

24-25 STEELS Standards Resources
2024-2025 School Year

24-25 General Resources
STEELS Curriculum Alignment
Offered by ARIN IU28 at your district, this hands-on workshop is designed for districts looking to ensure their courses align with Pennsylvania's STEELS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Environment, and Literacy Standards). Participants will engage in a review of their curriculum to identify areas meeting the STEELS standards and pinpoint gaps in instruction.
This collaborative session requires a team approach, bringing together science teachers, administrators, technology and engineering educators, and agricultural or environmental science teachers. The workshop can be customized to address your district’s specific needs and goals, providing tailored support for a smooth transition to the STEELS framework.
For more information, please contact Stacie Isenberg, sisenberg@iu28.org
Are you interested in enhancing your STEELS standards? We invite all science educators to join a dynamic statewide Professional Learning Community (PLC) designed to transform science education.
These sessions offer science educators the opportunity to collaborate on the exploration of STEELS standards to tackle implementation challenges. Sessions will focus on:
- STEELS standards implementation
- Real classroom experiences
- Innovative teaching solutions
- Enhanced teaching practices
- Connections with science educators statewide
PLC Session Details
Session 1: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom
Session 2: Monday, February 3, 2025 - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom
Session 3: Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom
Session 4: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom
Sessions are FREE for all attendees and will be held virtually via Zoom.
Zoom link will be sent to registrants one week before each session.
PENNSELA Statewide STEELS Admin PLC
The PENNSELA Statewide STEELS Admin Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a collaborative network designed to support administrators across Pennsylvania in implementing the PA STEELS Standards with fidelity and impact. This PLC provides a space for educational leaders to engage in targeted discussions, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies for fostering three-dimensional, equity-centered science education.
Through regular meetings, expert-facilitated sessions, and peer learning opportunities, participants will deepen their understanding of the STEELS framework, explore ways to lead systemic change, and build capacity to support educators and students in achieving the vision of the standards. The PLC emphasizes practical solutions, data-informed decision-making, and the development of sustainable leadership practices that prioritize inclusive and effective science teaching and learning statewide.
This initiative is driven by the Pennsylvania Science Education Leadership Association (PENNSELA), in partnership with key stakeholders, to ensure that all administrators are equipped to champion high-quality science education in their schools and districts.
Regional STEELS In-Service
Calling ALL STEELS educators K-12! We are very excited to offer a regional opportunity to gather and learn together across districts and IU boundaries. Join us on Monday, March 17th at Franklin Regional Intermediate School from 8:00am-3:00pm to experience immersive, grade-banded and content specific sessions and networking opportunities.
Session Topics Include:
- Chemistry of Stars
- Inheritance & Variation of Traits
- Navigating the STEELS T&E Standards, Implementation Support, and Assessments
- Metabolic Reactions Immersive Experience
- Everest Immersive (6-8)
- What is happening to our corn? (An immersive session for K-2 science teachers)
- Physics and STEELS: Increasing understanding, and interest in physics
- 3D Photosynthesis Lessons as a Link Between Life, Earth and Space, and Environmental Literacy Standards
- An Administrators Guide for Implementation and Support of STEELS
- Elevating Learning: Engaging Students through Engineering Practices
- Phenomenon-based, 3D Science Immersion Grades 3-5
This event is made possible through grant funding. Registration for this event will close on January 3rd, 2025, at 5:00pm.
OpenSciEd Meets PA STEELS
The following webinars will be offered in the coming months to support PA Educators as they look to utilizing OpenSciEd's curricular resources. These webinars not only will support the use of these Open Educational Resource (OER) materials, but also provide additional ideas and support regarding their use in meeting the PA STEELS standards and local phenomena. Recorded webinars and more information can be found at this link.
Webinar hosts and contributors are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU). Pennsylvania has 29 intermediate units that work to support educators and schools across the state.
Paperscreening STEELS Curriculum Resources
On October 10, 2024, ARIN will host, at the Indiana County Conservation District, a session for science teachers and administrators on the paperscreening process. The Paperscreen Phase is a process and series of tools for gathering data from print or digital media, comparing that data to indicators found in the NextGen TIME rubrics, and analyzing the evidence based on a critical examination of the instructional materials.
Participants will analyze instructional materials from various sources throughout this session.
