Take 1–2 minutes to observe the structure of the Elementary Science TEKS. Look for scientific processes, science concepts, common strands, and vocabulary.

Click Elementary Science TEKS to access the standards.

What do the scientific processes include? What do the science concepts include? These two questions help you determine the science content students need to learn. View the video below that debriefs the exploration of the scientific processes.

Take 1 minute to locate the four different strands within the elementary science concepts. Then answer the following questions.

• How many sections are in the Matter and Energy strand?
• How many sections are in the Force, Motion, and Energy strand?
• How many sections are in the Earth and Space strand?
• How many sections are in the Organisms and Environments strand?

When do you teach scientific processes? Scientific processes should be embedded in the science concepts throughout the curriculum.

You may be wondering why the focus of the Science Academies for Grades K–4 is on the Force, Motion, and Energy strand. View the video for the answer to that question.

Please note that this video was filmed before House Bill 5 (HB 5) was passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by the governor in June 2013. Due to the approval of HB 5, high school students enrolled in physics or chemistry will not be required to take an end-of-course (EOC) State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness or STAAR® assessment. However, the connections in the TEKS and to student success in high school courses still exist. Elementary teachers lay the foundation in science.