Last year, the Meridian School District adopted the OpenSciEd curriculum, a phenomena-driven approach to science education designed to engage students by centering each unit around real-world phenomena.
This curriculum is implemented across grades 6 through 11, with middle school following an integrated model and high school courses organized into biology, chemistry, and physics, with earth science and engineering concepts woven throughout. Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), OpenSciEd fills a gap in curricula that truly align with these standards, especially at the high school level.
“It’s amazing that the curriculum provides all the necessary data and resources. This allows us to focus on facilitating learning rather than creating materials from scratch” said Meridian High School science teacher Andrea Ames.
OpenSciEd promotes equity in science education by emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence based argumentation. For example, high school chemistry classes learn about thermodynamics and chemical reactions through real-world issues like ocean acidification and sea level rise, while biology students investigate how cancer develops as a mechanism for learning about cells and genetics.
By focusing on real-world problems, OpenSciEd equips students with the tools and skills they need to solve complex issues.
“We follow the process of a scientist by modeling our thinking about the phenomena, doing investigations, collecting data, and constructing explanations,” said Meridian Middle School science teacher Frank McGowan.
The curriculum remains hands-on, with students actively engaging in experiments and investigations. One recent middle school unit focused on ecosystems and their dynamics, using a case study of orangutans and palm oil plantations.
“We better understand science when we are engaging with it,” McGowan said. Collaboration is also a key component, with teachers from different grade levels meeting regularly to ensure consistency and continuity, and monitor student progress.
“This collaborative approach helps us share best practices and support each other,” Ames said.
Overall, OpenSciEd represents a shift in science education, moving away from rote memorization and towards a more engaging and real-world approach to learning.