Study Science Education with us
Science Education offers teachers and other educators an opportunity to critically consider key local and international issues impinging on front-line management of science education in schools and research.
- Programs in Science Education
- Themes explored in Science Education
- Research in Science Education
- Staff in Science Education
- Who is the program suitable for?
- Key benefits of the course
Programs in Science Education
This program of study offers teachers and other educators an opportunity to critically consider key local and international issues impinging on front-line management of science education in schools and research.
You can specialise in Science Education by choosing one of the following courses:
| Program | Part Time | Full Time |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (by coursework) New structure from 2010 | 2 years | 1 year |
| Master of Education (by coursework) No intake in 2010 | 3 years | 18 months |
| Master of Education (by research) (thesis only) No intake in 2010 | 2 years | 1 year |
| Master of Education (by research) (thesis only) No intake in 2010 | 3 years | 18 months |
| Master of Education (by research) (thesis and coursework) No intake in 2010 | 2 years | 1 year |
| Master of Education (by research) (thesis and coursework) New structure from 2010 | 3 years | 18 months |
| Doctor of Education (by research) | 6 years | 3 years |
| Doctor of Education (by coursework) | 6 years | 3 years |
| PhD | 6 years | 3 years |
(*NB. The differing lengths of the Masters programs are based on the previous qualifications/work experience of the applicant)
Themes/subjects explored in Science Education
Science Education research students are working with educators passionate about the future of science in exploring themes such as:
- Thinking with models in science and science education
- Individual and collective professional development in science faculties
- Science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in key concept areas
- Assessment rubrics and social constructivist pupil learning
- The salience of emotion and faith in science and a commitment to science education; Assessment rubrics and social constructivist pupil learning
- Science teaching in integrated middle school programs
- The role of the science coordinator in School and school development
- Children's and teachers' perceptions and use of visualising technologies in science teaching and
- The aspirations and experiences of mature age and second career entrants to secondary teaching
Research in the Science Education area
There is a strong research tradition in science education at Melbourne. Currently staff are involved in action research in 6 Commonwealth ASSISTM projects with different school clusters interested in innovation in projects as diverse as developing bioscience teaching resources using the Peter Mac Cancer Research Unit, the development of a wet-land learnscape, girls in Physics, teaching robotics and core chemistry for the primary school. The staff are also involved in funded classroom research applied to understanding how we gain access to the unknown by thinking with scientific models. This has led to rethinking the "thought experiment" encouraging drawing and the inspired use of new 3-D visualizing technologies and real-time data imaging presented on the white board in class. The staff organize for all their research students, a peer-based thesis-writing seminar that meets weekly through the year in which they support the conception, design and conduct of teacher research in and front-line management of science education and curriculum generally. An exemplary standard of teaching and supervision is maintained.
Staff in the Science Education area
- Dr Rod Fawns BAgr.Sc M.Agr.Sc, Dip Ed, MEd PhD
- Dr Christine Redman BEd, MEd PhD
- Dr Maurizio Toscano BSc(Hons) Dip Ed PhD
Who is this program suitable for?
The subjects offered are designed to both prepare teachers for front-line curriculum management and roles in science and beyond in all systems and sectors. They also are designed to offer an excellent theoretical platform for contemporary research in studies of science teaching, professional education, pupil learning, and curriculum reform.
Key benefits of the programs
- The opportunity to participate in the rich experience of the professional and research culture of science education
- Developing frontline curriculum and School development skills
- Well organised and coherent teaching, scrutinising the central ideas shaping science education; and
- Personal experience in science education that fits, overlaps and reinforces teachers commitment to teaching and learning