OpenSciEd Middle School — Massachusetts Supports

Since 2018, Massachusetts has supported and contributed to the development of these open-source middle school science instructional materials through collaboration on a scope and sequence, design specifications, and instructional model of the instructional materials. Massachusetts districts and middle school science teachers have field tested the materials and provided feedback to improve them.

All of the OpenSciEd middle school units are available at OpenSciEd Middle School Science . The middle school course has received "all green" ratings on EdReports , an independent marker of quality, and was well-rated through the Massachusetts CURATE process. Resources for implementation and adoption in Massachusetts are available below.

Opportunity for Middle School CS Integration

OpenSciEd, in partnership with Amazon Future Engineers, is developing five OpenSciEd computer science infused middle school units. The units will emphasize engineering design and computer science and incorporate career connection and exploration opportunities in the fields of computer science and engineering. OpenSciEd is planning to offer professional learning and implementation support for Massachusetts teachers in the summer of 2026. Email casandra.gonzalez@mass.gov if you are interested in participating.

Middle School Adoption and Implementation Support Resources

Due to variations between the 2016 MA STE Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Center for Instructional Support has developed instructional guidance to support teachers in addressing all of the MA grade-level standards. The following resources are available for teachers in Massachusetts:

• Massachusetts Alternative Option- Scope and Sequence/Alignment of units — Updated October 2025

• Additional On-Demand Supports from OpenSciEd

Massachusetts unit specific instructional guidance

• 6^th grade units
  • Light & Matter
  • Sound Waves
  • Forces at a Distance
  • Earth in Space
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Cells & Systems
  
  
• 7^th grade units
  • Contact Forces
  • Thermal Energy
  • Matter Cycling & Photosynthesis
  • Ecosystem Dynamics & Biodiversity
  • Earth's Resources & Human Impact
  • Natural Hazards
  
  
• 8^th grade units
  • Chemical Reactions & Matter
  • Chemical Reactions & Energy
  • Metabolic Reactions
  • Genetics
  • Natural Selection & Common Ancestry
  • Weather
  
  

Implementation Support for School & District Leaders

Selecting HQIM is just the beginning of a complex, multi-year implementation process. Many tools for leaders to support implementation of Science HQIM are available at the NGSS Curriculum Tools Leadership site . If you would like to begin the process of evaluating, selecting, and implementing HQIM, we recommend using the IMplementMA process or a similar process. DESE offers annual networks that are open to all Massachusetts districts in support of the evaluating/selecting and implementing/monitoring processes.

DESE has created a suite of instructional planning and classroom observation tools to support school teams in using HQIM.

Professional Learning

High-quality, standards-aligned instruction represents a change in pedagogy and instruction, not just content and curriculum materials. Schools and districts that intend to adopt HQIM should ensure that teachers have ample time in their schedule to experience ongoing professional learning. Professional learning should be curriculum specific whenever possible, and should include a combination of formal unit training, guided professional learning communities, and responsive coaching.

For OpenSciEd, it is recommended to use a certified provider to provide unit training and to support district and school leadership in developing the competencies needed to build supportive learning systems for teachers.

Grant Opportunities

A grant opportunity to support middle school adoption and implementation is available through the One8 Applied Learning Hub. To learn more, visit One8 Grant Opportunities .

To view grant opportunities offered in the past, please visit the archived grant offerings page. Search for "OpenSciEd" to see relevant offerings.

Last Updated: October 24, 2025