Science
News & Announcements
New requirements for displaying wildlife in the classroom – the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has established standards for the possession and display of wildlife by elementary or secondary teachers for educational purposes. See Superintendent's Memo #129-14.
New resources for science and mathematics teachers available through Title II B: Mathematics and Science Partnerships.
Standards of Learning
Science K-12 
Includes:
- Curriculum Frameworks
- Enhanced Scope & Sequence Sample Lesson Plans
- Test Blueprints
- Released Tests
- Practice Items
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 and 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.
Professional Development Resources – Science Standards of Learning (SOL) Institutes
VDOE has provided targeted professional development through Science Standards of Learning Institutes.
- Science Standards of Learning (SOL) Institutes
VDOE provided professional development for school divisions and their teachers to support the implementation of the 2010 Science Standards of Learning. School divisions and teachers are encouraged to utilize the professional development resources to improve student achievement through quality instruction.
- Meaning of Rigor in the Virginia Science Standards of Learning Presentation
This presentation discusses rigor in science instruction and assessment. The video excerpt identified in the presentation is provided by Annenberg Learner. The video may be downloaded from Annenberg Learner from Workshop 4 - Focus the Inquiry: Designing the Exploration.
- Virginia Science Standards Institutes (VSSI)
The two Institutes modeled exemplary science instruction, especially focusing on kindergarten through third-grade science SOL content and processes using cross-curricular instruction, student teams, and inquiry-based, project-based, and place-based learning. Teachers participating in a VSSI worked as a vertical school/division team to design a school/division instructional unit framework during the week. The following are links to the resources from the 2012 VSSI. - Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA)
The Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA) is a statewide partnership among 60+ Virginia school districts, six Virginia universities, and the Virginia Department of Education. Its goal is to translate research-based best teaching practices into improved science teaching and student learning for all students at all levels. VISTA provides professional development programs for elementary, middle, and high school teachers; science coordinators; and science education faculty. Its investigators are researching what elements best support teachers in helping students learn. The initiative is also working to build a community of practice across the Commonwealth. More about VISTA.
Science Instructional Resources
- General
- Elementary
- Middle and High School
- ESS Sample Lesson Plans – Align instruction with the 2010 Science SOL by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.
- Practices for Science Investigation Progression (PDF) – The Practices for Science Investigation Progression chart identifies the grade level at which specific science skills/practices are formally introduced and how they progress throughout the 2010 Science Standards of Learning.
- K-3 Science Progression (PDF) – Shows the progression of standards from kindergarten through third grade and how they relate to reporting categories on the Grade 3 Science SOL Test Blueprint.
- Science Standards of Learning Crosswalk Between the 2010 and 2003 Standards
- Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Resources – Videos and curriculum products such as lesson plans, developed as part of Virginia MSP projects.
Assessment Resources
- SOL Practice Items – Practice items provide examples of the new content and increased rigor of the 2010 Science SOL.
- Released SOL Tests & Item Sets – Tests and item sets representative of the content and skills included in the Virginia SOL tests
- Science SOL Test Blueprints – Much like the blueprint for a building, a test blueprint serves as a guide for test construction. The blueprint indicates the content areas that will be addressed by the test and the number of items that will be included by content area and for the test as a whole. There is a blueprint for each test.
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.
Professional Organizations
- National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
- Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST)
- Virginia Instructors of Physics (VIP)
- Virginia Science Education Leadership Association (VSELA)
Additional Science Resources
- ESS Sample Lesson Plans – Align instruction with the 2010 Science SOL by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.
- Practices for Science Investigation Progression (PDF) – The Practices for Science Investigation Progression chart identifies the grade level at which specific science skills/practices are formally introduced and how they progress throughout the 2010 Science Standards of Learning.
- K-3 Science Progression (PDF) – Shows the progression of standards from kindergarten through third grade and how they relate to reporting categories on the Grade 3 Science SOL Test Blueprint.
- Science Standards of Learning Crosswalk Between the 2010 and 2003 Standards
- 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.
Assessment Resources
- SOL Practice Items – Practice items provide examples of the new content and increased rigor of the 2010 Science SOL.
- Released SOL Tests – Released SOL tests in all subjects.
- Science SOL Test Blueprints – Much like the blueprint for a building, a test blueprint serves as a guide for test construction. The blueprint indicates the content areas that will be addressed by the test and the number of items that will be included by content area and for the test as a whole. There is a blueprint for each test.
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.
Professional Organizations
- National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
- Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST)
- Virginia Science Education Leadership Association (VSELA)
Additional Science Resources
- ESS Sample Lesson Plans – Align instruction with the 2010 Science SOL by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.
- Practices for Science Investigation Progression (PDF) – The Practices for Science Investigation Progression chart identifies the grade level at which specific science skills/practices are formally introduced and how they progress throughout the 2010 Science Standards of Learning.
- SOL Physical Science Activities, University of Virginia Physics Department – Investigations and lesson plans designed for each of the Physical Science SOL
- GreenSTEM@VCU – Lesson plans and videos integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education with a focus on energy and the environment using service-learning techniques for middle school science, mathematics and technology teachers.
- 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.
- Using Significant Digits in Chemistry (PDF) – This technical assistance document provides some basic rules for determining significant digits and using significant digits in calculations.
- Virginia Science Activities, Models & Simulations (SAMS) – Activities, models and simulations correlated to the 2010 Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework.
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.
Assessment Resources
- SOL Practice Items – Practice items provide examples of the new content and increased rigor of the 2010 Science SOL
- Released SOL Tests – Released SOL tests in all subjects.
- Science SOL Test Blueprints – Much like the blueprint for a building, a test blueprint serves as a guide for test construction. The blueprint indicates the content areas that will be addressed by the test and the number of items that will be included by content area and for the test as a whole. There is a blueprint for each test.
Professional Organizations
- National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
- Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST)
- Virginia Science Education Leadership Association (VSELA)
Additional Science Resources
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