Texas STEM Education Toolkit: Community Tools
The Texas Education Agency has developed tools to help districts engage with families through STEM Education programming and build awareness throughout the community by expanding learning beyond the classroom.
STEM Toolkit Instructional Video: Tips for Community Involvement in STEM
Please take a moment to provide feedback on the Community Tools.
Purpose of the Tool:
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Family Companion Guide is for caregivers, anyone who plays a parenting role, and anyone who believes children and teens deserve the best future. This guide was designed to communicate to families what STEM is, address common STEM questions and myths, and help navigate educational decisions along the path from elementary to STEM careers.
Purpose of the STEM One-pagers and Briefs
The STEM one-pagers and Briefs support an understanding of key concepts in STEM education. These resources can be used for communicating STEM concepts to students, educators, and the community.
General STEM Resources:
Project_Problem Based Learning (PDF)
Technical Reading and Writing in STEM (PDF)
STEM Framework District Template (PDF)
STEM Resources that Support the 2021 Science TEKS:
Engineering Design Process (PDF)
Engineering Design Components and Evaluation Process (PDF)
Recurring Themes and Concepts (PDF)
Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) in STEM (PDF)
STEM Resources that Support the 2022 Technology Application TEKS:
Digital Citizenship in STEM (PDF)
Practical Technology Applications in STEM Education (PDF)
Purpose of the Tool:
A PK-20 STEM continuum is used as an alignment tool for a district’s STEM experiences. The purpose of this sample continuum is to provide examples of experiences that could take place at each grade level. The continuum includes an ecosystem approach with informal and formal STEM educational experiences, STEM focused family events, and incorporates STEM stakeholders from a diverse group including STEM non-profits, STEM business/industry, STEM military programs, and institutes of higher education.
Purpose of the Tool:
The Family Engagement tool provides districts with information to consider when hosting or planning a STEM event for families. The tool also provides ideas to engage families in STEM opportunities provided at school and opportunities that can take place out of school.
Purpose of the Tool:
Students benefit from the expertise and authentic STEM experiences provided by PK-12 STEM educators, administrators, families, informal STEM education organizations, post-secondary partners, and industry partners. The following list of STEM engagement ideas provides examples of how Texas EcosySTEM members can work together as a community to engage with PK-12 students for the purpose of developing and strengthening the STEM pipeline.
Purpose of the Tool:
The STEM Event Planning Guide is a tool that can be used to assist in the planning and implementation of STEM events in a variety of settings. The guide provides an overview of considerations for planning a STEM Event. This is a general guide for STEM event planning and will need to be adapted for specific events and formats.
Michelle Sedberry
STEM Coordinator
Michelle.sedberry@tea.texas.gov