The Georgia Science standards are designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for all students to develop proficiency in science. The Project 2061’s Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the follow up work, A Framework for K-12 Science Education were used as the core of the standards to determine appropriate content and process skills for students. The standards focus on a limited number of core disciplinary ideas and crosscutting concepts which build from Kindergarten to high school.
The Science Georgia Standards of Excellence drive instruction. Hands-on, student-centered, and inquiry-based approaches should be the emphasis of instruction. The standards are a required minimum set of expectations that show proficiency in science.
New Updates
All published science instructional segments in the Essential Toolkit have been updated to include student support suggestions and are
organized to match the 5E format.
Instructional Resources for Science Teachers
The
purchase and use of instructional resources and materials are decisions made at
the local school district and/or school levels. The Department of Education
provides many instructional resources that are aligned to the Georgia
Standards of Excellence (GSE). Resources for teachers can be
found here:
Resource Spotlight
Self-Reflection
Checklists: This tool to help students self-reflect on
their progress is also included in the Essential Toolkit. Click
here to access the checklists.
Equity
Instructional Planning Look-For: This document is available
in the Essential Toolkit within the “Need to Know” bucket. Designed to help
teachers evaluate their lessons for equity, this resource can be accessed here.
Aligned science resources are available and include example frameworks consisting of instructional segments with pacing guides, curriculum maps, phenomena cards and more. Resources can be found in the Teacher Resource Link (the Teacher Resource Link can also be accessed through the SLDS system). See Finding Resources on the TRL for more.
Science Standards and Curriculum Frameworks
Georgia Science Standards and Courses
Science Videos:
Reading, Writing, and Science: The
Perfect Combination
What does literacy have to do with
science? Everything! As students obtain, evaluate, and communicate information
throughout courses and grades, literacy is an integral piece. Celebrate
literacy with the GaDOE science team and author Jodi Wheeler-Toppen in the
following video series. Find tips and strategies to support your science
classroom being a space where students read, write, speak, and think. Consider using these resources and table tents that are shown in the videos.
Elementary:
Middle/High:
K-12:
Professional Learning
Science Updates
Join the GaDOE science team in this video to learn about updates with standards, assessment, and resources. Click the image to open the video.
Professional Learning
What is 3D science? Check out our self-paced, online module about science instruction under the GSE. Find the course on the PL tab inside the SLDS (access to SLDS required). Search for "Three Dimensional Science Instruction" and self enroll. Earn a badge for completion!
Need Professional Learning Community resources? See the PLC Science in 3D for 10 guided discussions that can be used throughout the year to learn more about the structure, background and intended outcomes of the GSE.
To join a science email list to receive updates and newsletters from the science program, please send a blank email to one or more of the following email addresses below:
Science K-5:
join-science-k-5@list.doe.k12.ga.us
Science 6-8:
join-science-6-8@list.doe.k12.ga.us
Science 9-12:
join-science-9-12@list.doe.k12.ga.us
Science Testing and Assessment Resources
Georgia Milestones EOG Resources
Georgia Milestones EOC Resources
Opportunities for Students
Teacher Awards
Helpful Links
Science Newsletters
Science Ambassadors
When the Georgia Standards of Excellence were approved,
GaDOE trained approximately 300 educators from around the state in the
foundations and instructional strategies that are central to the standards. A
second cohort of teachers was trained in the fall of 2019. The ambassadors continue
professional development and teacher support in their districts and RESAs.
Interested in bringing an ambassador to your school or district? Please contact
us for ambassadors near you.
