OpenSciEd Releases Latest Free Middle School Science Unit

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 01/07/21

Nonprofit OpenSciEd has released new hands-on learning content for eighth-grade science. The latest unit covers "forces at distance" with 12 lessons for 30 days of classes. Among the inquiries covered are:

  • What causes a speaker to vibrate?

  • What can a magnet pull or push without touching?

  • How does energy transfer between things that aren't touching?

The activities primarily require ordinary materials (such as a screwdriver and scissors, cardboard and foil) and a few more specialized resources (a couple of four-inch speakers to be dismantled, small disk magnets, alligator wires and clips and "tiny compasses").

Each unit developed by the organization includes a set of professional learning resources, with instructional agendas, slides and videos.

The latest one builds toward three Next Generation Science Standards: Middle School (MS) PS2-3 and PS2-5, "Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions"; and MS-PS3-2, "Energy."

OpenSciEd was launched to create high-quality open-source science instructional materials, specifically for middle schools. The lessons are available for science teachers to access and download freely. All align with NGSS and are developed by educators and tested by teachers. The organization expects to be finished with middle school lesson by February 2022. Then it hopes to expand its efforts into elementary and high school science.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.