Grant to enable OpenSciEd implementation of and training awarded by the One8 Foundation
NEW BEDFORD, MA – Alma del Mar has been awarded a grant from the One8 Foundation through the OpenSciEd Equitable Instruction (OEI) Initiative at Boston College to fund implementation of OpenSciEd, a middle school applied science curriculum using phenomenon-based instruction and aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). OpenSciEd is a nonprofit organization that brings together educators, philanthropic organizations, curriculum developers, and professional development providers to improve science education through the development and implementation of high-quality, freely available science instructional materials.
“The storyline approach has been so engaging for our scholars so far,” said Alexa Teevens, Alma’s Director of Curriculum. Our science teachers have had a really positive experience with the curriculum in our pilot this year and we are so excited to join the cohort to deepen our practice with this excellent resource!”
It is an exciting moment in science education in the Commonwealth as a group of schools transition to phenomena-based instruction that actively engages students in solving and sensemaking of science. OpenSciEd aligns with the intent of the Next Generation Science Standards and Massachusetts Curriculum Framework. It is a bold move and a huge step forward on the vision for science education for our students that will prepare students for our rapidly changing world.
The One8 Foundation is supporting the scale of OpenSciEd in Massachusetts with the most recent group of 36 schools from 19 districts receiving grants to support OpenSciEd implementation starting in the 2022-2023 school year. This group of 36 schools represents the second grant cohort and joins 40 schools from 23 districts who were funded last year. Grant funding will support professional development workshops and durable equipment costs associated with implementing OpenSciEd. In addition to grant funding, members of the Massachusetts OpenSciEd program receive implementation support, priority access to in-state workshops, and additional professional learning resources and student programming through the OpenSciEd Equitable Instruction (OEI) Initiative based at the Lynch School at Boston College as well as Mass STEM Hub, a program of the One8 Foundation.The One8 Foundation fully funded the start up and operation of the OEI initiative so that schools in Massachusetts will have robust professional development for this innovative science curriculum.
“The One8 Foundation is excited and proud to support schools and districts in their adoption of OpenSciEd. OpenSciEd provides the resources for educators to engage students as scientists with hands-on, relevant, inquiry-based lessons,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation.”The world is rapidly changing and students need to be able to apply what they learn to the real world. OpenSciEd does just that.”
“Historically, many youth, such as students of color, those who speak first languages other than English and young women, have not identified with science or had meaningful opportunities in their science classrooms.” said Dr. Katherine McNeill, Co-Director of the OEI initiative at Boston College. “We are excited about this opportunity to disrupt those inequalities by supporting schools and teachers in instruction that begins with the interests and curiosities of students.”,
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About the OpenSciEd Equitable Instruction Initiative
The goal of the OpenSciEd Equitable Science Instruction (OEI) Initiative is to help disrupt inequalities in science education by supporting schools and teachers in instruction that begins with the interests and curiosities of students and empowers student voice to support more equitable learning opportunities for all students. In partnership with One8 and MassSTEM Hub, the OEI Initiative will recruit, select, provide grants, and support schools through professional learning and on the ground support as they implement the OpenSciEd curriculum.
About the One8 Foundation
The One8 Foundation propels and supports outstanding leaders with compelling ideas that deliver scaled, sustainable social impact. The One8 education team identifies, supports and scales high impact programs and approaches that help schools and teachers prepare students for success in a rapidly changing, high tech world. One8 education focuses on applied learning opportunities, oriented around STEM and 21st century skills, that make learning relevant, stimulating and rewarding for students while amplifying understanding and interest. Learn more at one8.org.
About Mass STEM Hub
Mass STEM Hub is a program of the One8 Foundation and its mission is to provide schools with access to and support for applied learning and STEM education that builds knowledge and skills students need to succeed in a rapidly changing, high-tech world. Mass STEM Hub currently supports four programs in the Commonwealth: OpenSciEd, Project Lead The Way, STMath, and PBLWorks. Visit mass-stemhub.org to learn more.
About OpenSciEd
OpenSciEd is a nonprofit organization that brings together educators, philanthropic organizations, curriculum developers, and professional development providers to improve science education through the development and implementation of high-quality, freely available science instructional materials. While this work has begun at the middle school level with Grades 6 through 8, the goal of OpenSciEd is to ensure that all educators, from elementary to high school, have access to a free, coherent, rigorous, research-based set of instructional materials that will support all students in meeting the vision for science literacy described in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards.