OpenSciEd
What is OpenSciEd?
OpenSciEd is a free, high quality, NGSS-aligned secondary science curriculum. The materials are an Open Education Resource (OER), meaning they are free for all educators and students to use, customize, and share. Elementary-level curriculum is coming soon.

A state-wide partnership to accelerate student learning
The OpenSciEd WA project is led by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in close collaboration with the nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs), united as the Association of ESDs or AESD Network. The project is designed to support and accelerate student learning in secondary science programs. The ESD Regional Science Coordinators work together as a state team with OSPI to support teacher and administrator professional learning in newly developed and aligned OpenSciEd science learning materials for grades 6-12.
The AESD Network serves as a project management and coordinator for the statewide project by facilitating and hosting professional learning events; providing technical assistance and support for implementation; establishing structures for teacher networking across the state; and informing the development of additional instructional and assessment materials.
Background
Beginning in 2018, Washington State, along with several other partner states, began field testing the OpenSciEd Middle School (MS) curriculum. In the next 3 years, teachers and students gave feedback on these field test units and they were revised and reviewed by the NGSS peer review panel. In Spring 2022, the full curriculum was released to the public as an Open Education Resource.
Expanding on the success of the middle school units, OpenSciEd began the field test of their high school curriculum in summer of 2021. Once again, Washington State agreed to participate in the project and has 36 teachers from around the state engaging in the biology, chemistry, and physics courses. Funding to support the MS and HS field test has been provided by the ClimeTime grant.
2023 OpenSciEd HS Summer Institute
August 1 – August 3, 2023 | 8:00am – 4:00pm each day
ESD 112 | 2500 NE 65th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98661
The OpenSciEd High School Summer Institute is a 3-day, in-person workshop will introduce high school teachers to the HS OpenSciEd curriculum and instructional routines that support student sense-making in secondary science. The focus will be on three specific units:
- Biology Unit 1 – Ecosystems: Interactions and Dynamics
- Chemistry Unit 1 – Thermodynamics in Earth’s Systems
- Physics Unit 1 – Energy Transfer from Earth’s Systems into our Communities
Participants will receive:
- A stipend ($320 for each of day of training)
- 24 STEM clock hours
- Travel reimbursement
Optional Wrap Around OpenSciEd Facilitator Training
July 31, 2023 | 8:00am – 4:00pm & August 4, 2023 | 8:00am-noon
ESD 112 | 2500 NE 65th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98661
In addition to the HS OpenSciEd curriculum introduction and unit specific training, we are offering an optional OpenSciEd Facilitator Training. As an ESD network, we are building a cohort of district leaders and classroom teachers to lead future professional learning in OpenSciEd as the use of these materials expands across the state. Learn more about the professional learning program that supports the OpenSciEd curriculum and gain confidence and skills to train teachers at your school, district, or across the state.
Professional Development
As more teachers across WA state access OpenSciEd materials, there is a great need for ongoing professional development in these materials. Expansion of OpenSciEd professional development is funded through the ESSER Secondary Science Pathways grant and the Williams foundation.
Please explore this site to learn about all the professional development opportunities occurring in WA state.
Join a growing community of OpenSciEd teachers
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
2023 OpenSciEd MS Summer Institute
June 27, 28 & 29, 2023 @ 8am-4pm
ESD 101 – Spokane, WA
Join us for a three-day, in-person training introducing teachers to the instructional routines of OpenSciEd and the first unit at the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade.
Materials & Teachers Support
- Digital and physical materials provided to participating teachers for their classroom
- Stipend for teacher participation ($320 for each of three training days)
HS OpenSciEd Field Test Round 7 - March 6-7
OpenSciEd Community of Practice
September 27th @ 4-5:30 pm
October 25th @ 4-5:30 pm
November 29th @ 4-5:30 pm
OpenSciEd Initial Use Trainings
Implementing OpenSciEd 6.4 Plate Tectonics and Rock Cycling
Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Tuesday, November 1 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Implementing OpenSciEd 6.5 Natural Hazards
Mondays, January 9th and January 23rd, 4–6 pm
6 STEM clock hours
Implementing OpenSciEd 6.6 Cells and Systems
Wednesdays, March 1st and March 15th, 4–6 pm
Implementing OpenSciEd 7.4 Matter Cycling and Photosynthesis
Wednesday, October 26 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Wednesday, November 9 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Implementing OpenSciEd 7.5 Ecosystem Dynamics
Thursdays, January 19th and February 2nd, 4–6 pm
6 STEM clock hours
Implementing OpenSciEd 7.6 Earth’s Resources and Human Impact
Tuesdays, February 28th and March 14th, 4–6 pm
Implementing OpenSciEd 8.4 Earth in Space
Thursday, October 20 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Thursday, November 3 2022, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Implementing OpenSciEd 8.5 Genetics
Wednesdays, January 11th and January 25th, 4–6 pm
6 STEM clock hours
Implementing OpenSciEd 8.6 Natural Selection and Common Ancestry
Wednesdays, March 8th and March 22nd, 4–6 pm
Sign up for updates!
We’ll keep you informed on the latest OpenSciEd news and professional learning opportunities!
Past Learning Opportunities
HS OpenSciEd Field Test Round 6
WSTA Fall 2022 Conference
HS OpenSciEd Field Test Round 5
Vancouver Summer Institute - July 25-29, 2022
HS OpenSciEd Field Test Round 4
Access is restricted to field test teachers only. If you are interested in becoming a WA state OpenSciEd HS field test teacher, please contact Will Baur.
Wenatchee Summer Institute - August 8-12, 2022
OpenSciEd Equitable Assessment Project - August 18-19, 2022
Resources
News Articles
- Hungry for more student interest, WA teachers test a free science curriculum
- OpenSciEd teacher training at Evergreen Public Schools’ headquarters promotes new perspectives
- Local High School Biology Class Experiences the Benefits of OpenSciEd Curriculum in the Classroom
- Battle Ground students learn about digestion through firsthand experience
- OpenSciEd Summer Institute Brings Together Teachers from Across Washington State to Learn About New Science Curriculum
- Promising avenues in science
OpenSciEd Contacts
If you can’t get in touch with Will Baur, try connecting with your ESD’s regional science coordinator to learn about other educators using OpenSciEd in your region.