Henniker board adopts Carolina OpenSciEd for grades 6–8, estimates $22,000 first-year cost

The Henniker School Board voted to adopt the Carolina edition of OpenSciEd as the district's core science instructional materials for grades 6–8, saying the program’s phenomenon-based, hands-on labs produced stronger student engagement in pilot lessons.

"My students came back and they told me, 'This was so much more fun. I was more engaged,'" said Phil Matzke, instructional coach, describing the shift from lecture-and-notes to inquiry-driven lessons. Sixth-grade teacher Amanda Daphdoli, who piloted units, told the board the curriculum emphasized student reflection and hands-on investigations: "They built their own insulated cups and some of them outlasted their Stanley's."

The district estimated the total first-year purchase, including digital licenses, course kits, student investigation notebooks and initial lab supplies, at roughly $22,000 including shipping; ongoing annual costs were projected to fall to about $9,500 in year two, according to staff figures presented to the board. The board said it has budgeted $16,000 for next year and that Title II professional-development funds would likely cover introductory teacher training days.

Board members and presenters said the Carolina package allows phased purchases—districts can buy units incrementally rather than all at once—and that teacher feedback favored Carolina’s emphasis on hands-on, phenomenon-driven lessons over other vendors the committee reviewed. "We tested out lessons from all the top four and had representatives from each do demonstrations via Zoom," Matzke said.

The board approved the adoption by voice vote. Staff were directed to finalize ordering details, plan storage logistics and confirm a professional-development schedule, including potential Title II funding for training.