Robert Martinez and Bill Moulton serve as Co-Chairs of the Texas Energy Council’s K-12 Education Committee. The emphasis in 2020 and 2021 was the once-in-ten-year revision to Texas’ K-12 Science TEKS.
The earth sciences and the energy industry in particular, have suffered significant degradation in the K-12 curriculum over time. TEC committed to participate in the State Board of Education (SBOE) TEKS revision process. Their process appoints workgroups of qualified volunteers, intended to represent a diverse cross-section of the 15 SBOE districts as well a stakeholders including educators and industry.
TEC recruited 17 volunteers who shared its vision of ensuring that the energy industry is portrayed in a balanced fashion and as a critical contribution to Texas, the US and worldwide. These applicants represented six different SBOE districts, included science educators and industry professionals; geoscientists, engineers, energy leaders, university professors, attorneys, museum directors.
The SBOE has to date engaged three workgroups meeting three days per week, several hours each meeting for several weeks.
TEC received support from the TRRC , Texas Natural Gas Foundation and TXOGA in its efforts to improve the K-12 Science TEKS curriculum.
An explanation of the process and the conclusions of each workgroup are posted on the SBOE site; https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/science-teks-review .The final SBOE recommendations will be issued for public comment in September 2020.
SBOE Members are elected officials and can be found at; https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/leadership/state-board-of-education/sboe-board-members/sboe-members .The Texas Energy Council encourages any of its 35 State-wide affiliate associations and any industry professional to express your opinion, during the public review period, to your District Member.
After conclusion of this initiative, TEC will leverage the valuable relationships gained, to pursue future Texas K-12 programs to further the objective of a balanced Portrayal of all contributors to the energy industry as a model the Texas, US and worldwide energy mix.
Specific questions should be directed to Robert Martinez, Robert.Martinez@titanrockep.com or Bill Moulton, wjmoulton@oilandgashunter.com .