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)

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 her PAEMST website profile (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

The 2024 competition recognizes 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 teaches grade 5 science at Houston Elementary School in the Lancaster ISO, Lancaster, TX
• Kaya Jones teaches kindergarten through grade 5 students at Christie Elementary School in the Plano ISO, Plano, TX
• Lindsey Leiker reaches grade 4 at Carolyn and Vernon Madden Elementary School in the Fort Bend ISO, Sugar Land, TX