ECE380 - STEM Inquiry Learning

Year:	2027 unit information
Enrolment modes:	Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* Trimester 3: Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* From 2028: Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool, Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)* Trimester 3: Online, Community Based Delivery (CBD)*
Credit point(s):	1
EFTSL value:	0.125
Cohort rule:	This unit is only available to students enrolled in E330, E333, E334
Prerequisite:	Students must have passed 5 credit points at level 2, including ECE220
Corequisite:	Nil
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:	Trimester 2 1 x 3-hour on-campus seminar per week in non-placement teaching weeks (8 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:	Trimester 2 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week in non-placement teaching weeks (8 weeks) Trimester 3 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week for 8 weeks (dates to be advised)

Content

In this unit, students will develop deep understanding of science curriculum and inquiry-based pedagogies in early childhood education contexts. Through exploration of integrated STEM approaches, students will examine how young children develop scientific concepts, skills, and dispositions through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Students will analyse the relationship between curriculum frameworks, policy documents, and professional standards to inform their planning and implementation of science inquiries.

The unit emphasises the design of engaging learning environments that promote scientific thinking, technological literacy, and elementary engineering concepts appropriate for young children. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate inquiry-based learning experiences that integrate digital technologies and conceptual play worlds. Through critical reflection on their teaching practice, students will develop strategies for documenting and assessing children's scientific learning, while building collaborative relationships with families and communities to support STEM engagement.

The unit prepares students to confidently lead scientific inquiries that respond to children's interests and abilities while aligning with contemporary early childhood frameworks and pedagogical approaches

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

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