STEELS Standards
Support
IU29's regional hub for implementing Pennsylvania's Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability standards — serving IU29's 12 public school districts at no direct cost.
A New Framework
for Science Education
Pennsylvania's STEELS standards represent the most significant shift in K–12 science education in decades. Built on three dimensions that work together — Science & Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts — they ask teachers to teach differently, not just teach different content.
That's a lot to unpack. Whether you're a classroom teacher navigating new lessons or a curriculum director rebuilding your K–12 scope and sequence, IU29 provides practical, hands-on support that meets your district where it is — and helps it move forward.
Three-Dimensional Teaching
STEELS weaves Science & Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts into lessons that build lasting understanding — not just content recall.
Environmental Literacy Built In
Unlike previous frameworks, STEELS explicitly integrates environmental literacy and sustainability — connecting science to the world students actually live in.
Engineering as a Core Practice
Technology & Engineering isn't an add-on. STEELS positions engineering design as a central practice across all grade levels — supporting deeper problem-solving and real-world application.
STEELS Standards Domains
Pennsylvania's STEELS framework spans six domains across all grade levels, K through 12.
3.1 — Life Science
Ecosystems, heredity, evolution, and the molecular basis of heredity — from kindergarten through AP-level biology.
3.2 — Physical Science
Matter and its interactions, motion and stability, energy, and waves — connecting chemistry and physics to real phenomena.
3.3 — Earth & Space Science
Earth's systems, history, place in the universe, and climate — including human impacts and long-term sustainability.
3.4 — Environmental Literacy & Sustainability
A STEELS-first domain: connecting ecological thinking, environmental stewardship, and systems-level understanding across disciplines.
3.5 — Technology & Engineering
The nature of technology, engineering design processes, and the interconnections between engineering, science, and society.
ETS — Engineering Design
Problem scoping, solution testing, and iterative refinement — the engineering design process applied as a core science practice across all domains.
What We Offer
Every service below is available at no direct cost to IU29's 12 public member districts. We meet your team where you are and build from there.
Standards Unpacking Sessions
Facilitated half-day and full-day sessions that break down the 3-dimensional framework by domain — moving teams from "what does this mean?" to "how do I teach it?"
- ✦ Domain-by-domain deep dives
- ✦ Grade-band specific sessions
- ✦ Crosscutting concept integration
- ✦ Science & Engineering Practices
Curriculum Mapping Support
Work with IU29 staff to align your existing courses and units to STEELS — building a scope and sequence that fits your district's context and student population.
- ✦ K–12 scope & sequence frameworks
- ✦ Course-level alignment review
- ✦ 3D unit mapping templates
- ✦ Grade-band transition planning
Instructional Coaching
Job-embedded coaching in science and T&E classrooms — observation, collaborative planning, and reflective debriefs designed to shift practice, not just add activities.
- ✦ Classroom observation & feedback
- ✦ Co-planning sessions
- ✦ 3D teaching coaching cycles
- ✦ District or IU-based models
STEELS Resource Library
A curated collection of lesson materials, model units, planning templates, and assessment tools aligned to the full K–12 STEELS framework — ready to use or adapt.
- ✦ 3D lesson planning templates
- ✦ Model unit frameworks
- ✦ Assessment design tools
- ✦ MakerSpace integration toolkit
Curriculum Leader Network
IU29 facilitates regional meetings connecting science and T&E curriculum leaders from all 12 public school districts — to share progress, solve problems, and stay ahead of PDE guidance.
- ✦ Regular regional meetings
- ✦ Shared resource development
- ✦ Cross-district peer learning
- ✦ PDE updates & implementation guidance
AI-Powered Lesson Design
Use AI tools to accelerate STEELS-aligned unit planning — turning standards into lesson structures faster without sacrificing depth or rigor. Practical, teacher-tested workflows.
Learning That Moves
Practice Forward
STEELS implementation isn't a one-day training. It's a shift in how teachers design learning experiences — and that takes ongoing support, not a checklist.
IU29 offers a range of professional learning formats — from intensive workshops to coaching cycles to regional networks — designed to build capacity over time, not just add knowledge in the moment.
Standards Unpacking Workshops
Half-day and full-day facilitated sessions by domain — available district-wide or across multiple districts. Act 48 credit eligible.
3D Teaching Coaching Cycles
Pre-conference, classroom observation, and reflective debrief — a structured cycle for moving from planning to practice. Available in your building.
Schuylkill Science Leaders Network
IU29-facilitated regional meetings for curriculum leaders from all 12 public school districts. Share progress, co-develop resources, and stay current on PDE guidance.
AI-Powered STEELS Planning
Practical workshops showing teachers how to use AI tools to draft 3-dimensional lessons and units — faster planning, same depth, less friction.
STEELS Resource Library
Ready-to-use materials for teachers, curriculum leads, and administrators navigating STEELS implementation.
K–12 STEELS Standards (PDE, May 2023)
Full unpacked standards document — all domains K–12. The foundational reference for all STEELS implementation work.
3-Dimensional Lesson Planning Template
Science & Engineering Practices + DCIs + Crosscutting Concepts — a working template for designing lessons that hit all three dimensions.
Curriculum Mapping Guide by Grade Band
Scope & sequence frameworks for K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 — a starting point for district curriculum alignment work.
STEELS + MakerSpace Integration Toolkit
Connect hands-on making to standards-aligned engineering design — practical activities bridging the makerspace and 3.5 T&E standards.
T&E Standards Unpacking: Hummingbird Robotics
Domain 3.5 alignment guide for Hummingbird-based engineering lessons — cross-referenced with engineering design practices.
Environmental Literacy Field Experience Guide
MWEE framework connections aligned to domain 3.4 — includes Shared Waters activities and outdoor learning sequences.
Need access to any of these resources? Contact IU29 to request materials for your district.
Request Resource Access →"The STEELS support from IU29 made me feel like I actually understood what the standards were asking — and more importantly, how to teach them. The unpacking sessions were the most useful PD I've had in years."