Graduate Diploma in Primary Science Teaching

Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Subject area

Curriculum Studies

Qualification

Check out Fees Free to see whether you are eligible for a year of fees-free study or two years industry training. Contact your provider to confirm your study options meet the criteria.

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

About the course

What can I expect out of this qualification?

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.