Students currently use evidence to support scientific conclusions. The science TEKS to be implemented in 2024 expand student expectations to include using evidence as engineers to support claims about their solutions, such as how they meet criteria and constraints, budget, efficiency, or longevity.  Students should consider the purpose of their argument and ensure that the evidence they use effectively supports the claim. Are students using evidence to explain a phenomenon or to justify why their design is the most effective? Key to distinguishing scientific practice from engineering design is the purpose of the work; scientists explain phenomena, and engineers design solutions to problems to positively impact society.  

 Both scientists and engineers rely on evidence to support claims made during scientific argumentation. Scientific argumentation is the process of respectfully discussing and debating claims based on evidence. Scientific progress is made when scientists critique each other's interpretation of data, and the scientific community comes to a consensus about a topic. It is through this debate and discussion that scientific ideas, theories, and laws are acknowledged and accepted.  Engineers engage in argumentation with their design team as a tool to improve their designs and document the effectiveness of their products. An engineering design team may use arguments about cost-effectiveness, risk, aesthetics, and user preferences to select design elements for their solution. 

To create the conditions for respectful discussion and debate, it is important to develop norms and model processes that place emphasis on claims using evidence. Stating claims with emphasis on evidence helps remove bias, thus encouraging healthy argumentation. Sentence frames and organizers, such as a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning model, can provide scaffolded support. In addition, it is helpful to create an explicit culture where classmates may critique ideas and interpretations of data but not people.

The Substitutions and Content Updates webpage has been updated with requests by Proclamation 2024 publishers to update content in their adopted science materials. 

The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed content changes. (NOTE: If you experience difficulties downloading this form, please check that Adobe is selected as your default PDF program. If you still have trouble opening the form, open your Downloads folder, right-click on the form, and select Open with Adobe Acrobat.) 

Please submit an Instructional Materials Help Desk ticket if you need assistance. 

TEA seeks educators and subject-matter experts across Texas to serve as instructional materials reviewers for the new IMRA review process.  

Selected reviewers will earn extra income while making a statewide impact. Reviewers will work in small teams to conduct quality reviews and collaborate with other educators to produce ratings and reports for assigned reading language arts, phonics, and mathematics products.   

If you or your colleagues want to participate in the IMRA review process, please apply today! To learn more about the IMRA process, visit our website.  

A Time Before Texas is an online exhibit exploring cutting edge science and ancient wisdom to help students imagine what life was like for the first people to call Texas home 16,000–10,000 years ago. Presented videos and activities cover a wide range of cross-curricular concepts in science, social studies, and language arts. This online exhibit introduces students to the science of archaeology and a variety of related STEM career opportunities. The concepts and information in this exhibit were primarily developed with middle school audiences in mind but can be adapted for upper elementary though high school students.  

In addition to the education guide and downloadable activities, in partnership with Texas Science & Natural History Museum, TxDOT and Humanities Texas, MuseWork Exhibits will provide a FREE three-hour virtual professional development training (3 TEA-approved CPE hours) to help educators navigate the resources. For more information and to register for the PD please visit our website.  

The Gulf Research Program is seeking proposals that engage children and youth in place-based educational activities that foster the development of scientific and environmental skills, competencies, and capabilities critical to solving complex issues in the Gulf now and in the future.  Proposals will be accepted that support educational, service, and/or coordination activities for K-8 children and youth.  Applications close April 10, 2024 @ 5pm EST.