Teaching Stem Using Interdisciplinary (Integrated) Methods in Middle Years Classrooms

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
?   Display Outline Guidelines      


Effective Term: 2025/05
Institute / School :Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Unit Title: Teaching Stem Using Interdisciplinary (Integrated) Methods in
Middle Years Classrooms
Unit ID: EDMST6027
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): (EDMST6021)
ASCED: 070301
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This unit explores the rationale and research supporting approaches to teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge and concepts through interdisciplinary, problem and project-based methods. Content focuses on understanding how the principles of Design Thinking can be used to guide interdisciplinary STEM teaching and learning, and how this mirrors ‘real world’ product and process development. It also interrogates research and examples detailing successful interdisciplinary STEM teaching and investigates the nature of STEM discipline knowledge and skill development using curriculum of this design, and how this might be assessed and reported. Through practical ‘hands on’ experiences, it will model how these processes can be applied in primary and middle years classrooms.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component: No
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                        
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Demonstrate sound knowledge of interdisciplinary approaches to STEM teaching, learning and curriculum

K2.

Articulate the research foundations and rationale for interdisciplinary approaches to teaching STEM in schools

K3.

Analyse and articulate the relationship between Design Thinking and different planning and pedagogical approaches to teaching interdisciplinary STEM

K4.

Examine how interdisciplinary STEM can contribute to curriculum General Capability development

Skills:
S1.

Integrate a range of digital technologies in undertaking and presenting a personal interdisciplinary STEM micro-project

S2.

Critically reflect on the contribution multiple knowledges make to innovation and product, system or process development

S3.

Use a range of software and applications for developing a digital artefact aligned with Design Thinking principles

S4.

Exercise and model a range of '21st Century' capabilities, including collaboration, teamwork, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, coding and computational thinking

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Conduct research and develop a personal response to a STEM-related need, want or opportunity

A2.

Develop and present a research-supported and annotated infographic (or similar) outlining the rationale and arguments supporting interdisciplinary approaches to STEM teaching and learning in primary and middle schools

A3.

Develop and apply personal knowledge and capabilities to resolve structured and ill structured problems encountered during classroom and project based learning tasks

Unit Content:

Topics may include: Understanding the nature of STEM and different approaches to/interpretations of STEM Education.  Exploring the rationale and arguments supporting interdisciplinary approaches to STEM teaching and learning. What is Design Thinking, and how can it inform interdisciplinary approaches to STEM teaching and learning? Design Thinking and its role in 'real world' product and innovation development. Problem and project-based pedagogies, and interdisciplinary STEM. Coding, automation, animation, and problem-based STEM.

Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Level
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

1 - Yes
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.

1 - Yes
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.

1 - Yes
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.

1 - Yes
FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life

3 - N/A
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.K2, K4, S1, S2, S3, A2

An original, annotated, infographic, concept map or using another digital representation tool (e.g., Canva, Piktochart, Adobe Express) synthesising and reporting the key arguments and rationale supporting interdisciplinary STEM in schools. This will be shared online for assessment purposes.

Research based annotated infographic

40-50%

2.K1, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A3

A personal interdisciplinary STEM ‘micro-project’. Research, design, plan, implement and evaluate a personal interdisciplinary STEM 'micro-project' that follows a problem-based, design thinking approach.

Portfolio

50-60%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency