Resources for OpenSciEd Educators

Just downloading OpenSciEd is not enough! Implementing OSE well takes:

A commitment to learn alongside students:

OSE is a big change from “business as usual” and will require teachers to learn and grow just as their students do as they test new cutting edge approaches to science instruction.
An investment in professional learning:

Professional learning is critical to ensuring educators understand the curriculum’s pedagogical shifts and feel well equipped to implement.
Embracing discourse in the classroom:

OSE units are centered on an anchoring phenomenon designed to elicit and feed student curiosity. Units are driven forward by students’ ideas, questions and classroom discussion.
Collaboration with other educators:

Getting started with OSE can be daunting. Resources we offer, such as coaching and networking with other Massachusetts OSE educators, can help teachers feel confident to hit the ground running.

Professional learning for teachers

OpenSciEd’s unit-specific PD is critical to effectively implementing this cutting-edge curriculum. OSE is effective because it is not just a new curriculum; it is a new philosophy. The PD ensures that teachers have the understanding and skills they need to incorporate the philosophical changes necessary to help students reach sensemaking.

Winter 2025 Professional Development provided by NSTA

Sessions & Dates

Round 2 – Key Elements ($500/seat):
- Units Offered:
  - 6.2 – Thermal Energy (MA 7.2)
  - 8.2 – Sound Waves (MA 6.2)
  - 7.2 – Chemical Reactions & Energy (MA 8.2)
- Dates & Locations:
  - Feb 3-4 at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood, MA
  - Feb 5-6 at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood, MA
  - Feb 10-11 at the Hotel UMass in Amherst, MA

Round 4 – Universal Design for Learning ($500/seat):
- Units Offered:
  - 6.3 – Weather (MA 8.6)
  - 7.4 – Matter Cycling & Photosynthesis (MA 7.3)
  - 8.4 – Earth in Space (MA 6.4)
- Dates & Locations:
  - Feb 3-4 at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood, MA
  - Feb 10-11 at the Hotel UMass in Amherst, MA

Round 6 – Writing & Drawing ($500/seat):
- Units Offered:
  - 6.6 – Cells (MA 6.6)
  - 7.6 – Earth’s Resources & Human Impact (MA 7.5)
  - 8.6 – Natural Selection (MA 8.5)
- Dates & Locations:
  - Feb 5-6 at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood, MA