NC STEM Schools of Distinction - From the Desk Of:

Change is on the Horizon   Patience is Key! Many changes have been in the works both within the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and beyond. All of these efforts have been set in motion with anticipation of providing more efficient, streamlined opportunities for schools across the state.   It has been several years since the combined efforts of the Friday Institute at NC State University, the Golden Leaf Foundation, the North Carolina Science, Math, and Technology Center, and NCDPI produced the Attributes Implementation Rubric. The focus of that rubric served to identify the common traits found in all quality STEM programs. Along with identifying those attributes, the NC STEM Schools of Distinction program presented the opportunity to celebrate identified schools at the 'Prepared' or 'Model' levels of implementation with recognition before the NC State Board of Education.   In recent months, there has been a significant restructuring and reorganization within NCDPI. This has included the physical relocation of many divisions across the agency, the reassignment of many traditional roles, a variety of leadership changes, and the re-development of the online opportunities and information provided by NCDPI.   For previously recognized STEM Schools of Distinction, ready to renew their committment to engaging quality STEM instruction, a newly developed STEM Schools of Distinction Renewal process is soon to roll out. Additionally, several of the above mentioned agencies have partnered once again in the spirit of producing a revamped, more adaptable STEM rubric that can drive school improvement and support opportunities to recognize the amazing things happening in STEM Education and Leadership across our great state. As all of these changes come together, we will soon see an improved NCDPI website that will provide these new opportunities for STEM schools statewide!   Thank you for your patience awaiting these new resources. Be sure you are subscribed to the NCDPI STEM subscription to receive further news and updates on this effort.

STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, will host the 7th annual STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities on Tuesday, October 15th.  Designed for 6th-12th grade students from across NC, functioning at or around grade level, the event connects students to professionals with disabilities who have thriving careers in STEM fields. Here's a brief highlight video from last years event!

Registration online is free and more information can be found on the NC Museum of Natural Sciences event webpage. Please share this opportunity with teachers, families, and students before the summer break. 

Growing Success for English Learners Professional Learning Series Summer Kick-off!! August 6-8, 2019 Workshop: Facilitating Academic Discourse Strategies for STEM Cost: Free Registration: bit.ly/NCELs19registration Audience: These workshops are designed for ALL educators working with English learners.  Time commitment: Three Days: August 6, 7, and 8, 2019 - Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm  Sponsorships: Groups of 5 educators from a TSI School (4 content area + 1 ESL) attending a workshop in a location 36 miles away from their home address. Complete this form with the team's information: bit.ly/NCELs19TSIschools   Volunteer/Note-takers: Educators who want to participate and support during the three days of the workshop taking pictures, recording video clips, and writing key highlights for our communication channels. Sign up bit.ly/NCELs19notetakers

Introducing Cisco Global Problem Solvers Introducing Cisco’s newest education program for middle school students called Global Problem Solvers: The Series. This free animated series emphasizes teamwork, social, and creative skills in solving world challenges. With a team of teens, each with a real-world superpower, the Global Problem Solvers series educates students about STEM-based problem solving and social entrepreneurship and inspires them to find and use their own superpowers.

Registration for this year's 2019 Summer Science Institute is open.

Using the NRC’s Framework to Improve the Development of Local Curriculum

Institute Description:

During this two-day session, participants will support the improvement of local science curriculum by focusing on the three dimensions outlined in the National Research Council (NRC) publication, A Framework for K-12 Science Education.  Teachers will work collaboratively to review, adapt and improve existing science resources by incorporating the Scientific and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas.  State and national science resources will be shared.

Who is eligible?

• K-12 Science Teachers
• Science leaders working with grades K-12 who intend to use the workshop content with others in a professional development setting

COST: FREE! CEUs provided!

Participants are responsible for transportation expenses, meals and lodging, if required. Each participant will also need to bring a laptop with wireless capabilities and access to local curriculum materials (lesson plans for a unit of study).

How do I register?

Registration links are provided below for each session. Space is limited to 50 participants per session. Registration will be completed on a first come first served basis.

In preparation for the institute...

• Download a FREE pdf of A Framework for K-12 Science Education at the following link:https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13165/a-framework-for-k-12-science-education-practices-crosscutting-concepts
• A webinar series regarding The Framework can be viewed at the following link: https://sites.google.com/dpi.nc.gov/k-12science/professional-development/webinars

NC DPI K-12 Mathematics Summer Institute 2019

This session, designed for district level teams, will focus on the continued support of the K-12 Mathematics standard course of study. The session will serve as a follow-up to the implementation sessions from 2016 and 2017 for high school and K-8 mathematics, respectively. Therefore, it is highly encouraged that districts thoughtfully choose individuals who can contribute to the planning and roll-out in their LEA. Due to limited capacity, attendance will be based on a first-come, first-serve basis with special consideration given to priority districts. There will also be a virtual option for LEAs unable to send representatives.

District Sessions*

Attendees – District team of 5 including 1 K-2, 1 3-5, 1 MS, 1 HS and 1 district level leader

Charter School Sessions*

Attendees – School team of 3 including 1 K-2, 1 3-5, and 1 district level leader and/or

School team of 3 including 1 6-8, 1 9-12, and 1 district level leader for appropriate session.

Virtual Sessions – Will be recorded for those who cannot attend.

Date         Grades

July 30th     K-5

July 31st     6-12

*Registration links will be sent to Districts/LEA leaders

2019 North Carolina Mathematics Education Survey

Please take this 20 minute survey to help inform future resources available for teachers:

We know that this is a very busy time for educators, and we would not ask unless it was important. Revising and implementing standards is a collaborative process in North Carolina. Therefore, to sustain and build from the progress we have made in the K-8 and Math 1-3 implementation efforts and guide and support the implementation of revised 4th level high school courses, a survey link will be sent via email and GovDelivery.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve mathematics education in North Carolina, the 2019 North Carolina Mathematics Education Survey addresses various factors that can support or impede standards implementation, including conceptions of mathematics teaching and learning, uses of research and evidence in practice, opportunities for professional learning, and  perceptions on existing and future resources.

We invite all teachers of mathematics, instructional coaches, principals, district- and state-level leaders, and mathematics educators from universities and community colleges to take the survey. We anticipate it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and will remain open for two weeks. Results from the survey will be used to develop resources for the previously revised NC Math Standards and inform the implementation of 4th level mathematics courses.

NC DPI STEM Consultant

Howard Ginsburg

howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov

If you are currently not subscribed and would like to receive future releases of STEMtastic News, please visit the NCDPI Subscriptions webpage and register for the NCDPI STEM newsletter.