Science

The Science TEKS Guide is a teacher-support resource designed to provide a consistent and clear interpretation of the science TEKS so that all science educators in Texas have the same understanding of the standards. Use the drop-down menus in the TEKS Guide to select Science and a grade level or course.

• TEKS Guide
• TEKS Guide 101 slide deck
• TEKS Guide 101 recording

The grade-level Side by Side TEKS documents show the alignment between the 2021 TEKS and the 2017 TEKS, including language added or removed from the standards and notes about where content moved.  These assist educators in determining which instructional materials may still be helpful and which may be helpful at a different grade level. 

• Kindergarten Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 1 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 2 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 3 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 4 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 5 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 6 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 7 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Grade 8 Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Biology TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Integrated Physics and Chemistry TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Chemistry TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Physics TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Environmental Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Earth Systems Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Aquatic Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)
• Astronomy Science TEKS Side by Side (PDF)

TEKS in Focus spotlights concepts or student expectations monthly to bolster TEKS alignment, rigor, and collective understanding. It does not suggest an order or timing but helps with comprehension of TEKS changes, serving as a guide when relevant to classroom instruction. 

• TEKS in Focus: Scientific and Engineering Practices
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment Physical and Chemical Properties
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment Physical and Chemical Change
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment of Mixtures
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment of Forms of Energy
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment of Energy Transfer
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment of Force and Motion
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment of Weather and Climate
• TEKS in Focus: Vertical Alignment of Structure and Function

The K–12 content vertical alignment documents show the alignment of concepts by topic area. The 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.

• K–12 Scientific and Engineering Practices and Recurring Themes and Concepts Vertical Alignment (Excel) 
• K–12 Biology Vertical Alignment (PDF)
• K–12 Earth and Space Science Vertical Alignment (PDF)
• K–12 Chemistry Vertical Alignment (PDF)
• K–12 Physics Vertical Alignment (PDF)

• Recurring Themes and Concepts Posters 8.5x11 and 18x24 (PDF)
• Recurring Themes and Concepts Question Prompts (PDF)
• Recurring Themes and Concepts Prompt Card (PDF)

Purpose of the TEA STEM Toolkit:

The Texas Education Agency 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 the Texas STEM Framework.

• STEM Toolkit Home Page
• STEM Planning Toolkit
• STEM Implementation Toolkit
• STEM Community Toolkit

Purpose of this Collection of STEM One-Pagers:

The Texas Education Agency has developed a collection of STEM one-pagers that support STEM concepts in the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). These resources can be used to communicate STEM concepts in the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to students, educators, and the community. 

• Engineering Design Process (PDF)
• Engineering Design Components and Evaluation Process (PDF)
• Recurring Themes and Concepts (PDF)
• Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) (PDF)

Voke Ogueh, for her work as a computer science teacher at Hastings High School, Alief ISD, in Houston, TX. Additional information on the announcement for Mrs. Garrett is available on her PAEMST website profile (outside source).

Shatara White, for her work as a grade 6 science teacher at Tomball Intermediate in Tomball ISD, Tomball, TX. Additional information on the announcement for Mrs. Garrett is available on her PAEMST website profile (outside source).

Fatimah Fotouh Aboueisha, for her work as a biology teacher at Brandeis High School in Northside ISD, San Antonio, TX. Additional information on the announcement for Mrs. Garrett is available on her PAEMST website profile (outside source).

In Texas, the 2024–2025 application cycle concluded in March, and a review committee selected three finalists in mathematics and three finalists in science. These finalists will proceed to the national review, from which the 2024–2025 national awardees will be selected.

The following three educators are the Texas science finalists for 2024–2025:

• Jamie Flint, Chemistry and AP Chemistry teacher at Spring Woods High School in Spring Branch ISD, Houston, Texas
• William Howard, AP Biology and dual credit Biology teacher at Tyler Legacy High School in Tyler ISD, Tyler, Texas
• Tiffany Syfert, Physics, AP Physics, and Engineering and Design teacher at Highland Park High School in Highland Park ISD, Dallas, Texas

The 2023–2024 competition recognized kindergarten through grade 6 mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom. The Texas state finalists are listed below:

• Amber Chalmers, grade 5 science teacher at Houston Elementary School in Lancaster ISD, Lancaster, Texas
• Kaya Jones, kindergarten through grade 5 teacher at Christie Elementary School in  Plano ISD, Plano, Texas
• Lindsey Leiker, grade 4 teacher at Carolyn and Vernon Madden Elementary School in the Fort Bend ISDO, Sugar Land, Texas