Welcome to the 22-23 School Year!

The Office of Academic Standards at NCDPI would like to welcome everyone to the 22-23 school year!  Many of you are already in full swing, as the rest gear up for an exciting year.  Our team looks forward to supporting and collaborating with the fabulous teachers of North Carolina.  Please feel free to reach out at any time! If you have not already, please sign-up to receive updates from the Office of Academic Standards, as well as other offices at the department.  Additionally feel free to invite new colleagues to join!

You Deserve to be the Next NC STEM School of Distinction!

Many schools across our state facilitate quality STEM instruction that maximizes community partnerships, develops the skills necessary for future success, and drives opportunities for students.

NC DPI and the NC State Board of Education want to recognize each and every school that exemplifies the qualities associated with STEM success.

The STEM School Progress Rubric serves as an incredible tool for self-assessment and school improvement and is the key to achievement for STEM schools in North Carolina.

Schools who self-assess at the Prepared or Model level of achievement, based on the Rubric, are encouraged to complete an Intent to Apply with NC DPI. This intent does not obligate the school, but instead, allows the opportunity for receiving additional information and resources toward becoming recognized as one of North Carolina's finest in STEM education.

Interested schools should complete their Intent no later than October 7, 2022.  Please contact Howard Ginsburg at howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov should you have further questions.

Science Standards Updates

NCDPI's Office of Academic Standards serves as the authoritative source for the review, revision, and support for the implementation of state content standards in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (SCOS).

By the middle of August, the Science team will have completed 9 focus groups, one for each State Board of Education region as well as one for the Charter Schools across the State. 

The K-12 Science team has selected the members for the Data Review Committee who will begin their work reviewing feedback from survey data as well as feedback from interviews and focus groups the first week of September. We are excited to have representation from across the State.

By the beginning of September, the K-12 Science team will also submit recommendations for members for the Standards Writing Team, which was chosen in a similar format to the Data Review Committee. 

For more detailed information on the process and procedures involved please review the N.C. Standard Course of Study Manual. You can also click here to review the most recent Monthly Standards Update provided to the State Board of Education. 

Cohort Two Now Open We are happy to announce that we're currently recruiting NC Districts to be a part of our 2nd cohort of LEAs to participate more deeply in the Building Engineers in K-5 Classrooms Initiative!   What's Involved? A small leadership team is facilitated in the process of creating a 2-year plan to spread high-quality STEM practice throughout their elementary classrooms.  These plans will be driven by local context and strategic plans. Eight LEAs chosen for the 2nd cohort will receive in-district professional development as well as ongoing support throughout implementation, all at no cost.    Why Participate? Integrating high-quality STEM practices in K-5 classrooms ensures students of ALL backgrounds are exposed to rapidly growing career pathways. Allowing students to invest in the engineering design process requires them to work together as flexible problem solvers and critical thinkers.   District Representatives that are interested in learning more should register for one of three upcoming virtual information sessions (all sessions are 1-2 pm EST): September 15, 2022 September 22, 2022 September 29, 2022 Register Here

STEM Teacher Videos Needed

The NSF-funded STEM Teacher Leader Network is looking to showcase unique stories that illustrate the deep impact that STEM teacher leaders have had in the classroom and beyond. We welcome applications about how you or your colleagues have made a difference as STEM teacher leaders and applications that describe how your school, district, or administrators or have successfully empowered teacher leaders. Share your idea in this short application by August 31, 2022. Selected applicants will receive a $200 stipend and coaching to turn their story into a featured 3-min video and then turn it into a short video that will be featured in a Video Showcase on STEMtlnet.org November 17-15, 2022.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in STEM Teaching Now Open

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), created by Congress in 1983, on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The awards are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of STEM, including Computer Science.  This year's (2022-2023) awards will honor science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teachers working in grades 7-12.  Recipients of the award receive the following:

• A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
• A paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
• An opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation.

