Instructional Resources

Teaching & Learning Resources

K-12 

• Science and Engineering Practices Progression K-12 (Word) - The Science and Engineering Practices Progression K-12 chart identifies grade level expectations for each of the six practices as students progress through elementary school and high school.
• K-5 Science Practices Progression (Word) – Shows the progression of standards from kindergarten through fifth grade and how they relate to reporting categories on the Grade 5 Science SOL Test Blueprint.
• Addressing Climate Change Using the Virginia 2018 Science Standards of Learning (Word) - This document summarizes student performance expectations from the Virginia Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework, and excerpts from the Content Guidelines that pertain to climate change.

Middle & High School

• Energy in Virginia Guide (PDF) – Curriculum guide and supporting materials related to the Grade Six Science Standards of Learning energy standards.
• Alternatives to Animal Dissection, BOE Guidelines (PDF) – The Board of Education sets forth guidelines to be implemented by local school divisions regarding alternative dissection techniques. Dissections are not required by the Virginia Department of Education nor are they included as an expectation in the 2018 Science Standards of Learning.
• Web-based dissection simulations
  • Frog dissection: Virtual Frog Dissection Kit

Safety

• VDOE Safety in Science Teaching (2023) 
• Manuals available from ACS Chemical Science Safety in the classroom include:
  • Safety in the Elementary Classroom (Grades K-6)
  • Guidelines and Recommendations for Teaching Middle and High School Chemistry
• Manuals available from OSHA Laboratory Safety Documents include:
  • Laboratory Safety Guidance
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan Fact Sheet
  • Working with Small Animals Quick Facts
• CDC School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide
• Manuals available from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources include:
  • Wildlife in the Classroom: What is Required to Display Wildlife in the Classroom
  • Elementary & Secondary Wildlife Display Reporting Form
• Safety Observation Tool (Word)
• Science Safety Self-Assessment Checklist (Word)

Environmental Literacy

The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish expectations of what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in English, mathematics, science, history/social science and other subjects.  The SOL in certain disciplines support Environmental Literacy explicitly and in others implicitly. Environmental Literacy  offers connections to the Virginia Standards of Learning, school programs in action, teaching resources, grant programs, and more.

Outside Websites

• Meaningful Watershed Experience – The 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, adopted by the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership through the Chesapeake Executive Council, reaffirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to the shared goals and outcomes of the multijurisdictional agreement. The Engaged Communities Goal and associated outcomes apply across all localities and watersheds of the Commonwealth and maintain a focus on ensuring environmental literacy for all students by graduation. One goal is to continually increase students’ age-appropriate understanding of the watershed through participation in teacher-supported, Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) and rigorous, inquiry-based instruction, with a target of at least one meaningful watershed educational experience in elementary, middle and high school depending on available resources. These experiences connect standards-based classroom activities with hands-on field investigations.
• Department of Wildlife Resources – wildlife and fisheries resources for students and teachers
• Science Museum of Virginia – information for planning field trips to the museum
• Science Museum of Western Virginia – educational programs for students and professional development for teachers in grades K-12
• Virginia Environmental Literacy Network - a statewide community dedicated to advancing environmental literacy for all
• Virginia Department of Forestry – conservation education information for students
• Virginia Living Museum - information on activities in the museum and outreach programs
• Virginia Museum of Natural History – information on professional development opportunities for teachers and resources for students including Virginia Science Standards Institute and Virginia Science Institute for STEM Education information and materials
• Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program – information on the commonwealth's official environmental education school recognition program
• Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom – educational program to increase agricultural literacy in grades K-8
• NASA – space-related educational resources for teachers and students
• Virginia Junior Academy of Science – information for programs and competitions for the advancement of science in grades 7-12