KSDE STEM - Science Program Manager: Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov
Embedded Files
NOTE: KSDE Website was updated in July! Find Science Resources here:
https://www.ksde.gov/student-success/resources-by-subject-area/science/science-educator-resources
If you can't find a resource you need, please reach out to stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov.
September Focus Fundamental:
September Focus Fundamental:
Standards Alignment
Standards Alignment
Science Standards are 3 Dimensional
Science Standards are 3 Dimensional
The science standards are written as performance expectations, the integrated task students should be able to do when they have "mastered" the standard. Every standard includes a way of doing science, content knowledge, and a framing for the way we think about and descirbe scientific phenomena,
Every science standard includes:
Science and engineering practices: This is how we DO science.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: This is scientific KNOWLEDGE.
Cross Cutting Concpets: These are the ways we THINK about science.
All three parts of the science standards are equally important, progress in complexitiy from K-12, and are necessary for student sensemaking. Quality Science Instruction integrates all three dimensions throughout instruction and assessment.
Making Sense of the Standards
The three-dimensionality of the science standards makes these the most complex standards.
To support the work of standards aligned intruction and assessment a team of teachers from Kansas have unpacked the science standards.
For each standard we have:
Identified the key experiences (SEP), ideas (DCI), and concepts (CCC) that students need to be proficient
Identified the new skills (SEP) and ways of thinking (CCC) that students need for each grade-band
Identified the foundational knowledge that will support students in moving from one grade level to the next
Added notes as needed to add additional clarity to standards
Included the above and below grade level expectations
Additional information included in elementary unpacked standards:
Key vocabulary
Connections to math & ELA standards
Physical Science/Physics Unpacked Standards
Middle School Science (6-8) (NEW!!!)
**Draft of elementary unpacked standards available -- will be finalized soon!
Opportunities from KSDE
Opportunities from KSDE
Monthly Virtual Collaboration
Monthly Virtual Collaboration
Science Teachers: Learn & Connect
Science Teachers: Learn & Connect
Join us for a monthly virtual opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate with other Kansas science educators. Each month we'll share information about a topic related to science and the fundamentals of school improvement, followed by conversation, questions, and sharing ideas with colleagues from across the state.
New to teaching science? New science teachers are invited to join us 30 minutes early to connect with our KSDE New Science Teacher PLC. This is an opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with other educators who are navigating their first few years of teaching science. We welcome teachers in the first 3 years of teaching!
Register here: bit.ly/KSDEsciLnC
Science Leaders: Research to Practice
Science Leaders: Research to Practice
Meet with fellow science leaders (curriculum leaders, instructional coaches, building and district leadership) to explore research, connect with colleagues, and consider implications for practice.
Each session will begin with a brief overview of a research article or body of research focused a fundamental for school improvement in science, followed by conversation and collaboration around what the research might mean for our schools, teachers, and students.z
Register here: bit.ly/KSDEsciR2P
October Article: What does a national survey tell us about progress towards the vision of the NGSS?
Science Instructional Materials Selection Support
Science Instructional Materials Selection Support
Three virtual Sessions focused on establishing and implementing the process for selecting science instructional materials in your district. These sessions are designed for decision makers leading the selection of materials.
One in-person session (11/12, Wichita) will provide decision-makers and selection committees with an opportunity to experience and compare the Science HQIM used in Kansas. Lessons will be modeled by Kansas teachers who use these materials.
Register: bit.ly/KSsciIM
HQIM: OpenSciEd Implementation Support
HQIM: OpenSciEd Implementation Support
Learn from and with Kansas teachers using OpenSciEd instructional materials. Each full-day, in-person session will include professional learning, time to workshop with the new learning, and opportunities to collaborate with others.
Learn from and with Kansas teachers using OpenSciEd instructional materials. Each full-day, in-person session will include professional learning, time to workshop with the new learning, and opportunities to collaborate with others.
Regitration: bit.ly/KSosePLC
Virtual learning and collaboration to support the building and district implementation of OpenSciEd materials. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to schedule on-site implementation support visits.
Registration: bit.ly/OSEleadsKS
Collaboration and Support Across Kansas
Some ways we can collaborate...
Facilitating professional development
Co-planning for professional development
Making sense of the science standards
Analyzing for standards alignment
Quality Instructional materials conversations
Supporting implementation of storyline and sensemaking routines
Assessment Data Talks
Science PLC support
**NOTE: PD and Collaboration with KSDE is at NO COST to districts!
KSDE Science Collaboration
Click through on the map to see where and how KSDE science is collaborating with schools and school systems across the state!
2025-2026 2024-2025
Let’s connect and collaborate!
Frequent PD Topics
Overview of the 4 Fundamentals in Science
Analyzing a unit of instruction for 4 Fundamentals
Making sense of the science standards
Vertical Alignment
Exploring the vision for quality instruction
How to make the most of KAP mini-tests
Quality 3-dimensional science assessments
OpenSciEd PD
Supporting student sensemaking
Engaging the Science and Engineering Practices
Phenomena-based instruction
Productive Talk in the science classroom
Science & The Science of Reading
Collaboration and Discourse through the Science & Endgineering Practices
Literacy Strategies and the Science and Engineering Practices
KSDE's Four Fundamentals & Science
KSDE's Four Fundamentals & Science
These are the elements of effective education that KSDE is prioritizing in our work and in the school improvement model. Under each fundamental you will find additional information and links to the KSDE Resources that support these fundamentals in science classrooms.
Standards Alignment
Standards Alignment
Standards-Alignment has clearly defined student learning expectations aligned to Kansas State Standards and supported with evidence-based instruction and materials .
NGSS K-12 Standards
Standards Alignment Toolkit
Middle School Science (6-8) (NEW!!!)
Coming soon -- unpacked standards tools for elementary DRAFT K-5
Recommended Bundles for scope and sequence:
KSDE Fact Sheet for Prioritization of Standards
Science and Engineering Practices Constructive Coaching Tool
Quality Instruction
Quality Instruction
Quality Instruction refers to implementation of evidence-based lesson design that reflects high expectations, meaningful student engagement, and learning activities aligned to the Kansas State Standards. A data-driven system of differentiated supports is necessary to help each student meet rigorous state standards.
KSDE Vision for Quality Science Instruction
DRAFT -- Observation Tool for Quality Science Instruction
KSDE Science Instructional Materials Selection Guidance
KSDE Instructional Materials Implementation Guidance
2023 Science Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool
Balanced Assessment
Balanced Assessment
A Balanced Assessment System refers to a collection of varying types of assessments that provide feedback regarding instruction and student learning. It utilizes assessment as a measure for learning and of learning.
Screener/Diagnostics
There is not a science-specific screener. We recommend using math and reading screeners to identify students who may need additional support in science.
KAP
The Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) develops and supports the state summative assessment, the interim assessments in the fall and winter, and the mini-test item bank.
State Summative
Interims (Fall and Winter)
Mini-test item bank - Access on Kite Educator Portal
Classroom Based Assessments
Pre-assessment
Formative
informal
formal
Unit and/or Course summative
Structured Literacy
Structured Literacy
Structured Literacy refers to the explicit, systematic, diagnostic, and cumulative approach to teaching literacy that acknowledges the value of both word recognition and oral and written language comprehension as evidenced in all grades and disciplines.
Other Opportunities & Resources for Teachers
Other Opportunities & Resources for Teachers
https://www.kabt.org/
Registration is open at this link! https://tinyurl.com/4ww6vjb5
Elementary Science
Elementary Science
KSDE Farm to Plate Harvest of the Month Lesson Plans
The Kansas application for the 2027 Horizon Award Program is now open.
The Kansas Horizon Award Program recognizes outstanding first-year teachers in elementary and secondary classrooms across Kansas. The award highlights educators who show strong teaching skills and stand out for their dedication to helping students learn.
Please share this opportunity with eligible teachers in your school.
Applications and program information are available at https://www.ksde.gov/licensure/educator-awards/kansas-horizon-award-program
The application deadline is October 9.
