This unit helps students develop an understanding of the elements of evolution by natural selection and learn to apply that understanding to protect populations endangered by urbanization. Students learn through modeling, reading, and discussing adaptations of published scientific studies of nonhuman populations impacted by urbanization. They develop criteria for designing urban systems that protect populations […]

This session will outline work that Saint Paul Public Schools, BSCS Science Learning, and OpenSciEd have done to adapt OpenSciEd materials to support standards implementation and district equity goals. The session will explain key considerations and modifications needed to align materials with domain-specific standards, while maintaining curricular coherence from the students’ perspective. The team will […]

OpenSciEd HS’s reversible reactions unit on ocean chemistry has three unique foci: 1) engineering, 2) math with scale, proportion, and quantity, and 3) relevance to students. Students use stoichiometry and acid-base reactions to make sense and design solutions to prevent oyster die off. TAKEAWAYS: This unit supports students as they figure out understandings of reversible reactions […]

OpenSciEd HS Physics units use a storyline approach to help students figure out answers to their questions in a three-dimensional, coherent, and equitable way. In this session, participants will experience that approach firsthand as they engage with the fifth unit’s anchor in ""student hat"", a unit anchored in the use of the microwave and its […]

Explore the comprehensive assessment system that accompanies the OpenSciEd high school program. This comprehensive system includes opportunities for formative, summative, self, and peer assessment. The session will guide participants through the multiple assessment types and will explore in-depth electronic exit tickets and transfer tasks. Electronic exit tickets give teachers an opportunity to formatively assess students' […]

OpenSciEd HS engages students with complex, flexible, and purposeful mathematical thinking to meet the NGSS. We illustrate how NGSS practices 4 and 5 (analyzing data and math) are central and supported as students develop explanations, models, and solutions in chemistry and physics. TAKEAWAYS: Leveraging data analysis and mathematical thinking in the context of meaningful phenomena […]

Expand the socio-ecological thinking you bring to science phenomena using frameworks from Learning in Places. Experience examples of how these frameworks are part of the OpenSciEd biology course. TAKEAWAYS: Recognize […]

When using OpenSciEd, it is a challenge to help students not only figure out science ideas, but how to work together and support each other. This panel of classroom teachers […]