Stockholm university
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Early Childhood Education focusing on Science and Education for Sustainability

This course provides theories on children’s learning in science. It covers concepts and theories relating to science phenomena and sustainable development.

Children´s hands in a circle holding plants
Photo: Mostphotos/Yana Tatevosian

The course has an exploratory, project-oriented approach. Pedagogical documentation is used as a tool for recording children’s questions and actions, and for planning, analysing, and evaluating teaching activities related to the topics of the course. The significance of the teaching environment and material for children’s exploration is at focus and aesthetic forms of expression are used to understand, communicate and create knowledge.

The course is offered for international exchange students, students from the Program in Early Childhood Education as well as students who have applied for the course as a free standing (single subject) course.

 

 

 

  • Course structure

    The course is offered spring and autumn semesters.

    Study pace: Full time studies, 100%.

    The course consists of two modules:

    • Early Childhood Educational Perspective on Science and Education for Sustainability and
    • Subject Learning and Teaching on Science and Education for Sustainability.

     

    Modules

    The following topics are covered in the course module Early Childhood Educational Perspective on Science and Education for Sustainability (8 credits):

    • scientific exploration in preschools using project-based work, aesthetic forms of expression and outdoor teaching activities;
    • sustainable development from the perspective of early childhood education;
    • the teaching environment and the significance of materials for children’s scientific exploration and meaning-making;
    • pedagogical documentation as a tool for highlighting children’s thoughts and ideas about scientific phenomena and sustainable development;
    • communicating science and sustainability by means of aesthetic expressions, play and digital tools.

    The following topics are covered in the course module Subject Learning and Teaching on Science and Education for Sustainability (4 credits):

    • basic scientific and technological terminology, models and theories, with a special focus on ecology, natural cycles and sustainable development;
    • basic terminology concerning chemical processes and physical phenomena;
    • learning for sustainable development and different forms of participation;
    • outdoor didactic approaches with focus on science.

    Teaching format

    Instruction is given in the form of lectures, seminars, supervision sessions, laboratory work, and excursions, as well as via the learning and collaboration platform Athena.

    Specified teaching sessions are mandatory. Absence must be compensated for as described in the study guide.

    Study Guide

    The Study Guide for the course will be published at the latest one month prior to the course start.

    Study Guide UB313F ECE focusing on Science and Education for Sustainability_ Spring 2024_240110 (397 Kb)

    Course literature valid from the spring semester 2024 (197 Kb)

    Study Guide autumn semester 2024 (to be published at the latest one month prior to course start)

     

    Assessment

    Forms of examination

    • The course module Early Childhood Educational Perspective on Science and Education for Sustainability is examined on the basis of an individual paper focusing (grading A-F) and an oral group presentation (grading G-U).
    • The course module Subject learning and teaching in Science and Education for Sustainability is examined on the basis of an individual reflection on seminars (grading G-U).

    In order to pass the course, students must at least receive grade E or G on all examinations, complete all assignments as per the course description (study guide) and complete all obligatory attendance.

    For details and deadlines regarding examinations please see the study guide for the relevant semester.

    Next opportunity for re-examination

    The next opportunity for re-examination is April 25th.

    The assignment is handed in via the course page in Athena in the re-examination folder under resources.The folder will open April 10th 2024 and the deadline to hand in the re-examination is April 25th.

    Students that were enrolled before the spring semester 2024 need to email the course administrator at the latest April 3rd 2024. This is necessary in order to get access to the Athena page in time for the re-examination.

     

    Examiner

    Spring semester 2024:Emilie Moberg

    Autumn semester 2024:Emilie Moberg

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.

    The course is offered the following periods

    Spring semester 2024 January 15th until March 4th 

    Schedule (Preliminary until one month prior to the course start)

    Autumn semester 2024 September 2nd until October 20th

    Schedule (To be published at the latest one month prior to the course start)

     

     

  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

    The course literature will be published at the latest two months prior to the course start.

    Due to technical issues, the course literature list that is valid from the spring semester 2024, that you can see below may look strange. A correctly formated version is available above under the headline "Course structure" next to the study guide. The course literature list is also available via the study platform Athena.

  • Course reports

  • More information

    Combine courses to study a full semester

    Please note that it is possible to combine with the two following courses in order to study a full semester (30 ECTS) focusing on science, technology, education for sustainable development, mathematics and explorative learning in the context of early childhood education.

    Early Childhood Education: Explorative Learning, 6 credits (ECTS)

    Early Childhood Education Focusing on Mathematics and Technology, 12 credits (ECTS)

    How to apply

    Application - a Step by Step Guide

    It is important that you docucment your eligibility and language proficiency in your application. You can find more information at universityadmissions.se:

    Documenting eligibility

    Documenting English proficiency

    Exchange students

    Please note that exchange students apply according to a separate routine.

    Anmälan till kursen för dig som läser Förskollärarprogrammet

    Studenter inom Förskollärarprogrammet som vill läsa den engelska terminen anmäler sig till kursen/kurserna via institutionen. Informationsmöte om detta hålls i anslutning till undervisning under termin två.

    Studying at Stockholm University

    New student at Stockholm University

    Welcome activities for new students

    Academic writing service

    Stockholm University Library

     

    Directions

    Please note that the lectures/seminars will take place at serveral different areas of the Stockholm University campus. Please take the time to check directions before the lectures.

    In most cases you have lectures at the Department of Child and Youth Studies. See directions to the Department of Child and Youth Studies.

    You will also have a few lectures at the Department of Teaching and Learning.
    See directions to the Department of Teaching and Learning

  • Meet us

    Meet our students

    Meet the exchange student Nagomi Sugiyama from Japan

    Nagomi was studying courses in Early Childhood Education during the fall semester 2020 at the Department of Child and Youth Studies.

    Nagomi Sugiyama
    Nagomi Sugiyama

    Read the interview with Nagomi

    My experiences as an exchange student at the Department of Child and Youth Studies

    The exchange student Deborah Suter from Switzerland was studying courses in Early Childhood Education during fall semester 2018 at The Department of Child and Youth Studies. Read about her experiences.

    Deborah Suter sitting on a small bridge. Photo: Deborah Suter.
    Photo: Deborah Suter.

    Read the whole travel report

  • Contact

    If you have questions regarding the content of the course please contact the teacher responsible for the course.

    If you have administrative questions regarding admissions, registration, registration of grades, the learning and collaboration platform Athena etc. please contact the course administrator.

    Course leder and examiner: Emilie Moberg, email: emilie.moberg@buv.su.se

    Course administrator: Malin Håkansson, e-mail: malin.hakansson@buv.su.se