Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit Title	INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL SCIENCES IN PRIMARY EDUCATION
Course Unit Code	SCI100
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated	4
Learning Outcomes of the course unit	By the end of the course, the students should be able to: Describe and explain the nature of science, its values and structure as well as its characteristics. Understand and explain biology and ecology concepts from primary science education curriculum. Explain and employ scientific skills and processes in order to study / explore science concepts (within the primary education science curriculum / life and living processes: biology and ecology units). Discern the lesson planning stages for a lesson in natural sciences. Plan and implement simple research in order to explore students’ perceptions on the concepts taught and use research outcomes and data to develop and implement educational interventions for rectifying misconceptions about the taught concepts.
Mode of Delivery	Face-to-face
Prerequisites	NONE	Co-requisites	NONE
Recommended optional program components	NONE
Course Contents	-  Introduction to Science Education: Scientific method, scientific processes, teaching science through inquiry. -  Organising the science class: Collaborative learning in the natural sciences - the role  of the teacher and the students -  Life and living organisms - Plants: Seed dispersion, the functions of flowers, leaves, the root. Endemic and endangered plant species in Cyprus.  -  Life and living organisms - Animals: animal taxonomy: vertebrates and invertebrates, mammal taxonomy, animal’s adaption to their environment, protected Cyprus fauna. -  The human body: Identification and functions of body parts and systems (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, muscular, according to primary science education curriculum). Senses and the nervous system: the eye, nose, skin, ear, tongue. -  Ecology: The environment, food chain and webs, ecosystems operation and the interdependence of the living organisms. Pollution: air pollution, water pollution and solid waste. Protecting our environment. Water purification processes, solid waste management: reduce – reuse – recycle.
Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks	P. Kokkotas (2000). Teaching approaches in Natural Sciences, Typotheto, Athens. Vlahos Ι.Α., (2004) Education in the Natural Sciences through constructive theory. Gregoris Publications,
References	R. Driver et al. (2000). Constructing Natural Science Concepts. Typotheto, Athens. Spyropoulou – Katsani D. (2000). Pedagogical and teaching approaches to natural sciences. Typotheto, Athens. Michas P. (2003), Teaching Science in Primary Education, Ellinika Grammata Publications, Athens.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods	The theoretical part of the course (content of the taught concepts) is delivered by means of lectures as well as workshops following the steps of scientific investigations. Students will experiment, and work in groups in order to implement scientific investigations and experience the pedagogical approaches used in science teaching. Group assignments intend to enhance student’s opportunities for collaborative learning and provide them with basic experiences of research in the field of science teaching. Module’s activities include a visit in an EE Centre for the study of local flora or fauna (invertebrates).
Assessment methods and criteria	Lesson plan 5% Micro-teaching 1 10% Micro-Research 2 15% Test 20% Final Exam 50%
Language of instruction	Greek
Work placement(s)	NO