Inquiry in the Science Classroom
UndergraduateCUR-EDP2732025
Create and participate in inquiry focused, hands-on activities in science learning. Consider lesson planning, teaching strategies and assessment forms. Promote a positive attitude towards science to enable children to better understand their world.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 23 Nov 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 June 2025,
- 1 Dec 2025
- Price from
- $666
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Inquiry in the Science Classroom
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- plan science lessons that advance science knowledge by an inquiry approach to learning that incorporates ethical discourse and decision-making processes
- implement a range of teaching strategies in the science context and identify and develop resources to help primary school students engage and learn science
- evaluate assessment strategies in the context of science to help develop a cohesive framework to guide students learning
- differentiate and contextualise learning experiences to meet children’s cultural backgrounds and specific learning needs with particular reference to Indigenous knowledge and understandings
- produce a clear rationale to support the teaching of science in the primary classroom and develop awareness, understanding and interpretation of the curriculum materials for science whilst safely managing students
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Australian Science curriculum and the concepts appropriate to primary school.
- Science literacy investigations
- Observation investigations; Inquiry
- Where students are at! Constructivism; Alternative conceptions; Questioning
- How do we teach them? Teaching Strategies; 5 E Model
- How do we assess them? Scaffold planning/coaching for assessment
- How do we keep them safe?
- Programming and planning units
- ICT and science review
- Excursions; Review, revisit and reflect
What does it look like, feel like and smell like? In this subject the inquiry process provides the framework through which students investigate science in the primary classroom. Students will create and participate in inquiry focused hands-on activities across the science learning areas of the Australian Curriculum. This subject will focus on fostering a positive and engaging environment to promote students’ scientific literacy and will consider lesson planning, teaching strategies and assessment forms in the context of the science classroom. The subject will also evaluate the raft of science resources and technologies available for primary classrooms. There is a focus on promoting students’ ability to develop primary school learners’ knowledge and skills to work scientifically, and to foster a positive attitude to science, and apply science knowledge to better understand the world around them.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Case Study (45%)
- Take Home Exam (10%)
- Sequence of 5 Lesson Plans (45%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- CUR-BED-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
Elective
- CUR-FAST-DEG-2025 - Fast track your Curtin on campus study
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
one of
CUR-EDC171 (Not currently available)
- CUR-EDC175-Educators Inquiring About the World
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
11 student respondents between 26 Aug 2024 - 10 Mar 2025.
72%of students felt the study load was manageable
90%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
UndergraduateCUR-BED-DEG
Fast track your Curtin on campus study
UndergraduateCUR-FAST-DEG