Have you utilized the STEM Schools Progress Rubric?

Research-based Quality STEM Instruction The STEM Schools Progress Rubric is a strategic planning document that is valuable for any school or program within a school that wants to improve STEM teaching and learning.   To get the most out of the STEM rubric, consider the following: Maximize the Rubric. The rubric is an instrument to be used by the whole school rather than an individual. It requires the input and perspective of various stakeholders within the school as well as outside such as parents, business partners, and community members. Identify your current level of performance. For each Key Element, use the Quality Indicators as benchmarks for coordinating areas upon which to focus within your School Improvement Plan. Be patient. There are many attributes associated with quality STEM instructional design. Finding what is right for your school and community will take time. Involve all stakeholders,  within and outside of your school. Be sure to keep record of what works well with your student population. Develop your culture of learning using STEM. Student achievement through inquiry is highly rewarding and often leads to expanded student interests and deeper understanding of content. Nourish extracurricular opportunities that may arise and encourage academic exploration across content areas within your school. Obtain your copy of the STEM Schools Progress Rubric by visiting the NC DPI STEM webpage.

Truly a FIRST North Carolina  - Leading in Excellence For the first time, two North Carolina teachers were honored and recognized as 2023 Inspire the Future FIRST Educators. Congratulations to Kelli Crews in Harnett County and Stanley Harrell of Warren County Schools for modeling what teachers can do to inspire and engage students through STEM!   For more information and details of this honor, visit the FIRST community webpage.

Code Your Future We believe young people deserve the opportunity to engage in coding and app creation while receiving guidance from STEM professionals.   The Congressional App Challenge is the most prestigious prize in student computer science. Participation in the challenge has grown exponentially and has reached underserved, diverse, and rural student populations. The event allows students to work collaboratively with their peers to achieve success and showcase their creativity. Students who participate not only learn about coding but also gain crucial problem-solving and teamwork skills.   We encourage you to talk with your leadership team and consider this opportunity for your middle and high school students.   For more information, please visit the following link: https://congressionalappchallenge.us

Please see the following announcement on behalf of the Charlotte Hornets who are seeking input from educators in the design of their STEM Day 2023-2024. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Daniel Loskowitz (dloskowitz@hornets.com) with the Charlotte Hornets organization. 

Charlotte Hornets STEM Day 2023-2024

The Charlotte Hornets will be hosting a STEM Day again at the Spectrum Center. We would like your input on the future of our event. Please feel free to fill out our form and let us know your thoughts! We look forward to having your school/ class at our event! Target audience for the event: 2^nd-8^th grade. https://forms.gle/aAkWiByYEogn9pKs9

North Carolina 8th Grade Science Teachers!

You are Invited to do Real Science with Real Fossils!
Registration Now Open for 2023 to 2024!

From the comfort of their classrooms, students will sort through 66-million-year-old sediment from Montana to discover and identify microfossils (small bones, teeth, scales, and shells) that no one has seen before (not even scientists)! Eligible classrooms receive:

K-12 Science Standards Revision Updates

Draft 3 of the newly proposed K-12 Science Standards was presented to the State Board of Education on May 31, 2023.  See the presentation that was presented to the SBE on May 31, 2023 for more information.

May 31, 2023 SBE Presentation

Stay tuned for updates through the K-12 Science listservs.

NC DPI STEM Consultant

Howard Ginsburg

howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov

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