OpenSciEd brings together multiple partners, including Massachusetts as one of 10 partner states, a consortium of curriculum developers, and many other science education leaders and experts, to create a complete set of robust, research-based, open-source, K–12 science instructional materials while addressing demand for science instructional materials designed for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
In 2020, Massachusetts agreed to participate as a partner state in the development of materials for three full-year High School courses. Teachers in 5 Massachusetts districts field tested and provided feedback on units in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The field test concludes at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
The OpenSciEd High School units are being publicly released in phases, with the full curriculum due to be released by summer of 2024. Additional supplemental materials are being developed by DESE in order to ensure full alignment with the Massachusetts K–12 STE Frameworks. To receive Massachusetts-specific updates on the OpenSciEd high school course, please fill out this interest form: OpenSciEd HS in MA.
The units are being publicly released at the OpenSciEd High School website, with the full curriculum due to be released by summer of 2024. Additional supplemental materials are being developed by DESE in order to ensure full alignment with the Massachusetts K–12 STE Frameworks. To receive Massachusetts-specific updates on the OpenSciEd high school course, please fill out this interest form: OpenSciEd HS in MA.
The OpenSciEd Elementary (K–5) Field Test field test will begin in the 2023-2024 school year with the summer professional development in August 2023. The instructional materials and professional learning will be designed to support teachers in engaging students in scientific thinking that moves learning about science (memorizing facts) to figuring things out through phenomena-driven instruction that is collaborative and relevant to students lives. The instructional materials are aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks/Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and will include ELA/literacy and math integrations. Interested districts are encouraged to apply to be part of the field test. Reach out to Nicole Scola with any questions.
The Massachusetts OpenSciEd Elementary Field Test Information
If you missed the webinar regarding piloting and competitive grant information visit the OpenSciEd Elementary webinar slide deck . FAQ document .
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. The OpenSciEd Field Test in Massachusetts Report summarizes feedback on the OpenSciEd instructional materials provided by middle school Massachusetts teacher participants through two focus groups and one survey.
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. You may view the full report on EdReports. Resources for implementation and adoption in Massachusetts are available below.
High quality instructional materials require substantial pedagogical shifts in the classroom. We highly recommend using a certified OpenSciEd PD provider to support your implementation. You can find a list of certified providers that work with teachers in Massachusetts at Teacher Professional Development Provider - OpenSciEd.
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 suggested Scope and Sequence/Alignment of units — Updated May 2022
Remote Learning Guides
Massachusetts unit specific instructional guidance
BC/OEI Adoption & Implementation Support Grant — SeasonalIn partnership with the One8 Foundation, schools can apply for grants to help support adoption and implementation of the program, access in-state training, and receive additional support and complimentary programming from the OpenSciEd Equitable Instruction Initiative. The application is generally open between October-March of each school year. For more information, please visit the OEI website at Grants - OpenSciEd Equitable Science Instruction Initiative.
DESE FC601 Implementation Support Grant — ArchivedDESE offered a competitive grant to support schools and districts in their OpenSciEd implementation.
This grant closed in May of 2023.
DESE FC599 Elementary Field Test Grant — ArchivedDESE offered a competitive grant to districts in the OpenSciEd Elementary field test.
This grant closed in April of 2023.
DESE FC599 High School Field Test Grant — ArchivedDESE offered a targeted grant to districts in the OpenSciEd High School field test.
This grant closed in June of 2022.
Last Updated: August 29, 2023
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