‘Coding in Minecraft’ is a computer science credential program with supporting curriculum for Grades 6-8aligned to the NC Computer Science Standards and delivered through Minecraft: Education Edition.
And it is FREE for all North Carolina middle school teachers.
‘Coding in Minecraft’ in the STEM classroom will:
•Create engaging, enrichment activities.
•Allow students to experience real-world examples of how STEM is used in Computer Science.
•Allow for student-led, fast finisher activities that keep all students engaged.
•Develop important skills such as problem solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
‘Coding in Minecraft’ is an easy to teach solution enabling educators with little or no computer science or coding experience to deliver an up-to-date computer science curriculum. The comprehensive solution includes curriculum, Minecraft Worlds, assessments, micro-credentials, capstone exam and educator resources.
The curriculum is student-led! As students can learn at their own pace, submit their evidence to an online portal for educators to assess and use Minecraft: Education Edition at their own pace.
Literacy Instruction Standards (LIS) Learning Series
Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, there will be a series of professional learning involving multiple content areas. The LIS are to be used by all teachers in every content area for core instruction. This
series will focus on integrating the Literacy Instruction Standards (LIS) into standards-aligned content area instruction. These sessions are open to K-12 educators.
Literacy in Science: December 15, 2022
Literacy in Math: January 25, 2023
Literacy in Social Studies: April 27, 2023
Literacy in ELD: May 11, 2023
Bonus LIS Learning Series Sessions Added!
LIS for PK-5: February 7, 2023
Integrating LIS: Content Area Literacy: February 14, 2023
Writing Strategies for K-5: February 21, 2023
Improving Reading for Secondary Students: February 28, 2023
During this planning institute, schools will review the attributes of the Rubric, consider what each attribute means in the context of their individual school, assess the school’s readiness, draft a strategic plan and develop next steps for school improvement or to apply for the NC Global-Ready Schools designation.
The institute will include whole group discussion to learn from best practices across the state and individual school team planning.
Who should attend: School teams of three to five (including a required administrator). Schools which currently have a Global focus or have previously applied for the NC Global-Ready Schools designation but did not receive it will benefit the most from this institute.
Nominate a 7-12th Grade STEM Teacher Today at www.PAEMST.org
Art x Climate: A Project of the Fifth National Climate Assessment
The U.S. Global Change Research Program, in collaboration with Smithsonian Institution, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, invites artists to engage in the development of the Fifth National Climate Assessment by creatively visualizing climate change in the United States: its causes, impacts, and manifestations; our shared vulnerabilities; and the strength of our collective response.
Art x Climate seeks to strengthen partnerships between science and art and demonstrate the power of art to advance the national conversation around climate change. Selected art submissions will be featured in the Fifth National Climate Assessment as chapter covers and within the chapters. Selected artworks may also be used in case studies, in public events, or in communication materials.
There are two calls, one for artists ages 13–17 and one for artists 18 and up. Artists who wish to submit their works must do so by 11:59 PM ET on January 27, 2023. More information, including rules and judging criteria, can be found at the CaFÉ portals below.
The National Climate Assessment is the preeminent source of climate information for the United States and is led by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The report covers topics such as water, ecosystems, oceans, agriculture, Indigenous Peoples, cities, transportation, health, and many others. It covers the entire geography of the US, including all 50 states, the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
2023 Draft 1 Proposed K-12 Science Standards All Stakeholder Survey
The NC State Board of Education Standard Course of Study Manual specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) will formally collect feedback from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, national organizations, and other education agencies on each draft of the revised K-12 Science Standards.
This process began with a review phase, conducted through the Spring, Summer, and early Fall of 2022. The review phase included gathering relevant research and analyzing data obtained through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The data obtained was analyzed by the NCDPI Office of Learning Recovery and provided to the K-12 Science Standards Data Review Committee (DRC) for further review. The DRC completed a formal report summarizing the data, trends within the feedback, and any resulting recommendations. The report was provided to the Standards Writing Team (SWT) as the basis to start the revision process.
This first draft of the proposed 2023 K-12 Science Standards is based on the analysis in the DRC Report which identified several themes received during the review phase:
In both the Public School Unit (PSU) and All Stakeholder Surveys, approximately 70% of the responses indicated a preference to keep the current 2009 standards.
An analysis of the qualitative findings from focus groups and interviews indicated a desire to clarify the language in the standards/objectives and to embed the Scientific and Engineering Practices to support real world applications.
Feedback demonstrated a need to align the strands (the categories under which the standards and objectives are organized) to current research and frameworks related to K-12 Science Education, specifically those strands within A Framework for K-12 Science Education (e.g., Matter and its Interactions, From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes, Earth’s Place in the Universe).
The report also indicated the need to focus on the vertical alignment of the standards.
The purpose of this survey is to obtain input regarding the proposed K-12 Science Standards and to inform any additional revisions, which may include changes, clarifications, additions, deletions, or replacements to the draft standards. Your feedback is extremely valuable to the K-12 Science Standards revision process.
To participate please click on the link at the bottom of this page.
✓ First draft of proposed K-12 Science Standards completed
✓ PSU and All Stakeholder surveys released
Next Steps:
● Office of Learning Recovery (OLR) will analyze survey data results from surveys
● Data Review Committee (DRC) will review analysis provided by OLR and complete a report with recommendations for possible improvements to the draft K-12 Science Standards
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