waurn Ponds campus)

Content

In this unit, students will explore children's learning in science and environmental understanding, focusing on key theoretical and pedagogical perspectives, and scientific understanding. Emphasizing play-based and nature-based early childhood education and care contexts, students will apply knowledge of the planning cycle to plan creative and engaging teaching and learning experiences that foster a strong connection between young learners and the natural world. A range of developmentally appropriate assessment strategies will be explored and applied to support children's conceptual understanding of science, building on their strengths, interests and abilities. Additionally, this unit encourages students to develop autonomy and agency in professional learning by creating artefacts for your professional portfolio that demonstrate your growth and expertise in teaching science and the environment.

Unit fee information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.