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The science web page provides clarification, guidance, and support to science stakeholders for the development and implementation of the K–12 science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and science graduation requirements.

Announcements

  • New Science TEKS to be Implemented in 2024-2025 School Year: During the 2020 and 2021 meetings, the State Board of Education (SBOE)Ìýapproved the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten–high school. A copy of theÌý

  • New Science Safety Courses: The science safety courses are three one-hour courses designed to provide safety guidance to elementary, middle, and high school science educators. The courses are offered as a courtesy to educators and may not provide all the science safety guidance that schools and districts find necessary to meet laws and rules.ÌýThe courses are live in the

  • Nomination Window for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST): The nomination window is now open for kindergarten- grade 6 teachers. If selected as an awardee, the applicant will receiveÌýrecognition from the President of the United States,Ìýan all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C., andÌý$10,000 to be used at the awardee’s discretion from the National Science Foundation. All eligible Texas teachers receive 25 CPE hours upon submitting a completed application. For more information, visit

Current and Upcoming Science TEKS

The links below provide access to the web-based version of the current 2017 science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students shouldÌýknow and be able to do. You can also access a PDF version of the TEKS.  The State Board of Education (SBOE)Ìýapproved the new 2021 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten–high school that will be implemented in 2024-2025.

2020-2021 New Science TEKS ResourcesÌý

The ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó has developed resources to support districts transitioning to the new science standards during the 2024-2025 implementation. The full TEKS Guide will be released during the summer of 2024.ÌýÌý

The grade-level Side by Side TEKS documents show the alignment between the 2021 TEKS and the 2017 TEKS. These documents will support educators transitioning to the newly adopted TEKS in 2024-2025.Ìý

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The K-12 content vertical alignment documents show the alignment of concepts by topic area.ÌýThe standards have been organized into four broad scientific disciplines: biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics. The K-12 Scientific and Engineering Practices and Recurring Themes and Concepts vertical alignment document shows the progression of practices and themes through the grade levels.

Purpose of the Science TEKS Resources:

The ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó has developed a collection of science resources that support the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).ÌýThese resources can be used as instructional support in the science classroom.ÌýÌý

Purpose of the ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó STEM Toolkit:

The ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó has developed a full collection of tools to support districts in developing a local STEM program aligned to the high-quality indicators identified by the state. The STEM tools are designed to support a district in planning and implementing a PK-12 STEM program aligned to theÌýTexas STEM Framework.

Purpose of this Collection of STEM One-Pagers:

The ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó has developed a collection of STEM one-pagers that supportÌýSTEM concepts in the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).ÌýThese resources can be used to communicate STEM concepts in the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to students, educators, and the community.Ìý

Safety in the Science Classroom

The Texas education agency has developed resources to support districts with science safety. In addition to ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó resources, this section includes outside resources.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for kindergarten–grade 12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The awards were established by Congress in 1983. The National Science Foundation, under the direction of the White House, approves the Texas candidates for the national award. If selected as an awardee, the applicant will receive $10,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for ceremonies that include recognition from the President of the United States.

The current cycle is for teachers of kindergarten through grade 6. In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by the PAEMST deadline will receive 25 CPE hours.

THE NOMINATION WINDOW IS NOW OPEN.

For more information, please visit theÌýÌýwebsite.

Contact Texas State PAEMST Coordinators

If you are interested in helping out for the 2023-2024 review cycle as either a mentor or a reviewer, or have any other questions please contact your Texas State PAEMST Coordinators at tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.

    Lori GarrettÌýwas selected as a 2020 science PAEMST national awardee. Mrs. Garrett teaches pre-kindergarten through grade 4 / science & enrichment at Cactus Elementary School in Dumas ISD, Cactus, TX. Additional information on the announcement for Mrs. Garrett is available on her (outside source).

    The 2020 competition recognizes grades 7 through 12 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists were recognized in September 2021 at the Texas State Board of Education meeting and are listed below:

    • Fatimah Aboueisha teaches Pre-AP Biology and Biology at Brandeis High School in the Northside ISD, San Antonio, TX
    • William Crump teaches Pre-AP and STEM Chemistry at Colleyville Heritage High School in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Colleyville, TX
    • Michelle Jedlicka teaches Physic 1 and AP Physics C at A&M Consolidated High School in the College Station ISD, College Station, TX

    The 2022 competition recognizes kindergarten through grade 6 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists in elementary science are listed below:

    • Denise Carvin teaches grade 1 at Radiant STEM Academy in Irving, TX.
    • Cheri Palmer teaches grade 5 science at iUniversity Prep in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD in Grapevine, TX.
    • Shatara White teaches grade 6 advanced placement science classes at Tomball Intermediate School in Tomball ISD in Tomball, TX.

    The 2023 competition recognizes grades 7 through 12 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists are listed below:

    • Jamie Flint teaches Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Honors Chemistry at Spring Woods High School in the Spring Branch ISD, Houston, TX
    • Krystle Moos teaches AP and Honors Chemistry at Midway High School in the Midway ISD, Waco, TX
    • Voke Ogueh teaches Fundamentals of Computer Science and AP Computer Science Principles at Hastings High School in the Alief ISD, Houston, TX

    Professional Development

    • Statewide science and STEM professional development opportunities are available at regional education service centers (ESCs) and through theÌýÌýand .
    • Contact the science specialist orÌýSTEM LeadÌýat your regional ESC for upcoming professional development opportunities.
    • Professional development opportunities are also available through Texas Environmental Education Advisory CommitteeÌýTEEAC Providers.ÌýThis network of universities, state agencies, museums, and nature centers helps ensure that teacher professional development offered by formal and non-formal providers is educationally sound and consistent with the TEKS.
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    Contact Information

    Curriculum Standards and Student Support
    (512) 463-9581

    For questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the ÈËÆÞÓÕ»ó Help Desk.

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    Science Newsletter Archive

    Math and Science Team

    Shawna Wiebusch
    Math and Science DirectorÌý

    Carla Bailey
    Elementary Science and Math Content Specialist

    Liz Baker
    Secondary Science Content Specialist

    Michelle Sedberry
    Statewide STEM Coordinator

    Julie Kuhn  Ìý
    Mathematics Achievement Academies Coordinator Ìý

    James Slack  Ìý
    Secondary Mathematics Specialist