To register, please click on this link. For additional details click this link.
S - Science Opportunities
Elementary Science Liaison Network
Elementary Science Teachers Liaison Networks - 8:30 am - 3:00 pm at the ARIN Central Office.
During the 2024-2025 school year we will provide networking opportunities for elementary science teachers to learn more about the PA STEELS, 3-dimensional, phenomena-based teaching and learning and uncover classroom resources.
This group will meet four times during the year:
- October 24, 2024
- February 27, 2025- This session will be hosted at the Armsdale Center (Slides)
- March 11, 2025
- May 8, 2025 (at the Indiana County Conservation District located at 435 Hamill Rd, Indiana, PA 15701) This will be a joint session with middle and high school liaison network.
To register, click a date above. You must register separately for each session.
Science Liaison network is for science teachers who are willing to share the information gathered at the network session with their school administrators and teams.
--------------------------
Middle/High School Science Teachers Liaison Network
During the 2024-2025 school year we will provide networking opportunities for middle and high school science teachers to learn more about the PA STEELS, 3-dimensional, phenomena-based teaching and learning and uncover classroom resources.
This group will meet four times during the year:
- October 16, 2024
- December 18, 2024
- February 27, 2025 - This session will be hosted at the Armsdale Center (Slides)
- May 8, 2025 (at the Indiana County Conservation District located at 435 Hamill Rd, Indiana, PA 15701) This will be a joint session with middle and high school liaison network.
To register click a date above. You must register for each session.
T E - Technology & Engineering Opportunities
Technology and Engineering Session with Brandt Hutzel
On September 19, 2024, ARIN will host Brandt Hutzel for an in-person session on the Technology and Engineering pieces of the PA STEELS. To register please click on this link.
Recording Link from Brandt Hutzels Technology and Engineering STEELS session on February 21, 2024.
------------------
Technology and Engineering Immersive Experience
On November 6, 2024, ARIN will host a Technology and Engineering Immersive Experience for teachers and adminstrators. During this session, participants will refine their shared vision of key features of effective technology and engineering teaching and learning as reflected in the PA STEELS standards.
Participants will also increase knowledge and awareness of tools and resources that can lead to more effective technology and engineering teaching and learning. To register for this session please click here.
--------------------------
2024-2025 STEM Network
These sessions are appropriate for any teacher, K-12 who will address the Technology & Engineering standards from STEELS. If you are a STEM teacher or any teacher interested in addressing the T&E standards, this network is for you!
STEM Networking sessions are free and will be in collaboration with Westmoreland County IU7. Click here to register.
September 23, 2024
November 19, 2024
February 3, 2025
April 30, 2025
25-26 Dates:
September 26, 2025
November 10, 2025
February 9, 2026
April 9, 2026
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Barriers in STEM using a UDL Approach
December 16, 2024 at ARIN IU28
9am - 3pm
During this session designed with STEELS in mind, educators will collaborate to:
- Create STEM classrooms that are inclusive of all learners.
- Reduce barriers for students who may not otherwise have access to robust STEM experiences.
- Raise teachers’ awareness of inclusive design practices by using museum exhibits as exemplars.
- Encourage all students who engineer solutions to problems to use universal and inclusive design practices.
discoverED 2025 Building Bridges Across Pennsylvania
Building Bridges Across Pennsylvania
discoverED 2025, scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, May 6, 2025, is a virtual collaborative design challenge organized and led by the Fox Chapel Area School District. This event marks the official kickoff of Remake Learning Days in Pennsylvania, a learning festival for students and families. Remake Learning Days will be held across Pennsylvania from May 1-May 23, 2025.
During the discoverED 2025 celebration, schools across the state with diverse demographics will partner and "exchange" students in the afternoon, both in-person and virtually. Together, they will explore how STEAM and maker practices positively impact children. These virtual collaboration opportunities aim to create meaningful connections between teachers and students for years to come.
The highlight of discoverED 2025 will be a culminating joint activity. Participating schools will connect virtually as students plan, create, and refine their creation of a bridge to help an animal at risk of becoming endangered. Images and videos of the event will be shared using the hashtags #discoverED, #RemakeDays, #RLD10, and #CareerReadyPA.
