Science | CDE

Science Education Updates, Events, and Professional Learning Opportunities:

Session Spotlight: There was incredible energy at last week's Colorado Student Centered Science Assessment workshop! Witnessing 25 dedicated Cherry Creek science educators and 13 brilliant middle school students come together to reimagine assessment practices was truly inspiring. Excellent work Pam McWilliams and the Science Team at Cherry Creek School District. Special thanks to Michelle Carnes 7th Grade Science Teacher at Thunder Ridge Middle School- your commitment to both students and fellow educators made this collaboration shine!
Current Colorado Juniors and Seniors, please apply to the National Youth Science Camp by February 28,2025. Learn more and apply here.
STEM Educators- Apply for the National Lieutenant Governor's Association (NLGA) Lt. Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program by March 7, 2025. Learn more and/or apply here.
1/13/2025 The White House announces PAEMST winners. Congratulations to our PAEMST Science winners from Colorado:
- Autumn Rivera
- Dr. Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber
- Linda Flohr
Access upcoming science events and professional learning opportunities, on this calendar.

Shortcuts to Additional Resources:

Interested in learning more about SB24-014 The Seal of Climate Literacy Diploma Endorsement? Learn more here
Would you like to access local Colorado data to enhance your instructional materials? See free local, data resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, ESRI, and NOAA here.
Access classroom resources aligned with the 2020 Science Standards for elementary and secondary
Colorado Student-Centered Science Assessment Toolkit
Access 3D teaching and learning
Access Opportunities for Educators and Students
Access Professional Organizations
Access Building Community and Industry Partnerships
Access Computer Science Instructional Supports

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Academic Standards

The revised Colorado Academic Standards for Science reflect a new vision for science education that connects scientific knowledge, in authentic ways, to real-world problem solving and innovation. The standards forefront scientific practices that go beyond the inquiry process to arrive at justifiable rationales for interpretations of phenomena.

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Curriculum Support

Article IX, Section 16 of Colorado's constitution states, "Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools." However, CDE can still serve as an advisor to help districts and schools adopt, adapt, develop, or use the materials of their choice.

Resources to Support Materials Review and Adoption
Three-Dimensional Learning Resources and Learning Progressions
Exploring Formative Practice in Science
Digital Resources (Aligned to 2020 Standards): Elementary, Secondary, STEM, Literacy

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Instructional Support

Colorado's 2020 Science Standards support a three-dimensional model of science teaching and learning. Instructional support is grounded in CDE's shared approach to Best, First Instruction and strategies supported by professional organizations and scholars.

What is Three-Dimensional Teaching and Learning?
Equity in Science Education
Guidance for Science Instruction Across Diverse Learning Settings (Hybrid and Virtual Settings)
Science Lab Safety
Environmental Literacy- Colorado's Environmental Education Plan

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Community

There are many opportunities to connect and grow as a professional educator with the larger science education community, including mailing lists, professional organizations, awards and grants, and events.

Additional Information

Learn more about CMAS Science here.

For further assistance, please contact:

Samantha Agoos
Science Content Specialist
C 720.955.9253
[email protected]