Students

EDST1510 – Understanding Science and Mathematics for Primary Teachers

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Bronwyn Tregenza
bronwyn.tregenza@mq.edu.au
Contact via Please contact me via direct email if your query cannot be answered by Service Connect or via iLearn announcements and forums.
25B Wally's Walk, Level 6, Rm 642
Convenor
Susan Busatto
susan.busatto@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
25B Wally's Walk, Level 6, Rm 608
by appt only
Tutor
Judith Eastman
judith.eastman@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Shirley Casper
shirley.casper@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Fiona Grant
fiona.grant@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Katelyn Williamson
katelyn.williamson@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Garry Jones
garry.jones@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Bridgeen Pritchard
bridgeen.pritchard@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit contributes to the development of background knowledge and skills related to some of the ‘big ideas’ of science and mathematics, particularly those with common alternative conceptions. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how models and theories are used as evidence to inform their perspectives and views, and how technologies have been used to develop understandings in science and mathematics.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Understand key science and mathematics concepts.
  • ULO2: Apply scientific experimental design and mathematical thinking.
  • ULO3: Identify and explain common alternative science and mathematics conceptions.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate scientific and mathematical literacy by communicating with clarity and fluency in a range of forms and for a variety of purposes.
  • ULO5: Identify the role of technologies in the fields of science and mathematics.
  • ULO6: Engage in independent and collaborative learning while learning about the ‘big ideas’ of science and mathematics.

General Assessment Information

General Submission Information

All written assessments must be submitted electronically. Please format assessments using 12-point font and 1.5 spacing. Submissions must meet the required file type and formatting specifications outlined in the assessment guidelines. If you are unsure about the file format or have technical difficulties, it is your responsibility to seek assistance before the submission deadline. Students should be careful to check that they submit the correct file for an assessment as no re-submissions will be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file. It is not the responsibility of unit staff to contact students who have failed to submit assessments. If you have any missing items of assessment, it is your responsibility to contact the unit convenor.

Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that their submitted work is in a format compatible with Turnitin software for plagiarism checking. Students can use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing if this option is made available in the unit.  
 
Word limits are strictly applied, with + or – 10% applicable. Work above the word limit will not be marked

Academic Integrity

Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic integrity (see: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=3).

Artificial Intelligence

Special Consideration / Late Penalties

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.   

Important to note:

  • Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
  • Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).
  • Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

University Policy on Grading

Assignments will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading System and University Assessment Policy.

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed because they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit Service Connect.

Withdrawing from this unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice via Service Connect before doing so as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following sessions and may impact your course progression.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Design task 50% No 04/09/2026 Individual Yes Open
Digital Resource to address mathematics concept 50% No 30/10/2026 Individual No Open

Design task

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 04/09/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Identify, design and test a resource for a colleague to use that counters a common alternative science conception
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand key science and mathematics concepts.
  • Apply scientific experimental design and mathematical thinking.
  • Identify and explain common alternative science and mathematics conceptions.
  • Demonstrate scientific and mathematical literacy by communicating with clarity and fluency in a range of forms and for a variety of purposes.
  • Engage in independent and collaborative learning while learning about the ‘big ideas’ of science and mathematics.

Digital Resource to address mathematics concept

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 30/10/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Create a mind map of the potential mathematics concepts embedded in a given realistic context. They demonstrate their understanding of how these concepts are related, describing the important mathematical knowledge, skills, language. Student explication of this mind map to consider the possible alternate conceptions for the identified content based on research. Students solve the problem, using the Working Like a Mathematician approach.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand key science and mathematics concepts.
  • Apply scientific experimental design and mathematical thinking.
  • Identify and explain common alternative science and mathematics conceptions.
  • Demonstrate scientific and mathematical literacy by communicating with clarity and fluency in a range of forms and for a variety of purposes.
  • Identify the role of technologies in the fields of science and mathematics.
  • Engage in independent and collaborative learning while learning about the ‘big ideas’ of science and mathematics.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Information about the unit iLearn site   

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/index.php. You will need to enter your student username and password. 

Please do NOT contact the Unit Convenor regarding iLearn technical help. Assistance is available from IT Helpdesk: via email onehelp@mq.edu.au or Ph: 9850 4357 or 1800 67 4357. On Campus: Ground floor at 18 Wally’s Walk. 

