Back to All Updates
Update July 20, 2026

Science Slide Decks Now Include Recurring Themes & Connections

by Stephen Fleenor • last updated July 20, 2026 by Stephen Fleenor

There are 7 Recurring Themes & Concepts (RTCs), which are also called Cross-Cutting Concepts (CCCs), that are infused throughout all Science standards, K-12. We've created a slide for every Science slide deck that includes simple visuals depicting each RTC and asking students to discuss how the main vocabulary word of the lesson is related to one of the RTCs. There is no one right answer, so it's simply a great a discussion that gets students thinking about the themes of science. Also, they'll see the same visuals for the RTCs every time they do this activity, so by the end of the year, they will be very familiar with the RTCs!

Here are the 7 Recurring Themes & Concepts:

  • Cause and Effect
  • Flow of Energy and Cycling of Matter
  • Interdependence and Parts of a System
  • Structure and Function
  • Stability and Change
  • Patterns
  • Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Texas Education Agency has also produced these posters depicting the 7 RTCs.

×