Nominations close on January 9, 2023. Applications must be completed by February 6, 2023.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the North Carolina Presidential Awards Program, please contact the State Coordinators for PAESMT:

Joseph Reaper, at joseph.reaper@dpi.nc.gov

Alexis Wood at kathryn.wood@dpi.nc.gov

NASA TechRise Student Challenge 2022-23   NASA is calling on middle and high school students to join the second NASA TechRise Student Challenge. Students in sixth to 12th grades attending a U.S. public, private, or charter school –including those in U.S. territories –are challenged to team up with their schoolmates to design an experiment for a high-altitude balloon under the guidance of an educator. The challenge offers hands-on insight into the design and test process used by NASA-supported researchers. Teams should submit their experiment ideas by October 24th, 2022. Sixty winning teams will be selected and awarded $1,500 to build their experiment, an assigned spot to test it on a high-altitude balloon flight, and technical support from Future Engineers. To learn more about this exciting opportunity and get involved as a student, educator, or judge, visit NASA TechRise Student Challenge, and sign up for the Educator Event on August 27th, 2022 and a Student Virtual Field Trip in September!

Duke Energy Science Night for Elementary Schools It’s hard to believe it is that time again…back to school and planning for ways to provide STEM programming for your students.   We’re writing from the NC Science Festival/Morehead Planetarium & Science Center to let you know that our Duke Energy Science Night for Elementary Schools program is gearing up for its 12th year. This program includes a STEM kit as well as our support throughout the school year as you plan a science night for your school community.   The Duke Energy Foundation sponsorship funds 150 program kits to award at no charge to schools across NC. These are awarded using an application process that includes a review of the school’s written statement, need, demographics, and geography.   The application process will begin August 8th. Please visit our website to learn more about the program and what is included with the kit as well as more detailed instructions and timings. You will find the link to the application form there as well.   Still have questions? Feel free to email us at ncscifestschools@unc.edu   Thank you for all you do for your students - and for STEM education!

North Carolina Aquarium Scholars Grants Available – Apply Now! Would you like to provide exciting STEM programs from the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier at little to no cost to your school?   Aquarium Scholars is a partnership between the NC Aquariums, NC public schools and the NC Aquarium Society, through which private donors help fund access to Aquarium education programs for Title I eligible schools across the state.   Teachers from Title I eligible schools can apply to receive a grant for a: Class visit/field trip of your choice of the three NC Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier Aquarium outreach program brought to your school Virtual outreach program (live online program with Aquarium staff and animals) The Application Period runs only until Sept. 30, so don’t delay, APPLY TODAY!   For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.ncaquariums.com/aquarium-scholars

Professional Development Opportunities with NCCAT   The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching  (www.nccat.org) (NCCAT) provides professional development to NC  educators in residential, online, virtual, school, and regional settings. Our professional learning is designed to help you gain knowledge and skills to support student learning. Make plans today to join us for timely, research-based professional development!   Click this link to apply now for NCCAT Programs.

Free Resources

• NEW- Matrix of Engineering Design Activities:

    HUGE thanks to all the teachers that came to the Building Engineers summer workshops in order to create new activities to be shared with all NC teachers.  This matrix houses these activities as well as all the past activities available on Go Open NC.  These standards-aligned activity links are ready to be copied/pasted into curriculum docs, pacing guides, or PLC notes.

• Smithsonian Science Education Center Resources

  The Smithsonian Science Education Center has free curriculum resources for science teachers.  Feel free to browse their collection and tailor these resources to align with your classroom science instruction.

• ITEEA has great free STEM resources for students and teachers!

             Go to Free ITEEA Resources

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. You will first be prompted to enter your email to create an account. Once your account is created, return to the NCDPI Subscriptions webpage to choose your interests.

Disclaimer: This document contains information about and from public and private entities and organizations for the reader’s information. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction of any entity or organization or the products or services offered, or views expressed. This publication also contains hyperlinks and URLs created and maintained by outside organizations. They are provided for the reader’s convenience; however, the Department is not responsible for the accuracy of this information.

Because North Carolina is a local-control state, all curricular decisions are approved at the local level. Prior to implementing any of the materials, teachers should follow appropriate policies and procedures to have content vetted and approved by their school and district leaders.