For a little more than four years I have had the honor of serving Oklahoma's science educators and, while this role has had its challenges, I have loved getting to know teachers across the state. Together, we have worked through COVID synchronous/asynchronous schedules, implemented field tests for high quality, open educational resources for middle and high schools, updated the Oklahoma Science Framework to reflect Oklahoma educator experiences with engaging students in 3-dimensional learning, and collaborated on numerous district, regional, state, and national workshops and initiatives. I am always wowed by the passion and dedication I see in Oklahoma's teachers. Thank you for using your talents and skills to help students.

I have been offered the opportunity to serve Oklahoma in a different way. Beginning July 29th, I will be the Vice President of Educational Programs for Science Museum Oklahoma (SMO). SMO is where I fell in love with science as a child taking classes, then teaching when I worked there as an undergrad. It's where I learned the importance of engaging kids in hands-on explorations that ignite their curiosity and desire to learn more. It was during those moments that I felt the draw to formal education, so I could continue the exploration with students.

While I am excited about re-entering the informal science education space, leaving my role at the OSDE is bittersweet. I have learned so much from each of you, and I know I will carry those lessons with me as I move forward. My final day at the OSDE is Thursday, July 25th.

Serving as the State Director for Science and Engineering Education has been an immense privilege. Thank you for your trust, collaboration, and dedication to advancing science education in Oklahoma. I look forward to seeing the continued success and innovation that this remarkable community of educators will undoubtedly achieve. I hope to continue to support each of you in this endeavor, only now in the capacity of a community partner. 

While the OSDE begins looking for a new Program Manager of Science and Engineering, you can email science questions to Sharon Morgan (sharon.morgan@sde.ok.gov), Program Director of Standards and Learning. 

Thank you, 

Heather Johnston

The start of the new school year is just around the corner! Check out the following OSDE resources that can assist educators with planning for the new year. 

Oklahoma Science Framework

The Oklahoma Science Framework is full of resources for all grades and subject areas with standards. The OSDE collaborated with Oklahoma educators to develop these resources to ensure that suggested instructional strategies reflected classroom experiences. The OKSci Framework includes:

• Bundled Standards Analyses - Examples of how to group standards based on common science ideas, including a short summary of the bundled standards, student actions with corresponding teacher actions, key concepts, potential misconceptions, and links to instructional resources.
• Sample Units & Progressions - A year-long progression to highlight a sample vision for engaging students in meaningful, connected science learning. Unit samples provide examples of essential questions, phenomena, connections to prior learning, and a 3-dimensional narrative for what learning might look like in a classroom. 
• Vertical Learning Progressions - descriptions of disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices students are learning throughout their K-12 education. This is an excellent resource to quickly see the skills and ideas students have learned prior to a grade/subject and how it connects to future learning.
• Engagement Strategies - A list of instructional practices that engage students with figuring out science ideas. 

State Assessment Task Examples *NEW*

To provide teachers and students with a clearer understanding of how the state assesses the OAS-Science, the Office of Assessments has partnered with the Office of Standards and Learning to incorporate example assessment tasks with the Oklahoma Science Framework. These tasks can be found within the Bundled Standards Analyses (in the "Instructional Resources" section). 

It is important to note that not all standards have an example task and these sample items are not intended to be used for diagnostic or predictive purposes. If educators have any questions, please contact Samantha.Sheppard@sde.ok.gov, Project Manager of Science Assessments. 

OSDE Connect Module: How to Read the OAS-S

Need a little support with understanding the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science? Check out the brand online course, How to Read the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science! This is a free course hosted on the OSDE Connect platform and assists educators with understanding the different components of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OAS-S), including the three dimensions (science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts). 

This course should take about 20 minutes to complete and there is a 5-question quiz at the end. Educators may want to take notes on a printed example of a standard. Links to an example standard for this purpose are provided in the course overview.

Upon completion of this course, educators earn a 1/2 professional development credit.

Guidance: How to Unpack the OAS-Science

Educators are often tasked with unpacking standards to assist with planning instruction and evaluating student understanding. Unpacking science standards can be a little more complex as educators need to breakdown not just content, but two types of skills as well. This resource, Unpacking the OAS-Science, can guide educators with how to unpack our 3-dimensional science standards. It also includes links to supporting resources. 

Guidance: Engineering in the OAS-S

Engineering ideas and skills are integrated into the OAS-S within the life, physical and Earth and space sciences. Science standards that include engineering ideas and skills are identified with an asterisk (*) at the end of the performance expectation. The decision to integrate engineering ideas and practices into the science disciplines is not intended to encourage nor discourage the development of engineering courses. Rather, the purpose is to emphasize the key knowledge and skills that all students need in order to engage fully as workers, consumers, and citizens in 21st-century society. Providing students with a foundation in engineering allows them to better engage in and aspire to solve societal and environmental challenges they will face in the decades ahead. 

This guidance document serves as a guide to help educators better understand the role of engineering in science learning aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science. 

Guidance: Oklahoma Science Standards and Preparing Students for the ACT

In high school, all Grade 11 students take the College and Career Readiness Assessment (CCRA) for Science. Results from the CCRA can be used to inform school and district level changes to programs and curriculum. It can also help schools measure how students in a given class, school, or district are performing in relation to other students who take the same test. 

Grade 11 high school students also take the ACT. The math and ELA components of the ACT are used to assess student understanding, aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards for those subjects. The science portion of the ACT is not aligned to the OAS-S and therefore cannot be used to assess student proficiency in science. The ACT evaluates science skills, which is just one of three components of the OAS-S (science and engineering practices). 

In an effort to clarify information and showcase how the OAS-S can be used to prepare students for both exams, the OSDE has created two documents:

• Guidance and FAQs for the OAS-S and Preparing Students for the ACT
• A Crosswalk Between the OAS-Sciences' Science and Engineering Practices and the ACT Science Skills

The crosswalk document identifies similarities between the science and engineering practices (SEP) dimension of the OAS-S and the ACT science standards. The crosswalk only includes the SEP objectives that are similar to the ACT science skills. All ACT science skills are included. Educators should still reference their subject-area standards for a complete list of SEP objectives. 

This summer I had the honor of presenting at several conferences. Below you will find the slide decks for each session, along with links to any resources shared. 

Topic: Let's Talk Science! Student-Driven Discussions, session slide deck

• Description: When educators incorporate talk moves into classroom discussions, they create an environment where students feel empowered to express their thoughts and engage with each other's ideas. In this session, educators learned how structured prompts and strategies facilitate meaningful student dialogue, promote a deeper understanding of science ideas, and reveal students' thought processes.

Topic: Navigating Science Teaching, session slide deck, Google folder for session resources

• Description: In this session, we discussed the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OAS-S), including the current process of reviewing and revising the standards. We examined the various OSDE resources and supports available to teachers that assist with engaging students in science learning aligned with the OAS-S.

Topic: Transforming Student Mindsets in Science Through Practice, session slide deck, Google folder for session resources

• Description: Student mindsets affect their desire to wonder, investigate, and engage with new ideas and overcome challenges. In this session, we examined how the use of crosscutting concepts and science and engineering practices can help improve student mindsets in their ability of doing science.

Topic: Sustaining a Quality STEM Program, session slide deck, Google folder for session resources

• Description: In this session, we discussed the attributes of a quality STEM program, examined how the integration of the individual STEM subjects, engineering, and robotics can enhance student understanding and engagement, and reviewed OSDE resources and guidance that can assist with building and sustaining a quality STEM program at your school.

According to state statute, the Oklahoma Academic Standards are required to be reviewed every 6 years, in conjunction with the textbook adoption process. Teams of Oklahoma educators began reviewing the standards for science (OAS-S) this summer and will continue to review and update, as needed, through the fall. Once completed, the draft science standards will be available for public review. The 30-day, public review period will be announced via the OKSci Newsletter.

Once a draft is finalized, it will be presented to the Oklahoma State School Board for approval, then submitted to the State Legislature for final review/approval. If the standards are accepted by the State Legislature, the updated OAS-S will be implemented Fall 2026. 

If there are any questions about this review process, email Sharon.Morgan@sde.ok.gov, Program Manager of Standards and Learning.