Science

About This Page

This page provides information on topics such as curriculum, assessment, rules, and professional development. We welcome any suggestions you may have that will improve this page for individuals working to provide high quality science programs for students. Join the science mailing list to receive updates as information becomes available.

The Division of Curriculum Standards and Student Support science team provides direction and leadership to Kindergarten (K) through grade 12 science educators in Texas. The science staff does the following:

Assists districts statewide with implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science
Facilitates the development and management of state-funded professional development programs
Collaborates with the Division of Student Assessment in the development of state science assessments
Assists the Division of Instructional Materials in overseeing the adoption process for grades K-12 science instructional materials
Reviews state certifications related to science
In addition, the science staff coordinates the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC), National Youth Science Camp (NYSC), and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Science staff also provides on-going communication with the field related to science curriculum and graduation requirements found in Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

Announcements

The State Board of Education (SBOE) gave final approval on April 21, 2017 to the streamlined science TEKS for K-8 science and four high school science courses. The streamlined TEKS are now implemented. The link to the streamlined science TEKS can be found on http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/index.html.

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 K-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. For more information, please visit www.paemst.org.

The next cycle will be for teachers of grade 7 through 12.In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by the PAEMST deadline, will receive 25 CPE hours. For questions, contact your Texas State PAEMST Coordinators at tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.

Texas needs you. If you are ineligible to apply but have the experience and interest to help out, you can become a reviewer or a mentor. Reviewers typically see about five applications from the best math, science, engineering, and computer science teachers around the state. Mentors typically support two or three of these teachers. Training is available for both positions. If you are interested in helping out for the 2022-2023 review cycle, please contact your Texas State PAEMST Coordinators at tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.

PAEMST National Awardees Announced for Science

Lori Garrett was 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 the PAEMST website (outside source).

PAEMST Texas State Finalists for 2021

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

PAEMST Texas State Finalists for 2022

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.

2019 National Youth Science Camp Delegates

Two outstanding science students were selected to represent Texas as 2019 National Youth Science Camp Delegates.

Gabriela Gonzalez of Tom C. Clark High School in Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, and Melanie Che of the Texas Academy of Math and Science in Denton have been named as Texas delegates.

The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is a residential science education program that honors and challenges two graduating high school science students from each state. At this camp scientists from across the nation present lectures and hands-on science seminars and linger to interact informally with student delegates.

Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. Opportunities are provided for delegates to present seminars covering their own areas of interest and research. A visit to Washington D.C. permits delegates to visit some of the nation’s premier scientific, governmental, and cultural facilities

Gabriela Gonzales and Melanie Che will be flown to the National Youth Science Camp to participate in this innovative educational program.

More information is available online at www.nysf.com and www.nysc.org.

Professional Development

Statewide professional development opportunities on science topics are available now at regional education service centers (ESCs) and through the Texas Gateway.

Contact the science specialist at your regional ESC for upcoming professional development opportunities.

Professional development opportunities are available through the statewide network of TEEAC Providers.

This 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.

Documents

The following documents are provided as a reference for science teachers.

Data and Research (PDF, 90KB)
Laboratory and Field Investigations – FAQ, August 2010 (PDF, 203KB)
Chemical Safety 2016 (PDF, 265KB)
Safety Information and Resources (PDF, 227KB)
Texas Education Agency Safety Laws and Rules (PDF, 222KB)
Texas Education Agency Science Facilities Best Practices (PDF, 38MB)
Texas Education Agency Texas Safety Standards (PDF, 20MB)
Facilities Funding and Standards

Print