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Science Institutes
Elementary
Systems (Grades K–2)
Teachers investigate living organisms and nonliving objects in the context of the unifying concept of systems. Organisms and objects are identified as systems through an examination of their properties, parts, and functions. The learning experiences integrate the TEKS from language arts, mathematics, and social studies with science. The session notebook includes three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Properties, Patterns, and Models (Grades K–2)
The unifying concepts of properties, patterns, and models are studied through the investigation of rocks, soil, and water. Data gathered during observation of properties and patterns are used to construct models. This module is scheduled for revision.
Constancy and Change (Grades K–2)
The Constancy and Change Institute examines a set of TEKS in the context of the unifying concept of constancy and change. Teachers will understand the changes that organisms undergo as they live and function in their environment. Life cycles are used to identify, predict, and replicate patterns. The learning experiences integrate the TEKS from language arts, mathematics, and social studies with science. The session notebook includes three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Systems (Grades 3–5)
Teachers investigate common examples of living and nonliving systems, with a particular focus on their interactions in the context of the unifying concept of systems. Teachers will conduct an investigation of electricity and circuits. The learning experiences integrate the TEKS from language arts, mathematics, and social studies with the science TEKS. The session notebook has three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Properties, Patterns, and Models (Grades 3–5)
This module focuses on Texas biomes. It uses physical and conceptual models to show relationships and interactions within biomes and teaches an understanding of properties, patterns, and models. This module is scheduled for revision.
Constancy and Change (Grades 3–5)
The Constancy and Change Institute examines a set of TEKS in the context of the unifying concept of constancy and change. Teachers will observe organisms in order to identify changes related to growth, survival, reproduction, structure, and function. They will analyze environmental changes that have an impact on organisms and identify and replicate patterns. The learning experiences integrate the TEKS from language arts, mathematics, and social studies through the use of literature and technology. The session notebook has three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Middle School
Systems (Grades 6–8)
The Systems Institute examines a set of TEKS in the context of the unifying concept of systems. Teachers will record and analyze their observations of energy transformation in systems that occur during inorganic and organic chemical reactions, including digestion. They will model the structure and function of the system of the periodic table of the elements and investigate endothermic and exothermic chemical processes. The session notebook has three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Properties, Patterns, and Models (Grades 6–8)
This module focuses on space exploration, the Earth, its motion, and its place in the universe to understand the scientific principles of properties, patterns, and models. Educators study force and motion, tilt and revolution, and characteristics of the universe. This module is scheduled for revision.
Constancy and Change (Grades 6–8)
The Constancy and Change Institute examines a set of TEKS in the context of the unifying concept of constancy and change. Teachers will investigate the changes that occur in the passage of genetic characteristics from one generation to the next and identify the structure and function of genetic materials. They will observe characteristics of humans and fast-growing plants that change or remain the same from one generation to the next and will identify patterns in those changes. During investigations of genetic patterns and genetic combinations, teachers make predictions about the chances for survival of different species. The session notebook has three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
High School
Biology
The Biology Institute provides models for teaching the theory of biological evolution and the mechanisms of genetics. The results of natural selection will be observed through the study of speciation, adaptation, and extinction. Genetic variation will be observed in investigations of earthworm and Bess bug behaviors and bird-beak and arthropod adaptation. The session notebook has two curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography
Plate tectonics, large igneous provinces (LIPS), and the Chicxulub impact site story are investigated. The acquisition of scientific data from instruments and computing technology on offshore drilling project ships is described and modeled.
Integrated Physics and Chemistry
IPC teachers need an understanding of the integration of physics and chemistry concepts in an IPC course. This institute develops teachers' abilities to integrate physics and chemistry. The institute also focuses on applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion, including the mechanics of sports activities and roller coasters and the calculation of speed, acceleration, and momentum. It also investigates the interrelationships among density, buoyancy, and viscosity in fluids. The session notebook has three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Chemistry
Fire safety is an important part of our daily lives, from striking a match to handling a fire extinguisher, from boiling water to fighting forest fires. This institute focuses on the chemistry of combustion, including the processes and effects of burning and its prevention. Teachers will investigate the science of combustion, and identify how science is used in fire safety and protection, as well as in firefighting efforts both large and small. The session notebook has three curriculum units, including formative and summative assessments.
Physics
This hands-on, inquiry-based study of the fundamental properties of waves—reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference—explores a wide range of real-world phenomena. Specific topics include boundary behavior, thin film interference, prisms, lenses, standing waves, diffraction gratings, as well as the science of musical instruments. The development of critical thinking skills and student-designed lab experiences is emphasized.