Caregivers and Community Hub
Welcome, families and caregivers! The Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School invites students to investigate real-world phenomena, ask questions, and make sense of the world around them. This hub offers resources and information to help you stay informed, support learning, and celebrate your students’ discoveries throughout the year.
Program Overview
Carolina’s Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School Biology is a full-year, phenomena-based biology curriculum aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Your student learns biology by acting as a scientist—asking questions, gathering evidence, developing explanations, and refining their understanding over time. Lessons are organized around engaging, real-world phenomena that help students see the relevance of science in their everyday lives.
The program combines:
- Hands-on investigations
- Scientific modeling
- Data analysis
- Reading and discussion
- Engineering and problem-solving opportunities
- Opportunities for collaboration and communication
This instructional approach helps students develop both scientific knowledge and the critical thinking skills needed for college, careers, and informed citizenship.
Course Outline
The biology course is organized into coherent instructional units that build understanding of important life science concepts.
Your learner will explore topics such as:
- Cellular processes and energy transfer
- Genetics and inheritance
- Ecosystems and interactions between organisms
- Natural selection and evolution
- Matter and energy in living systems
- Stability and change within biological systems
Each unit begins with an anchoring phenomenon that sparks student curiosity and drives learning throughout the unit. Students gather evidence over time to explain the phenomenon and deepen their understanding of biological science concepts.
Unit Storylines
The Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School Biology uses a storyline approach that helps students make sense of science through curiosity, investigation, and discovery. Each unit begins with an intriguing phenomenon that inspires questions and fuels learning. As students gather evidence and build explanations, they connect ideas across lessons to deepen their understanding of biology concepts. Select a unit below to view its storyline and learn more about the learning experiences your student will engage in throughout the unit.
Materials Overview
Carolina provides a comprehensive science learning experience for every student, combining hands-on investigations, student learning resources, and digital access to create an engaging science experience that supports student success in and out of the classroom.
Hands-On Learning Materials:
Carolina kits provide students with all of the physical materials and equipment that are necessary to support them as they investigate phenomena and make sense of science through active learning.
Student Learning Resources:
Students have access to thoughtfully designed print and digital resources that support learning, encourage reflection, organize thinking, and deepen understanding as they progress through each unit.
Digital Access:
Through Carolina Science Online, students can access learning materials, engage with science content, and revisit lessons and activities wherever learning takes place.
The OpenSciEd Approach to Learning
OpenSciEd is built around extensive research on how students learn science most effectively.
Research shows that students develop stronger understanding when they:
- Investigate meaningful questions and phenomena
- Connect ideas across multiple learning experiences
- Apply knowledge to explain real-world events
- Engage in scientific discussions and argumentation
- Use evidence to support their thinking
This approach helps students move beyond memorization to develop lasting understanding and the ability to think scientifically.
Instructional Model
Unit Home Communication
Check out the home communication letters for each unit below.
Support Your Student
How can I support my student at home?
- Review the home communication letters at the start of each unit to ensure you understand the key concepts your learner will be exploring in the coming weeks.
- Have discussions with your student at home about what they are learning.
- Encourage curiosity about scientific events and discoveries.
- Discuss how biology connects to everyday life.
- Encourage students to use evidence when explaining their ideas.
Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School Biology encourages students to ask questions, explore evidence, and communicate their thinking—skills that are valuable both in and outside of science classrooms.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about the Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd Biology, check out the resources below:
Program Overview
Program Overview
Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School Biology is a full-year, phenomena-based biology curriculum aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Your student learns biology by acting as a scientist—asking questions, gathering evidence, developing explanations, and refining their understanding over time. Lessons are organized around engaging, real-world phenomena that help students see the relevance of science in their everyday lives.
The program combines:
- Hands-on investigations
- Scientific modeling
- Data analysis
- Reading and discussion
- Engineering and problem-solving opportunities
- Opportunities for collaboration and communication
This instructional approach helps students develop both scientific knowledge and the critical thinking skills needed for college, careers, and informed citizenship.
Course Outline
Course Outline
The biology course is organized into coherent instructional units that build understanding of important life science concepts.
Your learner will explore topics such as:
- Cellular processes and energy transfer
- Genetics and inheritance
- Ecosystems and interactions between organisms
- Natural selection and evolution
- Matter and energy in living systems
- Stability and change within biological systems
Each unit begins with an anchoring phenomenon that sparks student curiosity and drives learning throughout the unit. Students gather evidence over time to explain the phenomenon and deepen their understanding of biological science concepts.
Unit Storylines
Unit Storylines
The Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School Biology uses a storyline approach that helps students make sense of science through curiosity, investigation, and discovery. Each unit begins with an intriguing phenomenon that inspires questions and fuels learning. As students gather evidence and build explanations, they connect ideas across lessons to deepen their understanding of biology concepts. Select a unit below to view its storyline and learn more about the learning experiences your student will engage in throughout the unit.
Materials Overview
Materials Overview
Carolina provides a comprehensive science learning experience for every student, combining hands-on investigations, student learning resources, and digital access to create an engaging science experience that supports student success in and out of the classroom.
Hands-On Learning Materials:
Carolina kits provide students with all of the physical materials and equipment that are necessary to support them as they investigate phenomena and make sense of science through active learning.
Student Learning Resources:
Students have access to thoughtfully designed print and digital resources that support learning, encourage reflection, organize thinking, and deepen understanding as they progress through each unit.
Digital Access:
Through Carolina Science Online, students can access learning materials, engage with science content, and revisit lessons and activities wherever learning takes place.
The OpenSciEd Approach to Learning
The OpenSciEd Approach to Learning
OpenSciEd is built around extensive research on how students learn science most effectively.
Research shows that students develop stronger understanding when they:
- Investigate meaningful questions and phenomena
- Connect ideas across multiple learning experiences
- Apply knowledge to explain real-world events
- Engage in scientific discussions and argumentation
- Use evidence to support their thinking
This approach helps students move beyond memorization to develop lasting understanding and the ability to think scientifically.
Instructional Model
Instructional Model
Unit Home Communication
Unit Home Communication
Check out the home communication letters for each unit below.
Support Your Student
Support Your Student
How can I support my student at home?
- Review the home communication letters at the start of each unit to ensure you understand the key concepts your learner will be exploring in the coming weeks.
- Have discussions with your student at home about what they are learning.
- Encourage curiosity about scientific events and discoveries.
- Discuss how biology connects to everyday life.
- Encourage students to use evidence when explaining their ideas.
Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd High School Biology encourages students to ask questions, explore evidence, and communicate their thinking—skills that are valuable both in and outside of science classrooms.
Learn More
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about the Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd Biology, check out the resources below: