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OpenSciEd
What it is
OpenSciEd creates free, NGSS-aligned science curriculum and professional learning resources for educators from elementary through high school. Its lessons use phenomena-based instruction, asking students to question, investigate, and solve problems. Teachers can download and adapt released units as PDFs, Google Drive files, Word documents, or PowerPoint presentations; some units also have Google Classroom or Canvas versions. Free self-guided learning paths connect to the materials and instructional practices, while an on-demand support library provides videos and resources for preparing units, understanding routines, anticipating student ideas, and classroom implementation. Registration is required and intended for educators or parents rather than K–12 students. Middle school materials use CC BY 4.0; elementary and high school materials use CC-BY-NC licensing with free, perpetual noncommercial 5R permissions. OpenSciEd High School offers three NGSS courses. OpenSciEd describes itself as an independent nonprofit.
For and against
For
- Free curriculum and learning paths
- Covers elementary, middle, and high school
- Lessons are designed for adaptation
- Downloads include multiple file formats
- Some units integrate with LMS platforms
Against
- Registration required for materials
- Access is not intended for K–12 students
- Elementary and high school licenses are noncommercial
- Website availability is not guaranteed
The verdict
OpenSciEd provides a substantial free curriculum library organized around phenomena-based science instruction. Its downloads, licensing distinctions, teacher support, and professional learning make the offering practical for educators who can register.
Who it suits
It suits educators and parents seeking adaptable, standards-aligned science materials for K–12 settings. Teachers wanting downloadable lessons, professional learning, and classroom support resources may benefit from its offerings.
Plans and prices
OpenSciEd core curriculum
Free online access · downloadable PDFs and Google Drive versions · registration required
Read 15 Oct 2026 · openscied.org
OpenSciEd curriculum and resources
registration required · educators or parents only
Read 2 Oct 2026 · openscied.org
Certified distributor packages
Printed books · laboratory kits · online platforms · professional learning
Read 15 Oct 2026 · openscied.org
Packaged curriculum from certified distributors
books · lab kits · online platforms
Read 2 Oct 2026 · openscied.org
On the record
- Accessibility
- OpenSciEd publishes Accessibility Conformance Reports addressing Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 for elementary, middle and high-school materials.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Adaptability
- Teachers are encouraged to download and customize the fully adaptable lessons for their students’ needs.openscied.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Assessment feature
- Assessment is primarily formative and teacher-managed, using written explanations, discussion artifacts and evolving models.mission.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Availability limitation
- OpenSciEd says it cannot guarantee that the website will always be running and disclaims liability for data loss caused by unavailability.openscied.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Canvas API
- The Canvas Loader uses Canvas APIs to create native courses, modules, assignments, files, discussions and quizzes; it does not enroll students or retrieve outcomes.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Classroom integrations
- Some units can be downloaded in Google Classroom or Canvas versions.openscied.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Commercial-use limit
- Commercial reuse is handled through a separate agreement and may require fees; the June 3, 2026 version adds restrictions on AI training plus human review and disclosure requirements.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company status
- LinkedIn lists OpenSciEd as a nonprofit primary and secondary education organization founded in 2018, headquartered in New York City, with 11–50 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Computer-science integration
- Five middle-school units integrate computer science for data collection, modeling and testing.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Corrections process
- OpenSciEd maintains a public corrections page listing post-release inaccuracies and updates by grade, course and unit.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Curriculum access
- Core instructional materials can be downloaded free from the OpenSciEd website, while packaged print, kit and platform versions are sold through certified distributors.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- Released units can be downloaded as PDFs or Google Drive files and downloaded as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files.openscied.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Funding supporters
- OpenSciEd identifies Carnegie Corporation, Schusterman, Gates, Walton and Hewlett foundations among supporters of its early development.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Google and Canvas downloads
- Units are available as Google Suite files or PDFs, and a Canvas Loader imports assignments and materials as editable draft posts.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Google Classroom integration
- The Google Classroom Loader creates draft assignments and material posts that teachers can edit, target to sections and share with colleagues.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Grade levels
- The curriculum is offered for elementary, middle, and high school.openscied.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- High-school courses
- The high-school program includes biology, chemistry and physics courses with Earth and space science content, hands-on investigations and data analysis.openscied.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- High school offering
- OpenSciEd High School offers three courses addressing the NGSS.openscied.org · read 2 Oct 2026
