Science

The Science landing page maintained by the Ohio Department of Education has subject-specific detailed information related to the Ohio's Learning Standards, model curriculum, resources and assessments.

Learning Standards

The Learning Standards webpage for Science contains substantial foundational information pertaining to understanding the Science standards, including information on the last revision process, instructional supports, curriculum analysis, and instructional implications.

The current Ohio Science learning standards were adopted in 2018/19. The PDF of the standards is available on the site; if you would like a spreadsheet version, it can be downloaded here: 2019 Science Standards

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Instructional Implications

The Instructional Implications documents in science were designed to help teachers understand any changes in focus of the standards at their grade level. Choose a grade level and determine what the major instructional implications of the new standards would be.

Model Curriculum

The Model Curriculum/Instructional Supports offers local educators in-depth guidance about groups or clusters of Ohio’s Learning Standards. It also explains related skills and knowledge students are to learn in each grade and course. The purpose of Ohio’s model curriculum is to provide clarity to the standards, as well as information to assist educators in planning and implementing their local curricula. The model curriculum is not a complete curriculum nor is it mandated for use. The model curriculum for science includes these components:

Components of the Model Curriculum

  • Introduction to the Content Standards

  • Introduction to Nature of Science

  • Expectations for Learning

  • Resources for Teachers

    • Equity/Diverse Learners

    • Connections Across Disciplines

    • Common Misconceptions

    • Vocabulary

    • Resources to Use with Students

Resources

The Resources webpage for Science contains a vast array of resources, including virtual meet-ups recordings, science to do at home, lab safety resources, vertical alignment resources, and resources from outside entities.

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Resources from Outside Entities

Review some of the resources from the list of outside entities, which one looks most helpful to you?

Assessments

The Assessments webpage for Science contains a general overview outlining the different purposes of formative versus summative assessments, and then continues to house many of the same resources which can also be found in the Ohio's Assessment System portal. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with both portals so you can quickly and easily refer educators in the field to the assessment-related resources they may find valuable.

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Formative vs. Summative Assessment

What does the Science Assessment page say about the differences between formative and summative assessment?

Name a professional organization that provides a resource on ODE's science page.

cK-12, Concord Consortium, The Cornell Lab, FLINN Scientific, Ohio Division of Wildlife, NSTA

What is the nature of science?

The understanding of how the scientific process works and that it's not a linear flow of information.