Science

Science is the process of exploring and explaining the processes, structures, designs, and systems that make up our natural and human-made world. In Science, all students engage in practices including making observations, developing and revising models, and analyzing and interpreting data to answer scientific questions and design solutions to problems. Scientifically literate classroom communities make observations of the world around them, design investigations to answer questions, make connections between ideas across the science disciplines, and solve problems using technologies for an ever-changing world.

Legislative Updates:

The 2023 Minnesota legislative session resulted in historic legislation being passed with regard to education—including changes to state statutes that directly impact K–12 public Science education.


Educator Edition Bulletin

The Educator Edition Bulletin/Newsletter is a monthly newsletter sent electronically by MDE with important Academic Standards information, research, and legislative updates. Subscribe to the Educator Edition Bulletin/Newsletter. 

 

Standards, Assessments and Graduation Requirements

Academic Standards in Science 2009 – Effective May 24, 2010, to September 2, 2025
The 2009 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science were adopted in 2010 and were fully implemented in the 2011-12 school year. Resources supporting transition to the 2019 Academic Standards in Science are available on our Science Implementation Webpage.
Academic Standards in Science 2019 – Effective September 27, 2021 
The 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science were adopted in 2021, and are scheduled for full implementation in the 2024-25 school year. Resources supporting implementation of the 2019 Academic Standards in Science are available on our Science Implementation page
Assessments: The Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) III and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) III assess the 2009 science standards in grade 5 (for standards in grades 3-5), grade 8 (for standards in grades 6-8), and at the end of biology course (for 9-12 standards in the Nature of Science and Engineering and Life Science). The MCA IV and Alternative MCA will begin assess the 2019 standards at the same grade levels in the 2024-25 school year.  More information and resources supporting this transition are available on the MDE Statewide Testing page.
 
Graduation requirements: Students must successfully complete the following high school level credits: three credits of science, including one credit to satisfy all the earth and space science standards for grades 9 through 12, one credit to satisfy all the life science standards for grades 9 through 12, and one credit to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for grades 9 through 12.
 
For more information, view the Graduation Requirements page.

Teaching Licenses: The Minnesota Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) regulates the awarding of teaching licenses and the courses the licenses may teach.  Currently the following licenses are available for teaching science: K-6, General Science 5-8, Chemistry 9-12, Earth and Space Science 9-12, Life Science 9-12, and Physics 9-12.  

Professional Learning and Coming Events

The Minnesota Department of Education provides professional development through our state Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Please visit Online Science Courses from the Minnesota Department of Education to register. The following modules are available for science:  
  • Science and Engineering Practices in Action (SEPA)This virtual course includes six modules that explore the Science and Engineering Practices embedded within in the 2019 Academic Standards in Science. The SEPA modules focus on promoting understanding, providing strategies and encouraging the use of science and engineering practices in classrooms. The full course requires 10 hours to complete, and is designed for use by a professional learning community or curriculum team at any grade level. The Minnesota Department of Education thanks Hamline University and the Anoka Hennepin School District for their partnership in the development of SEPA. 
     
  • Minnesota Science Teachers Learning from Lesson Analysis (MnSTELLA) This course includes analysis of teacher practice that supports the development of equitable science instruction that is accessible to all students. MnSTELLA includes two separate modules for each grade band: 1) strategies to reveal, support and challenge student thinking, and 2) strategies to create a coherent science content storyline. The Minnesota Department of Education thanks the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools and BSCS Science Learning for their partnership in the development of MnSTELLA.

Legislative Initiatives and Special Projects

getSTEM
getSTEM is a web portal that connects Minnesota educators and businesses. The website provides a sharing network allowing schools to request materials, equipment, volunteers, speakers and judges. Businesses, in turn, offer materials, programs and presentations to schools. getSTEM is a collaborative project of MDE and the Minnesota High Technology Council.
 
The Minnesota STEM Network
The Minnesota STEM Network, sponsored by SciMathMN promotes improvement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in Minnesota by addressing critical issues and forming partnerships across the state. 

Recognition and Awards Programs

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation's highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Two teachers from each state receive the award annually. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education.
 
Green Ribbon Schools Award
The Green Ribbon Schools Award from the U.S. Department of Education honors schools, districts and higher education institutions that save energy and reduce operating costs, create environmentally friendly learning spaces, promote student health, and incorporate environmental sustainability into the curriculum. Program information and the Minnesota application materials are at the MDE Green Ribbon Schools page.
 
National Youth Science Camp
The National Youth Science Camp scholarship is awarded to two 12th-grade students annually, and includes a free, four-week summer science and outdoor experience in the mountains of West Virginia. Scientists from across the nation present lectures and hands-on science seminars and interact informally with student delegates. The experience includes overnight expeditions into the Monongahela National Forest, featuring backpacking, rock climbing, caving, mountain biking or kayaking opportunities. Applications are due each year in February.

Resources for Instruction and Learning 

Resources Supporting the 2019 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science 
A Framework for K-12 Science Education is the foundational document used to develop the 2019 Academic Standards in Science. It combines research on effective science instruction and learning, and applies it to the development of standards. The Framework was also use to develop the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The appendices and supporting resources for instruction and assessment developed for the NGSS are also helpful resources for supporting implementation of the the 2019 Minnesota Science Standards. Additional resources supporting implementation of the 2019 Academic Standards in Science are available on our Science Implementation page.
 
 

Content Specialist Contact Information

For more information, contact  mde.academic-standards@state.mn.us.

Standards and Related Documentation