Making OpenSciEd Easier and More Impactful
Middle & High School
If you’ve discovered the power of OpenSciEd’s free, research-based science curriculum, you already know it transforms how students learn. What’s not so easy? Gathering every last piece of material needed for each unit. That’s where Ward’s Science comes in, streamlining the process so teaching science doesn’t feel like a scavenger hunt.
As the largest certified Open Educational Resource (OER) provider, we offer OpenSciEd-aligned kits for every middle and high school unit, assembled, labeled, and ready to teach. Each kit supports 28–36 students, depending on the grade level, and includes a detailed packing list that shows what’s inside and what else you’ll need (often common classroom items). Plus, with easy-order refills, à la carte deluxe upgrades, and direct shipping, you’ll never waste time hunting down supplies again.
OpenSciEd is powerful. Our goal is to help make it easier to use and more impactful for your students. Check out these High School kit examples to see how:
More Hands-On Learning for Every Student
Some OpenSciEd lessons were originally written as teacher demonstrations. But with Ward’s Science kits, your students don’t just watch science happen, they do it.
C.3 Lesson 5 - “How can we tell what is in the atmosphere (and just below the surface) of objects in space?” The OpenSciEd version has the teacher demonstrate the spectroscopy activity while students observe. Our version includes enough materials for every group to perform the activity themselves. The result? More hands-on investigation and deeper learning for every student.
And that’s not just for one lesson. Each of our kits supports up to eight groups, ensuring everyone gets to engage directly with the materials.
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Built-In Time-Savers (Because Your Time Matters)
We know your prep time is limited. That’s why Ward’s kits include clever time-saving hacks, some totally free, that make setup and instruction easier.
P.1 + P.5 Lessons - These lessons involve winding generators, typically by hand, wrapping wire around a tube 400–800 times per generator! Here’s our totally FREE hack to make your life easier: use a simple hand drill to wind the coils neatly and quickly. You’ll save valuable time and still get great results.
C.5 Lessons 5–7 - OpenSciEd’s version asks teachers to rebuild “stronger magnet marbles” by disassembling and re-gluing magnets inside marbles. Our alternate, OSE-approved setup simplifies this entirely: a neodymium magnet is glued directly to the ruler with a magnetic marble attached, and a ceramic magnet with a different-colored marble represents the weaker version. You get the same instructional outcome, without the tedious prep work.
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More Realistic Results = Stronger Student Connections
When students see authentic results, science clicks. Ward’s Science kits use high-quality, realistic materials to help students truly see the science in action.
B.2 Lesson 2 – “What is peat and why does it burn so much?” Many kits use substitutes, but we use real peat, sourced from Ireland, for accurate, observable results that help students connect the concept to real-world phenomena.
C.4 Lesson 10 – “How does ocean acidification hurt oysters?” Instead of marble chips, our kits use Coquina, a sedimentary rock made of real shell fragments that students can see with a hand lens. The increased surface area produces more dramatic, effervescent reactions that make the effect of acidification unmistakably clear.
Real Science Tools. Ready to Use.
We also ensure your students work with authentic lab tools, so they feel like real scientists while you save on prep time.
C.5 Lesson 9 – “Where is the energy coming from (and what are some trade-offs) when we use batteries to power vehicles?” Instead of building ammeters, each group gets a multimeter, giving students reliable, immediate readings and you less setup hassle.
C.2 Lesson 2 – “What parts of the (smaller-scale) system might be causing the (smaller-scale) lighting?
Rather than constructing galvanometers from scratch, your kit comes with ready-to-use electroscopes, so you can get straight to experimentation.
Each time a substitution or enhancement is made, clear instructions are included, so you can confidently follow along with the original OpenSciEd framework.
OpenSciEd aims to make science learning accessible, collaborative, and engaging. Ward’s Science shares that goal and makes it easier— because teaching science shouldn’t be a scavenger hunt.
Ward’s Science OpenSciEd Kits Are Top Rated
Our kits were selected as a WeAreTeachers Teacher Pick. This recognition reinforces the impact our kits have in real classrooms.
Your One-Stop Hub for OpenSciEd Classroom Support
Looking for an easy way to stay up to date on our newest resources for the OpenSciEd curriculum? Explore all of our middle and high school kits with one click. Each kit is thoughtfully organized to save you time and help you deliver engaging, hands-on, and impactful lessons. And great news—Elementary kits are on the way soon!
Have questions? Connect with a Ward's Science Rep.
