Science and Engineering in the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

[trici...@txgcp.org]

From the October Science Newsletter  - Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 10/31/2023 02:47 PM CDT

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Each month, the TEKS in Focus feature will focus on concepts or student expectations from the 2024 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The new science TEKS introduce standards focused on bringing engineering into the science classroom. Students should be able to identify the differences between science and engineering purposes. The table below highlights changes made to TEKS involving student development and use of models. The new expectations increase the variety of situations in which students use models; adding the expectation that students use models to represent solutions to engineering problems and as part of scientific and engineering explanations. 

 

Changes in Developing and Using Models  

Students currently learn to represent the natural world using models and analyze models for advantages and limitations as scientists. Recognizing the purpose of the work is the key to distinguishing scientific practice from engineering design; scientists explain phenomena, and engineers solve problems related to phenomena. Scientists use models to explore the interdependence of parts within a system and to develop explanations about the phenomenon observed. Engineers use models, specifically prototypes, to test their designs related to solving an engineering problem. In both science and engineering, students are now asked to develop models and use them as evidence to support a claim or to justify a solution.

 

Adjusting Practice 

While students are learning and asking questions about new science ideas, teachers can encourage them to develop models that will help them understand or explain a phenomenon or provide a prototype of a design that can be tested.  Teachers should continually ask questions such as “What does this model allow me to see?” and “What does this model not allow me to see?” Students should be encouraged to share the limitations and advantages of the model when using it as evidence to support their explanation or solution.

 

 

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Tricia Berry

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Collaboration Lead, Texas Girls Collaborative Project

 

The Texas Girls Collaborative Project (TxGCP) is a statewide network of advocates and educators from non-profits, K-12 schools, universities and colleges, and companies from across Texas and beyond who are committed to motivating and supporting women and girls to pursue and thrive in careers in STEM. TxGCP leads the annual Texas Women & Girls in STEM Summit, disseminates curriculum and effective practices and supports a network of collaborators, resource sharing and STEM communications throughout the state.

 

trici...@txgcp.org | txgcp.org | @txgcp