OpenSciEd Is Different
We’ve reimagined the science education experience to ensure that all students can excel in and outside the classroom and are prepared to thrive in the world of tomorrow.
OpenSciEd’s world-class, Next Generation Science Standards-aligned instructional materials are designed for how students learn science best. Our high-quality, adaptable, full-course curriculum supports equitable science learning through phenomenon-based, three-dimensional units that prioritize understanding and unbiased sensemaking.
When using OpenSciEd’s knowledge-rich curriculum, you can be assured that students:
- Learn through an iterative process building on new understanding and knowledge;
- Discover, investigate, and construct understanding with their peers; and
- Develop their ability to solve problems, ask questions, interpret data, and argue from evidence.
Check out our middle school curriculum.
In OpenSciEd classrooms, teachers are learning facilitators, not lecturers. Using a storyline model, they work with students to experience our phenomenon-based lessons firsthand. Our instructional model leads students through five routines where they investigate different questions, put the pieces together from those investigations, and then problematize the next set of questions to investigate.
“I did the weather unit with students, and I loved watching the productive struggle as they worked through it. They were completely engaged and thinking in a critical way!”
Benefits of Using OpenSciEd in the Classroom
Science is central to humans’ lives and helps us understand the world around us. Therefore, science education is crucial to students, as it prepares them to be successful in their educational, personal, and professional endeavors. An excellent science education prepares students for long-term success in science and beyond.
“The curriculum has engaged students in relevant and authentic science practices and processes. We have seen a dramatic increase in our science scores in addition to students seeking career opportunities in STEM.”
Recognized for High Quality
All OpenSciEd units have been rated as ‘quality’ by the Science Peer Review Panel at NextGenScience. 93% of instructional materials submitted to the Science Peer Review Panel for review do not achieve a quality ranking
Relevant and Meaningful Coursework
OpenSciEd follows strict design specifications to ensure a quality product that engages diverse students, prompts engrossing discourse and supports the teacher in making science come alive. Through student-led discovery, OpenSciEd fosters a classroom culture of equitable participation where students from all backgrounds contribute at high levels and report that others take their ideas seriously.
“OpenSciEd is designed to increase accessibility for all students.”
Flexibility in the Classroom
With our fully adaptable lessons, teachers must no longer spend time searching for materials. Instead, they can focus their time, energy, and creativity on bringing lessons to life and finding ways to inspire their students to learn and grow based on their unique needs and interests. We encourage teachers to download our materials and customize them to fit their students’ needs.
Stop Searching & Start Engaging
Science teachers spend an average of 11 hours per week searching for and creating instructional materials for their classes.
OpenSciEd is a freely available, high-quality, comprehensive curriculum that allows teachers to use their time planning, assessing and meeting the needs of individual students rather than searching.
Professional Learning
Providing high-quality science instructional materials is only part of the equation. Teachers need the skills and knowledge to facilitate science instruction compellingly and engagingly. Our professional learning provides teachers with the materials and support to get all students excited about investigating the world around them.
Our curriculum-based professional learning leverages OpenSciEd’s award-winning materials to help teachers reach and engage every student in science learning. Six different professional learning sessions support the classroom materials. Like our curriculum, all of our professional learning resources are Open Educational Resources (OER), so you can easily download, adapt, and share.
Learn How to Use OpenSciEd Materials
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