One8 Foundation Awards Grant to UP Education Network to Implement OpenSciEd
Boston, MA (4/1/2021) – UP Education Network announced today that it has been awarded a grant from the One8 Foundation 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.
It is an exciting moment in science education in the Commonwealth as a group of schools transition to phenomena-based instruction truly aligned 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.
40 schools from 23 districts received grants from the One8 Foundation to support OpenSciEd implementation starting in the 2021-2022 school year. Grant funding will offset training 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 training, and additional professional learning resources and student programming through Mass STEM Hub, a program of the One8 Foundation.
“We are so thankful to the One8 Foundation, mighty champions of UP, for this generous grant to support our scholars' exploration of Science with a high quality curriculum aligned with our vision for academic excellence,” said Veronica Conforme, CEO of UP Education Network.
Dan Adler, Science Lead, shared, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to implement the OpenSciEd curriculum in our classrooms next year. This curriculum is completely aligned with our network science vision. Students will not just learn science, but DO science, using their skills to investigate and ultimately make sense of rich scientific phenomena.”
“The One8 Foundation is excited and proud to support schools and districts in their adoption of OpenSciEd. We have seen how 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.”
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.