Please direct any questions about the program to Kira Williams, kira.williams@ksde.gov
Educators with expertise in all license and endorsement area are invited to particpate in an online training to become a program reviewer for educator preparation programs.
The fall 2026 training, hosted by the KSDE teacher licensure team, is 9 a.m. - noon, on Oct. 20. The deadline to register is Sept. 15.
Attendees will learn how to examine the description and supporting documents of an educator preparation program to determine whether the program meets the Kansas higher education preparation program standards for that license area. Attendees’ school districts can be reimbursed for substitutes if needed.
Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.schmidling@ksde.gov, with questions.
Secondary Science
Secondary Science
NASA TechRise Student Challenge
NASA TechRise Student Challenge – a FREE NASA challenge for middle and high schools.
The challenge includes information sessions for your department or organization upon request, free educational resources to foster classroom learning and an exciting student virtual field trip in the fall. Sixty winning teams will also receive $1500 to build their experiment, a spot to test it on a NASA-sponsored flight, and technical support from our awesome NASA TechRise advisors. The challenge is a great way to get hands-on with a NASA project this school year, and we encourage teams of all skill levels to apply. Updated challenge resources (including videos, slide decks, and educator pacing guides) can all be found on the challenge website HERE when the challenge opens.
Mission Hydrosphere
The U.S. Department of Education funded the University of Missouri to develop a video game for middle school science education. Mission HydroSci (MHS) teaches students (appropriate for grades 6-8) about water systems and scientific argumentation. In Fall 2026 the University of Missouri will be conducting an evaluation of a version of MHS built for Chromebooks and iPads.
Teachers will need to have 2 classes able to participate and will be paid a $1000 stipend. The stipend is to thank teachers for participating and in return for (1) completing initial training to prepare for the implementations (approximately 2-3 hours online at your convenience), (2) distributing assent forms for their students and their parents (we do not need signatures returned, just distribute the notices), (3) implementing the 9 day program, and (4) providing information about student engagement primarily through a post implementation interview (about 30 minutes)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SURVEY
NAAEE, BSCS Science Learning, and The FieldScope Project are conducting a national survey to better understand the current state of high school environmental science education — including what teachers teach, how instructional decisions are made, and what resources and support are most needed.
We invite you to participate if you are a high school teacher in the United States who teaches environmental science as a dedicated course or as part of a broader science class. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes.
Your responses will directly inform the development and dissemination of resources for environmental science educators nationwide. All responses are anonymous and results will be reported in aggregate.
Findings will be shared with the broader science education community through the NAAEE and BSCS Science Learning websites, as well as via email once the study is complete. Learn more about this survey on the NAAEE blog.
Take the Survey →https://bscs.org/opportunity/national-survey-of-high-school-environmental-science-teachers/
The Kansas application for the 2027 Horizon Award Program is now open.
The Kansas Horizon Award Program recognizes outstanding first-year teachers in elementary and secondary classrooms across Kansas. The award highlights educators who show strong teaching skills and stand out for their dedication to helping students learn.
Please share this opportunity with eligible teachers in your school.
Applications and program information are available at https://www.ksde.gov/licensure/educator-awards/kansas-horizon-award-program
The application deadline is October 9.
Please direct any questions about the program to Kira Williams, kira.williams@ksde.gov
Educators with expertise in all license and endorsement area are invited to particpate in an online training to become a program reviewer for educator preparation programs.
The fall 2026 training, hosted by the KSDE teacher licensure team, is 9 a.m. - noon, on Oct. 20. The deadline to register is Sept. 15.
Attendees will learn how to examine the description and supporting documents of an educator preparation program to determine whether the program meets the Kansas higher education preparation program standards for that license area. Attendees’ school districts can be reimbursed for substitutes if needed.
Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.schmidling@ksde.gov, with questions.
Open Science Positions in Kansas
Open Science Positions in Kansas
Explore open positions:
Questions about the Newsletter or KSDE Science?
KSDE STEM - Science Program Manager: Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov
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