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Virginia Department of Education
As members of the Virginia Association of Science Teachers, you are joining a cadre of teachers that are eager to support science learning in the Commonwealth. At VDOE, our goal is to support all teachers in reaching the vision of science literacy at all levels. In order to do this effectively, we need the support of state science leaders, teachers, pre-service programs, state agencies, and science-based organizations such as VAST. If you have suggestions on how we can improve our support, please feel free to contact us at any time! Contact information is provided below.
Current Work
Science Standards of Learning Development and Review Process underway!
The Code of Virginia requires a review of Virginia’s Standards of Learning every seven years thus the 2018 Science Standards of Learning were adopted in 2018 and are scheduled for review in 2025. These standards included content and practice expectations for 13 grades/courses, including grades K-6, Life Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics.
The 2018 Science Standards of Learning did not address standards or curriculum frameworks for Virginia Board of Education (Board) approved courses at the secondary level for level II courses and environmental science. These laboratory science courses are listed in the Board of Education Approved Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements for the Standard, Advanced Studies, and Modified Standard Diplomas in Virginia Public Schools. New standards are in development to support teachers and divisions with instruction in these courses and to ensure consistency in content and Science and Engineering Practices in Virginia schools.
Professional Learning: Environmental Issues in Virginia Microcredential
The VDOE is offering four modules that support instruction of the environmental standards embedded into the 2018 Virginia Science Standards of Learning. The four modules include:
- Energy Use in Virginia
- Impact of Invasive Species on Virginia Ecosystems
- Climate Change and Impacts in Virginia
- Virginia's Forests: Ecology and Management
The modules are asynchronous, virtual, self-paced, housed in Virtual Virginia, and take about 10 hours to complete. Participants receive a certificate upon completion of each module. You may enroll in any or all modules. A microcredential is awarded upon completion of all four modules.
Although self-paced, the modules have established start and completion dates. The dates of the modules are May 28 – July 5, 2024 and July 8 – August 30, 2024.
Space is limited and based on a first come first serve basis. Contact Gregory MacDougall if you have any questions. To register, complete the registration form and indicate your preferred dates for attendance. Join us in advancing environmental education in Virginia!
Digital Game of STEM
As employment opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) continue to expand in Virginia and throughout the United States, the selection of STEM courses in K-12 allows students to prepare for a variety of STEM careers. The Game of STEM was developed to provide a sampling of potential STEM careers and to support students, counselors, and teachers as students determine course pathways. The Game of STEM was developed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, CodeVA, and the Virginia Association of Science Teachers.
The Digital Game of STEM (1).pdf
Teacher Resources
- 2018 Science Standards of Learning
- 2018 Science Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework
- Dissecting a Virginia Science Standard: An explanation of Investigate and Understand (PDF)
- Find more resources, to include the VDOE Science Instructional Plans (SIPs), at #GoOpenVA. Go to the group within #GoOpenVA titled VDOE Science for SIPS and other instructional supports.
Performance Assessment
Environmental Literacy
What is a MWEE’s and what does it mean to me as a classroom teacher?
MWEEs (meaningful watershed educational experiences) are the cornerstones of student environmental education about and in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. MWEEs seek to seamlessly connect standards-based classroom learning with outdoor field investigations to create a deeper understanding of the natural environment. Specifically, MWEEs ask students to explore local environmental issues through sustained, teacher supported programming that includes, but is not limited to, issue definition, outdoor field experiences, action projects, and sharing student-developed synthesis and conclusions with the school and community.
Environmental Literacy in Virginia- information about meaningful watershed educational experiences, teacher resources, grant opportunities, professional development and more can be found on this page.
Safety
Safety in the K-12 science and STEM classroom is always a priority. Federal safety laws mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration indicated the protocols that all schools and classrooms must adhere to when conducting activities in schools. The documents below provide support for safety in the science classroom and reflect the expectations of OSHA.
Assessment
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.
Grants
Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee – Restoration and Education Grants
Applications due September 2024
Applications will be accepted from private not-for-profit conservation organizations, schools and universities, and governmental agencies whose projects will affect water bodies that are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. There is no limit on the amount that an applicant may request. More information on the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, including the application, W-9 and EDI forms (both new), grant guidelines, and a catalogue of past projects can be found at Chesapeake Bay Restoration Grant Application.
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Applications due – December 1 and June 15
Grant-making priorities in the Virginia Program are focused on water quality, Chesapeake Bay, land conservation and use, environmental education and awareness, and other emerging issues. See the Virginia Program page for details, and the Proposal Submission page for application instructions.
NOAA – Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Grant Program
Applications due – See grant process website at NOAA
The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET Chesapeake) grant program supports hands-on watershed education to students and teachers to foster stewardship of the Bay. Environmentally literate citizens with the skills and knowledge to make well-informed environmental choices are key to sustaining the nation’s ocean and coastal environments.
Dominion – Environmental Stewardship Grants Program
Applications due – September 12, 2024
The Dominion Foundation will award up to $1.2 million in environmental stewardship grants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in communities served by Dominion companies. The Dominion Foundation will consider grant requests up to $50,000 that focus on specific, short-term projects that promise measurable results to improve the environment.
Important Links
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
Energy in Virginia – Curriculum guide and supporting materials related to the Grade Six Science Standards of Learning energy standards.
Contact Information
Laura Casdorph laura.casdorph@doe.virginia.gov
Myra Thayer, Ed.D. myra.thayer@doe.virginia.gov
Gregory MacDougall gregory.macdougall@doe.virginia.gov
Anne Petersen, Ph.D. anne.petersen@doe.virginia.gov