“A well designed, high quality curriculum charts a course for studnt learning by setting in motion a sequence of experiences that build knowledge and skills and create strong critical thinkers.”
High-quality instructional materials in science leverage ALL students’ questions and ideas to drive active sensemaking in order to figure out scientific phenomena or solve engineering design challenges. OpenSciEd uses a student-centered storyline approach that elevate engagement and excitement for learning science. Students use the Science and Engineering Practices to collectively move their thinking forward as they explore relevant real-world questions. With world-class teams of developers and a Creative Commons license, OpenSciEd is an affordable and accessible option to elevate your students’ thinking and reasoning. Independent reviews by EdReports and the Science Peer Review Panel assure that the entire program is designed to help your students find success in learning science.
Phenomenon Based
Centered around figuring out phenomena or solving problems
Coherent for Students
Driven by students’ questions and ideas
Driven by Evidence
Incremental building and revision of ideas based on evidence
Collaborative
WE figure out ideas together
Equitable
Requires a classroom culture that values all ideas
Einstein Project can help you every step of the way towards a successful and sustainable implementation.
The Einstein Project is proud to have received OpenSciEd certification for our curriculum kits. We are happy to provide pilot materials, as well as curriculum kit sales and leases at a competitive price for school districts or individual educators using our professional learning services.
Teacher and student resources can be downloaded and printed or purchased for a reasonable price. However, many teachers have commented that the original formatting is dense and difficult to navigate. Some materials providers have created their own versions and their own print materials. We are currently not including print resources with curriculum leases or purchases. If print materials are desired, the Einstein Project reccomends the Carolina Version.
OpenSciEd was published under a Creative Commons License (CC BY 4.0). That means that access is open to everyone to use, modify, and even make new versions, as long as proper attribution is made. Most files are available in Google Docs and PDF. Using documents directly from OpenSciEd ensures that you will always have the most current version.
The Einstein Project is a Certified OpenSciEd Professional Learning Provider. We firmly believe that educators adopting OpenSciEd need in-depth learning oportunities to experience the OpenSciEd instructional model as a learner. It is through this curriculum-based professional learning that you will come to appreciate the engaging and sometimes challenging process of sensemaking. The rewards will unfold before your eyes as you begin to see a shift in the way your students engage in their science learning.
“Curriculum matters, but how teachers use
curriculum matters even more.”
Program Overview
Is your team interested in learning more about what OpenSciEd has to offer? Einstein Project staff can provide a 1-hour to 1-day, hands-on professional learning experience to get to know OpenSciEd. Explore the instructional routines that make up and OpenSciEd storyline. Learn more about three-dimensional sensemaking through a phenomenon driven storyline. This overview is also a great way for administrators to get to know what instruction looks like in an OpenSciEd classroom.
Curriculum Launch
Are you ready to begin teaching your first OpenSciEd unit? A curriculum launch is designed as a 3 or 4 day learning experience that immerses you as a student learning in the OpenSciEd pedagogy. Experience the anchoring phenomenon. Construct a driving question board. Construct an initial model showing your early ideas of how the phenomenon might work. Dig into the lesson storyline to develop a better understanding of where your unit is headed and how your students will conduct investigations to figure out the science behind real-world phenomenon.
Deep Dives
As you move on to learn about the rest of the units in your grade level, diver deeper into specific features of the OpenSciEd instructional model. Explore more ways to engage students in sensemaking. Practice leading equitable discussions. Discover the innovation behind OpenSciEd’s assessments. Learn more about how Universal Design is woven into each unit. Experience ways to help students make thier thinking visible in both writing and drawings. Each deep dive PD is connected to an OpenSciEd unit to help you prepare for instruction.
“The Einstein Project is enabling excellence in STEM education. Through easy and affordable access to high-quality instructional resources and transformational professional learning experiences, we are empowering educators to provide high-quality learning experiences for all.”
Einstein Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit STEM resource center driven to empower educators and inspire learners.