Want to Join Us?
discoverED 2025 is just one part of the incredible Remake Learning Days in Pennsylvania! Visit www.remakelearningdays.org to learn more about these exciting educational opportunities for all students.
E L S - Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Opportunities
Environmental Literacy for your Elementary Classroom
On November 12, 2024, ARIN will host a session called Environmental Literacy for your Elementary Classroom. We will unpack the PA STEELS standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability and participate in activities that can be used in the classroom. We will also share resources from ARIN STEAM Lending Library. To register for this session click on this link.
--------------------------
Learning without Walls Summit (EL&S)
This summit will be held on June 10, 2025 and is free to attend.
The deadline to register as a participant is May 23, 2025.
Please do so at this link: Registration
Here is a link to the flyer for additional details.
If you are interested in presenting at this summit please go to this registration link. The deadline for presenters to indicate their session interest is March 31, 2025. We would love to have teachers who are willing to share their best practices and community partners presenting at this conference. The more model lessons or programs the better!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schoolyard Science Investigations - EL&S of PA STEELS
The Schoolyard Science Investigations session will immerse teachers in a simulated investigation that could be done in your schools backyard. The session will be geared to elementary teachers but can be used at any level. We will review the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability standards from the PA STEELS and share resources that can be used with your classrooms. We will host this session on April 8, 2025 at the Elderton Recreational Park from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm.
----------------------------------------------------
Grants to Support EL&S
The Indiana County Conservation District (ICCD) is reaching out to schools to assist with the application process for various grants to create opportunities for programs that align with the EL&S standards. Grant application windows run from May - August 2025.
For more information, please see the attached brochure or contact Blake or Alexis.
Contact Information:
Blake Mauthe
District Educator ICCD
Alexis Shank
Special Programs ICCD
Storytime STEM-packs
Are you looking for something for your youngest learners that addresses the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Standards while also focusing on STEM and Computer Science? Storytime STEM-packs are it! They are designed for PreK-2 children, connecting children’s literature with STEM and computer science. They are easy to use, effective, and your kids will love them! STEM-packs each take 45 minutes to implement. They include a popular children’s book, a facilitator guide, and all hands-on and print materials for 24 children.
Check out The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind from the Lending Library today!
___________________________________________________________
Local EL&S Resources / Connections
Indiana County Conservation District
Armstrong County Conservation District
Penn State Extension - Indiana County
Penn State Extension - Armstrong County
Curriculum Resources
⚛️ Science Curriculum Tools & Resources
- OpenSciEd - grades 6-12 available now, elementary will be available early 2025
NGSS Storylines - Next Generation Science Storylines project is dedicated to providing tools that support teachers in developing, adapting, and teaching with strongly aligned NGSS materials in classrooms around the country.
Inspire - free digital pilot for PA Schools
OER Commons - Open Educational Resources
Ambitious Science Teaching Tools - our 4 leveled trainings are based on these practices
Phenomena Driven Storylines - storylines for biology
Phenomena Finder - an interactive website from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Discovery Education - Pennsylvania STEELS - resources aligned to STEELS standards
Streamable Learning - Streamable Learning is excited to offer districts a pilot through the end of the current academic year that showcases our STEELS-aligned resources. Our coverage is extensive and includes live and interactive resources supporting 3.1 Life Science, 3.2 Physical Science, 3.3 Earth and Space Science, and 3.4 Environmental Literacy and Sustainability.
⚒️ Technology & Engineering Curriculum Tools & Resources
- ITEEA EbD Buzz - Engineering By Design curriculum resource - click here to request your own access.
- ITEEA Lesson Plans
- OER Commons - Open Educational Resources
Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) Opportunities - YES is a free curricular resource from the Museum of Science, Boston. The units engage students in real-world engineering programs. Through these hands-on engineering design challenges, student strengthens their knowledge of scientific concepts and computational thinking.
PBS Design Squad Global - This site includes all kinds of activities for young students to get involved with the Design and Engineering processes in a fun and engaging way. Take a look at some of these fantastic ideas.
Resources to Bookmark
MCIU created a grade level website with much easier access to the PA STEELS standards. Share this link with those who teach these subjects!
Assessment Information
Online Assessment Information
The documents below outline information for the transition to online assessments.
Firefly Benchmark Information
Please see the documents below for information on the Firefly Benchmark Assessments.