ScienceAcademic Excellence :

Science is the active study of nature, its structures and its processes. Science students use their senses and tools to observe, record and analyze data about the natural world. Scientifically literate young people can understand phenomena, solve problems, and produce new technologies for today's world.

Academic Standards in Science: Draft Two Complete
The Science Standards Revision Committee has completed draft two of the 2008 revision to the Minnesota Academic Standards in Science. National experts in K-12 science education will analyze the draft and provide suggestions for improvement. The Standards Committee will use this information as it prepares subsequent changes to the standards.The draft standards are organized into four areas or “strands”: The Nature of Science and Engineering; Physical Science; Earth and Space Science; and Life Science. A complete file of the Academic Standards in Science (revised): Draft 2 (Nov. 2008) can be viewed and printed from this page.

Submit Comments on Draft Two
The public is invited to comment on the second draft of the proposed standards using our online feedback form. The link will be open until Friday, December 19.  View feedback form and submit comments.

The final draft of the revised standards will be sent to the commissioner in late February 2009 with implementation in schools planned for no later than the 2011-12 school year. Schools currently are implementing the 2003 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, which were fully in place for all students during the 2006-07 school year. A copy of the current, Academic Standards in Science (current—2003), can also be downloaded from this page.

The “Curriculum and Assessment Alignment Form for Science” can be viewed and printed from this page. This form was designed for use by schools and online learning providers in order to document alignment with the standards. The companion document, “Curriculum and Assessment Alignment Form Examples,” is available to help you get started.

MN Learning Loop is an important resource for teachers. Developed by TIES with a grant from MDE, it provides classroom resources for teachers, including a searchable database of the 2003 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science and the Minnesota Science Teachers Association website. Access Learning Loop from Related Links.

Contact: Terry Alvarado at 651-582-8749

*Links to third-party sites are provided as a service to Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Website visitors. See our disclaimer regarding these sites in our copyright information linked at the bottom of this page. Links will open in a new browser window.