Science

A strong foundation in STEM subjects prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed for success in college and future careers. The Oklahoma State Department of Education partners with educators across the state to develop and share high-quality resources that support classroom instruction. These resources include the OK Science Framework, instructional guidance and research-based tools, and accessible professional development opportunities.

Development and Review of the Standards

The writing and draft teams included K-12 educators, higher education, scientists, engineers, parents, and community members from throughout the state who developed and provided feedback on the standards, meeting multiple times. Hundreds of educators throughout the state were involved in reviewing the standards.

Download the 2020 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science.

Download the 2026 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science.

Aeronautics and Engineering standards will be included in the 2026 Academic Standards for Science.

Science Assessments

The 2020 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science were first assessed in the 2022-2023 school year.

• Subject-specific assessment materials (such as blueprints and test and item specifications) can be found on the OSDE Assessment webpage.

Oklahoma Science Standards and Preparing Students for the ACT

OAS-S Science and Engineering Practices and the ACT Science Skills

Science Graduation Requirements FAQ

Aviation-Based Course Credits Guidance and FAQ

Oklahoma Science Frameworks

Resources for 3-Dimensional Science Teaching and Learning

Implementation Toolkit for the 2020 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science

Get Connected: OKScience Professional Learning Network

#OKSci Facebook Group

Science Listserv

PD On Your Plan

PD on Your Plan is an effort to provide educators with professional development in bite-size offerings that could be completed by a teacher on their plan period, a group of teachers during a department meeting or a group of educators during a devoted professional learning community (PLC) time. 

A series of PD on Your Plan Modules have been developed to assist educators in understanding the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science and the three dimensions of science embedded in the standards.  

Open Education Resources for PD

STEM Teaching Tools offers a wide variety of open education resources for professional development around three-dimensional science standards. There are available sessions starting at 30 minutes, all the way to multi-day. These PD sessions provide multiple entry points, no matter where a teacher is in their understanding of the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science.

Session Spotlight: Incorporating Scientific Argumentation into Your Classroom

The practice of argumentation—that is, developing, exploring, analyzing, and refining lines of reasoning and explanation in evidence-based ways—is essential to the work of scientists and to scientific thinking and learning. This short course is designed to help educators think about how the practice of argumentation relates to the practice of explanation, research- and practice-based strategies that can foster rich forms of student argumentation, and how argumentation opportunities can be implemented in more equitable ways.

National Math and Science Initiative

National Math and Science Initiative: NMSI’s mission is to improve student performance in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). NMSI’s programs transform teaching, transform schools, and are transforming education in the United States.

Under 70 O.S. § 11-103.6, Oklahoma school districts may develop and propose locally approved science-based application courses for high school. These courses must align with the Oklahoma Academic Standards and receive approval from the local school board. Districts are required to notify the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) using the designated form by July 1. Learn how to propose a locally approved course.

Lisa Sizelove
Project Manager, Science and Engineering
lisa.sizelove@sde.ok.gov