December 2023 STEM Newsletter

Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 12/11/2023 01:40 PM CST

View as a webpage
Texas Lone Start STEM

December 2023

K–12 Stem Newsletter
girls in STEM engineer build class

Texas STEM Announcements

K–8 Technology Applications TEKS

The technology applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) consist of five strands that prepare students to be literate in technology applications by grade 8: computational thinking; creativity and innovation; data literacy, management, and representation; digital citizenship; and practical technology concepts. Communication and collaboration skills are embedded across each of the strands. 

The 2022 adopted K–8 technology applications TEKS are scheduled for implementation beginning with the 2024–2025 school year. A copy of the 2022 adopted TEKS can be found in the Texas Administrative Code.

The Texas Education Agency has developed a series of STEM one-pagers and briefs to support understanding key concepts in STEM education. The  STEM one-pagers and briefs that align with the K–8 technology applications can be found in the STEM toolkit.

STEM Toolkit Resources Released in November:

Practical Technology Applications in STEM Education (PDF)

Coding in STEM Education (PDF) 

Data Literacy in STEM (PDF)

New Technology Applications Newsletter

Based on input from educators and stakeholders, TEA has begun publication of a new technology applications newsletter. Readers may find a variety of technology applications-specific information that will be addressed throughout the year, such as–

  • the revised Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for technology applications;
  • timely topics with frequently asked questions (FAQs);
  • relevant information and useful information from external technology applications organizations; and
  • other news related to technology applications.

Click here to sign up for the new technology applications newsletter.

Texas EcosySTEM

 

Where are STEM programs of study being offered in Texas?

In 2021, TEA's Career and Technical Education (CTE) team began developing a geographic information system (GIS) platform to map out programs of study across the state. The layers show the educational regions where the different programs of study are offered. This tool can be used to assist external stakeholders in finding schools for their children, connect businesses and campuses for partnerships, or for the community to get plugged into their local EcosySTEM. 

Upcoming Events

December Mobile STEM Lab Visits:

Southwest ISD – Region 20

Leakey ISD – Region 20

January Mobile STEM Lab Visits:

Winters ISD – Region 15

Midland ISD – Region 18

San Elizario ISD – Region 19

Post ISD – Region 17
Michelle Sedberry

Contact Information

Michelle Sedberry Statewide STEM Coordinator Texas Education Agency

Texas EcosySTEM STEM Leads, Education Service Centers 

STEM Lead Contact Information

 

Texas Education Agency Curriculum Standards and Student Support For general curriculum questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.                

Help Desk Icon

STEM Newsletter Subscription

If you would like to receive this newsletter monthly, please subscribe via this link: STEM Newsletter Subscription
Mobile STEM Lab Header
Mobile Lab Visit

Learning Undefeated is our Texas Mobile STEM Lab provider that provides free mobile lab visits to public schools and has free resources for K–12 educators, ranging from hands-on activities to video content.

The Texas Mobile STEM Lab curriculum features 16 TEKS-aligned engineering challenges for K– grade 8. These model STEM activities were co-developed with TEA and designed to introduce Texas teachers and students to principles of engineering design. All hands-on activities include lesson plans, presentation slides, and rubrics.

In addition, Learning Undefeated has a library of over 50 in-classroom experiments and asynchronous lesson bundles on STEM topics, including biology, chemistry, computational thinking, environmental science, genetics & health, physics, earth and space science, and even artificial intelligence. Explore the curriculum library here. All curriculum resources are always free to teachers!
Learning Undefeated Products

Looking to showcase STEM in a new way? Learning Undefeated’s video collections include:

  • At-Home Science video experiments are designed for K–12 students to do at home using household materials.
  • STEM Rockstars' career profiles highlight a young, diverse collection of STEM professionals working in a wide variety of environments.
  • Spark 101 career exploration series has been built for the classroom, allowing students to learn how real challenges are addressed in business, government, nonprofits, and academic institutions.

New resources are always being added, so sign up for the Teacher Priority Network to be notified about the latest info, including mobile laboratory visits available for your area!
Texas STEM News Header
STEAM Night

Pasadena ISD STEM Spotlight

The Pasadena ISD Frazier Owls celebrated National STEAM Day with a collaborative event between the campus library and Harris County Public Library - Parker Williams Branch. The Storybook STEAM Day in the library included a seasonal read-aloud and an engineering design challenge to create an enclosure for Tom Turkey. 

The Storybook STEAM Day reinforced the STEM fluency skills of communication, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and resilience when working from frustration and success. Pasadena ISD extends a warm thank you to the engineering design challenge mentors, which include the Frazier teachers, the campus librarian (Ms. Palacios), the Parker Williams Branch Librarian (Ms. Deanna), and Mr. Leasure (PISD) for their help during the event.

 Steam Night

STEM Program Highlights

If you have a STEM event or program you would like to feature in the STEM newsletter; please send your information and pictures to michelle.sedberry@tea.texas.gov. 

Back to top