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Virginia Department of Education

Information on this page is provided by the Office of Standards, Curriculum & Instruction.

Staff Contacts

Instruction

Science

The Science Standards of Learning identify academic content for essential components of the science curriculum at different grade levels. Standards are identified for kindergarten through grade six, for a core set of middle and high school courses – life science, physical science, Earth science, biology, chemistry and physics.

In addition to the standards, curriculum frameworks, enhanced scope and sequence guides, test blueprints and released tests, the following K-12 science instructional resources are available.

K-6 Science – Instructional Resources

• Project PROMISE – hands-on, problem-based, inquiry-based K-3 science curriculum and related professional development resources
• Lessons From the Bay – activities and projects for grades 3-6 related to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed

• Virginia Animals and their Habitats – a model comprehensive, cross-curricular second-grade unit that addresses 40 grade-two Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) in science, mathematics, English, and history and social science.

Middle & High School Science – Instructional Resources

• SOL Physical Science Activities, University of Virginia Physics Department – investigations and lesson plans designed for each of the Physical Science SOL
• Learn & Serve Virginia Grant – service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities
• Technology Sparks, Ideas for Teachers: Integrating Technology with the Virginia Standards of Learning (PDF) – resources and suggestions for incorporating technology into sixth-grade science, life science and physical courses

Award Programs

• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.
• Virginia Green Ribbon Schools – Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the U.S. Department of Education will recognize schools where staff, students, officials and communities have worked together to produce energy efficient, sustainable and healthy school environments and to ensure the sustainability and environmental literacy of graduates.

Miscellaneous

• Safety in Science Teaching (PDF) – information relevant to teachers and administrators
• Share the Skies Telescope Project – access to research-grade telescopes allowing Virginia teachers and students to explore Australia's night skies during the school day and study astronomy without leaving the classroom
• Thinkfinity – collection of websites with standards-based lesson plans, student interactives and other resources

Additional science

• Resources, professional development & organizations

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