Science Newsletter

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Today's newsletter provides information related to:

• K-8 Science TEKS Available Now
• PAEMST Updates

K-8 Science TEKS Available Now

Elementary and middle school science TEKS, adopted 2021, are now available on the TEA website

The State Board of Education gave final approval to the kindergarten-grade 8 science TEKS on December 1, 2021.  The newly adopted TEKS are available in PDF form on the following webpage: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/science-teks-review

The TEKS will undergo additional copyediting and will become effective 20 days after being published by the Texas Register.  Their implementation in Texas classrooms is scheduled for the 2024-2025 school year.

PAEMST Updates

2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

The 2021-2022 review of applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program is complete. This year’s cohort included teachers of kindergarten through grade 6 mathematics and science.  Three finalists each in mathematics and science were chosen to represent Texas in the national review, from which one science and one mathematics teacher will be chosen as the 2021-2022 awardee.

The 2023 competition is scheduled to open in August for teachers who teach math, science, computer science, or engineering in grades 7 - 12. In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by the deadline will earn 25 hours of CPE credit. For more information, teachers can visit www.paemst.org or email tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov.

The PAEMST awards are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics, science, computer science, engineering, technology applications, and math- or science-related career and technical education courses. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Since 1983, more than 4,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Awardees also join an active network of outstanding educators from throughout the nation.

The three science finalists for 2021-2022 are:

• Denise Carvin, 1^st grade teacher at Radiant STEM Academy in Irving, Texas
• Cheri Palmer, 5^th grade science teacher at iUniversity Prep, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, in Grapevine, Texas
• Shatara White, 6^th grade science teacher at Tomball Intermediate School, Tomball ISD, in Tomball, Texas

Lori Garrett has been named the 2020 Texas PAEMST national awardee for science.

Lori Garrett

2020 Elementary Science Awardee

Dumas ISD

Dumas, Texas

For questions, contact tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov or 512-463-9581.

Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.

Science Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
curriculum@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581