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Science Resources

The vision of K-12 science education in Oregon is to ensure that each and every student has access to high-quality, three-dimensional instruction that includes thoughtful and coordinated approaches to inspire future generations of scientifically literate students.

There is no doubt that science - and therefore, science education - is central to the lives of every community member. Never before has our world been so complex and scientific literacy so critical to making sense of it all. Science is also at the heart of each community’s ability to continue innovating, leading, and creating jobs for the future. That's why each and every student - regardless of whether they pursue college or STEM careers - should have access to a high-quality, three-dimensional science education.Equity in science education requires that all students are provided with equitable opportunities to learn science and become engaged in science and engineering practices; with access to quality space, equipment, and teachers to support and motivate that learning and engagement; and adequate time spent on science. In addition, the issue of connecting to students’ interests and experiences is particularly important for broadening participation in science.”NRC Framework


  • Oregon K-12 Science Standards with Clarifying Guidance - This document describes the vision for science education in Oregon and identifies the three dimensions that make up the K-12 science standards for each grade level in K-5 and grade band in 6-8 and high school.
  • Coming Soon - K-12 Oregon Standards and Instructional Materials Implementation

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  • Using Phenomena - This resource answers questions about how and why to center science education on phenomena so that students are motivated to explain. This focus of learning shifts instruction from learning about a topic to figuring out why or how something happens. Video support.
  • Qualities of a Good Anchor Phenomenon - This resource identifies how instructional sequences are more coherent when students investigate compelling natural phenomena (in science) or work on meaningful design problems (in engineering) by engaging in the science and engineering practices.
  • Attending to Student Interests and Community Priorities in Phenomena - This open educational resource (OER) is a professional learning resources that includes slides, speaker notes, facilitator guide, and embedded resources focused on identify a variety of meaningful phenomena of different types that connect to specific science and engineering learning standards.
  • Going 3D with GRC - This site is a collection of grades K-12 vetted, three-dimensional lessons grounded in phenomena and aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards developed from the Framework for K-12 Science Education.
  • NGSS Design Badge Lessons and Units - This collection of lessons and units have been awarded a digital badge based on the Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products (EQuIP) Rubric for Science.
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In late May 2023, ODE released Oregon's Early Literacy Framework to provide coherence, clarity and common ground for high-quality, comprehensive early literacy education statewide. Below are some elementary-focused resources that support both the statewide literacy vision and science education:
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  • CLEAN Culturally Relevant Climate Teaching - This resource focuses on the Living Landscapes project is a set of educational resources designed to integrate traditional knowledge (Native Science) about the climate with current climate research.
  • CLEAN Guidance in Elementary Teaching about Climate and Energy - This resource provides guidance, ideas, and strategies for elementary educators for teaching climate and energy in elementary grades.
  • CLEAN Teaching Energy/Enseñar temas sobre energía - This resource traces the story of energy in our lives, beginning with the physics of energy and how energy flows throughout the earth system. Explore energy's influence on human society, sources of energy, the ways we use energy, how we make decisions about energy, and the impacts of energy use.
  • CLEAN Teaching Climate/La Enseñanza de la Ciencia Del Clima - This resource walks students through key components of the climate system: the Sun, the atmosphere, life on Earth, human impacts, how scientists study climate, and actions humans can take.
  • ClimeTime - This website provides developed PK-12 climate science lessons, units, and professional development resources that are shared through the OER Commons group.
  • National Center for Science Education - This site provides resources for educators to address misconceptions about climate change and high school climate science lessons and units.
  • Smithsonian Science Education Center - This site hosts Sustainability Resources that are designed to engage students in phenomenon-based learning through coherent storylines, inspire teachers with point-of-use support, and connect students firsthand to the world around them.
  • STEM Teaching Tools: Climate Learning Resource Designing Climate Change Learning for Action - These practice briefs, webinars, and professional learning resources focus on different aspects of this climate science and provide a variety of examples for diverse learning environments. .
  • Talk Climate - This website provides age appropriate, emotionally-responsive, and action centered resources for PK-12, caregivers, educators, and professionals.
  • Yale Program on Climate Change Communication - This site focuses on resources for educators grades 6-12 and were developed based on recommendations from educators across the United States.