The lectures for weeks 1 to 6 are delivered live each Tuesday at 5:00pm in the Lotus Theatre, 27 Wally's Walk. Lectures for weeks 7 to 12 are recorded and available through Echo 360.

Tutorials across the week are located in the freshly renovated 12SW 218. 

Infrequent days will be held on Saturday 29 August, Saturday 19 September and 17th October in 12SW 218. Students should be in the room ready to start by 9:00am and should remain until the 5:00pm conclusion so that all activities undertaken with students in Weekly Face to Face mode can be covered in the three days.

The first six weeks of semester are devoted to the study of Science and the second six weeks cover Mathematics.

There is no set text for this unit. Weekly readings can be accessed online via Leganto and are usually linked in the iLearn modules.

Unit Schedule

  • Week 1  - What is Science?
  • Week 2  - Matter
  • Week 3  - Energy
  • Week 4  - Material Properties
  • Week 5  - Forces and Motion
  • Week 6  - Adaptation
  • Week 7  - What is Mathematics?
  • Week 8  - Place Value, Addition, Subtraction
  • Week 9  - Multiplication and Division
  • Week 10 - Fractions, Decimals, Measurement
  • Week 11 - Geometric Measure
  • Week 12 - Chance and Data

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

School of Education Procedures

In addition, the following policies and procedures for the Macquarie School of Education apply to this unit.

Academic Progression Policy 

This unit is a part of a professional course listed on Schedules 2 and 3 of the Academic Progression Policy. This course has additional requirements that are applicable for the full duration of the course, including course-specific Inherent Requirements, Fitness to Practice requirements and other compulsory course requirements. It also has rigorous academic progression standards. Inability to meet these requirements may result in a withdrawal of offer of admission and/or permanent exclusion from the course in accordance with the General Coursework Rules.

Communication

It is the student’s responsibility to check all electronic communication on a weekly basis.  Communication may occur via:

  • Official MQ Student Email Address
  • The Dialogue function on iLearn
  • Other iLearn communication functions

Attendance and Participation 

See the University timetable for information about when classes begin in this unit. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au). Students are required to attend the tutorial in which they are enrolled. Any changes to tutorial enrolments must be completed officially through e-Student. Please do not contact the unit convenor to request a change.  
 
There is an attendance requirement in this unit. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degrees must ensure that teacher education students meet unit learning outcomes, course learning outcomes and the Graduate level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Since units are within an accredited ITE degree, Macquarie School of Education is required to demonstrate these outcomes and standards have been taught, practised and assessed. To meet ‘taught, practiced and assessed’ accreditation requirements, ITE units have mandatory attendance, with an expectation of at least 80% attendance at tutorials. Please see your unit iLearn site for details of how to meet attendance requirements in this unit. 

Infrequent Attendance Students

Information about the dates of the on-campus sessions can be found in the university timetable. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au)

  • The on campus sessions are essential to student engagement and learning and attendance is expected.Failure to attend or not to have an approved Special Consideration may result in a Fail grade.
  • Prior to the on campus sessions, students should have read the prescribed readings and listened to the lectures, summarise the main points, and make notes of the key terms and definitions. Prepare any discussion questions of your own that you wish to share.
  • Please make effective use of the online component of the unit and access iLearn regularly. Keep up to date with listening to the lectures on a weekly basis.
  • Further details and any updates about times and locations will be posted on iLearn as an Announcement during first half of the semester.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Communication about assessment tasks

All questions related to assessment tasks should be asked via the Assessment Forum for the specific task so that all students have access to the same advice and information. Do not ask your tutor in class or email the Convenor or Teaching Staff about assessment task instructions.

When using discussion forums:

  • Make the title of your question specific and detailed so we all know exactly what it is about
  • Ask clarifying questions about the task
  • Before posing a question, read through all the previously posted questions as your question may have already been answered
  • Remember that anything you post will be sent to 160 people so post only what will help all students complete the task
  • Only respond to other people's questions with a suggested answer or solution
  • Problems or concerns should be communicated privately
  • This discussion forum will be moderated and threads that do not adhere to these guidelines will be deleted
  • Individual students will be contacted by email to explain why a question they posted was delete

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Please note the contact details for Macquarie University's Wellbeing Team.

If the Unit Convenor becomes aware that you are experiencing particularly challenging circumstances, she will seek your consent to submit a CareMQ report so that the Wellbeing Team are alerted and will reach out to contact you.

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook