Qualification Overview

Qualification Title Graduate Diploma in Primary Science Teaching
Qualification Type Graduate Diploma
Level 7
Credits 120
Subject Area
  • Education » Curriculum and Education Studies » Curriculum Studies
Strategic Purpose Statement
The Graduate Diploma in Primary Science Teaching is designed primarily for in-service primary school teachers. It fulfils the need for increased science teaching capabilities across the schools sector to increase the number of school students proceeding through into science and technology specialisations thus contributing to the government agenda for increased innovation and entrepreneurship. The programme responds to needs identified by the professional community and employment bodies, most notably:
Increased teacher confidence in their science content knowledge and understanding of the nature of science.
Improved capability to respond to science teaching challenges, including bicultural and multicultural contexts, and the changing technological landscape.
Improved capability to exert leadership to sustain improvements in science teaching and the contribution of science to society.
The programme takes the perspective that science can be fun. It models the process of learning science by doing science and encourages critical insight into the effectiveness with which science concepts and principles are embedded into learning experiences. Through the programme practising teachers will become more confident of their science knowledge, and their ability to design and deliver learning experiences that support and inspire students to investigate and understand science knowledge and concepts. The programme enables research informed practice, encourages participation in practice-based research, and develops the ability to respond to contextual challenges and champion science within and beyond the school. Through the programme students have an opportunity to engage with and contribute to research on effective science teaching, and to explore potential responses to the issues of their context and the broader issues of science teaching in its social context.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this programme and awarded this qualification will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of science that underpins aspects of the NZ science curriculum relevant to their students.
Discuss aspects of the nature of science, its relevance to society and to science teaching.
Assess the effectiveness with which particular learning experiences address fundamental science concepts and understandings about the nature of science.
Design and deliver learning experiences that support and inspire students to understand science knowledge and concepts.
Outline the foundations of alternative approaches to the teaching of science and justify the choice of approach in a particular context
Identify and prioritise challenges and opportunities in science teaching, and devise strategies to meet the most significant of these in a particular context
Contribute to the field of practice-based research in science teaching
Advocate for effective science teaching and be a positive change agent within the school and beyond
Education pathways
Achievement of the Graduate Diploma in Primary Science Teaching could encourage a graduate to enrol in a Master of Education
Employment pathways
Achievement of the Graduate Diploma in Primary Science Teaching may enable the graduate to increase their employment opportunities by being a specialist in science teaching.To find out more about employment opportunities click on the CareersNZ logo, then the provider who offers this qualification.
Entry Requirements
Applicants to the programme must:
Hold a bachelor degree or a diploma and experience considered equivalent to a bachelor degree..
Be registered and working as a practising teacher in a New Zealand intermediate, or primary school.

Applicants must also have:
a statement from their Principal that they have the support of relevant members of the school staff and/or community to integrate their studies with workplace practices, and ongoing access to a class of students to support relevant workplace learning and assessment activities
Developed By Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Quality Assured By New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Number 1724
Status Discontinued
Created 2011-11-09 14:36:22.0
Next Review 2016-10-06 00:00:00.0

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Matauranga Maori Qualification

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