Time to Celebrate!
Congratulations to our newest STEM Schools of Distinction
NC Prepared STEM Schools of Distinction
On September 7th, six North Carolina schools were presented the prestigious STEM School of Distinction designation before the State Board of Education in Raleigh. Recognized for their outstanding leadership and teaching, each of these schools offer high-quality learning opportunities and empower keen creative thinking, reasoning, and teamwork amongst their students. These schools join a network of over 40 other schools across the state that have earned this Distinction. NC DPI extends its best wishes for continued success and achievement and encourages all schools with a STEM focus to reach out and network with these outstanding schools. You can find the complete list of NC STEM Schools of Distinction listed on the NC DPI STEM Education and Leadership website.
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Do you deserve to be the next NC STEM School of Distinction?
Intent to Apply due by Friday, October 13th. Takes only minutes to complete!
Many schools across our state facilitate quality STEM instruction; maximizing community partnerships and driving opportunities for students, developing the skills necessary for future success. 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 to Apply no later than COB Friday, October 13, 2023. Please contact Howard Ginsburg at howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov should you have further questions.
Resources for the 2023-2024 School Year
The NCDPI Test Development Section is providing resources for classroom teachers. Included are the most frequently requested supports:
- Test Specifications
- Released Tests
- Achievement Level Descriptors
- Family Guide to Assessment
- Embedded Calculator and MetaMetrics Webinars
- NCTest Updates
- Technology-Enhanced (TE) Question Practice Sets
- Accessing NC Check-Ins 2.0 Reports
- and Much More!
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Apply or Nominate Colleagues for Prestigious Shell Awards
A partnership between Shell USA, Inc. and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), this award recognizes one outstanding classroom teacher (grades K–12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school, and the community through exemplary science teaching. Special projects may be mentioned but should not be the main focus of the candidate’s application.
Apply or nominate a colleague today!
Deadline for submission is December 21, 2023
Eligibility
K–12 classroom science teachers.
Award
$10,000 and an all-expense paid trip to attend NSTA’s National Conference; two finalists will also receive all-expense-paid trips to the conference.
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Educational and Information Kids' Programming
STEM Explorers is a 30-minute television program that explores STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) topics throughout the state. The show teaches content through the hands-on experiences of middle school students who host and an educator. The educators come from schools, colleges, museums, and businesses to teach about STEM topics aligned to the middle school academic standards and show real-life applications of the topic.
Most shows incorporate a brief Career Segment in which a STEM professional is interviewed about their career. From their first interest in STEM and education background, through career opportunities, and into their favorite STEM activities.
Be sure to check these out at www.frameofminds.org
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K-5 STEM Teacher Collaborative
The STEM Teacher Collaborative is an effort to bring together K-5 STEM teachers from across the state to share resources, ideas, best practices, and fellowship!
We are still working to connect any/all STEM teachers in NC (STEM teachers defined as teachers who teach K-5 STEM as an elective/specials class so that students have STEM as a part of their electives rotation- ie, Art, Music, PE, Media, STEM).
K-5 STEM teachers of North Carolina should visit this link and sign on to become connected to this support network!
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New Science Standards Approved and Regional Trainings in the Works!
To support the implementation of the newly adopted 2023 K-12 Science standards, the Office of Academic Standards’ Science team has reached out to regional directors and RESA directors to schedule regional in-person 1 day institutes this Fall. This day will focus on building awareness of the new standards, beginning a dive into the pedagogical shifts with the inclusion of the Science and Engineering Practices, examining any shifts in content, sharing plans for new support documents and gathering feedback on future needs. Each district may send a team of up to 5 staff including a district lead and representatives from K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Please feel free to contact Dr. Charles Aiken (charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov), Section Chief for Math, Science and STEM with any questions or for details.
The K-12 Science Section will offer office hours during the 2023-24 School Year. Each session will focus on a particular topic and target a specific audience. A registration link and information about the next session is found below. Information and registration can also be found on the DPI website.
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October 12, 2023
3:30-4:30
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2023 K-12 Science Standards:
What’s new?
The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of the new 2023 K-12 Science Standards and Crosswalks.
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District leaders, principals, classroom teachers
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Registration
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2024-2025 NC Career and Technical Education Course Inventory Approved
The 2024-2025 NC CTE Course Inventory was approved by the State Board of Education at their July 6th, 2023 meeting. The Career and Technical Education Course Inventory document provides program area and course descriptions, work-based learning opportunities, career and technical student organization opportunities, and other curriculum information.
To view more specific course information, standards, credentials, and career pathways for school year 2023-2024, please visit the CTE Course Management System at https://center.ncsu.edu/nccte-cms/index.php.
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NCDPI seeks public input on K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) standards.
Participate in surveys by selecting the links below. Surveys close 5 p.m., November 10.
K-5: https://tinyurl.com/K-5ELARvw
6-12: https://tinyurl.com/6-12ELAR
General: https://tinyurl.com/K-12ELAR
2024 NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Nomination
Forms now open for submission!
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year Award celebrates the creativity and enthusiasm of beginning teachers, their mentors, school teams, and communities. The award recognizes the unique challenges and achievements that new teachers experience during their first year in the classroom. Selected from over 7,000 new teachers, the annual award recipient is chosen through a special competitive selection process, culminating in naming 27 regional and charter finalists, one winner, and one runner-up.
Data shows that nearly half of North Carolina’s new teachers leave the profession in their first five years of teaching. In recognizing excellence among new teachers and providing programs that support them from the start of their careers, NCCAT not only honors their achievements but also strengthens their connection to the profession, one another, and the resources they need to succeed. Supporting and encouraging new teachers is paramount to developing the caring, strong professionals we all want instructing our North Carolina Students.
For 35 years, NCCAT has provided support for teaching excellence and is proud to partner with North Carolina school districts and charter schools to identify and recognize the best of the beginning teacher corps from across the state.
Please complete this form by Monday, October 2nd to nominate a Beginning Teacher from your school. For information on criteria for consideration, prizes, and timeline, please visit www.nccat.org/btoy
The Global Educator Digital Badge
The NCDPI Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) provides an opportunity for educators to focus their professional development on developing their own global context and understanding of how to integrate global education throughout curricula. It also provides the opportunity to build global competency in students. The State Board of Education approved North Carolina Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) is available for the following educator categories:
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- Teacher
- Teacher Leadership Specialist
- Library Media Coordinator
- Instructional Technology Facilitator
- School Counselor
- Career Development Coordinator
- School Social Worker, School Psychologist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Instructional Central Office Staff
- Principal/Assistant Principal, Superintendent
In this short video, educators, who have earned the NCDPI Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB), shared their thoughts on the benefits of getting the badge and how it has impacted their teaching. The words of wisdom from the GEDB recipients may help you to make a decision about applying for the badge. For more information on the Badge (SBE Policy, FAQs, Process Flyer, Implementation Guide, MOA), please visit our website or email NCGlobalEducation@dpi.nc.gov.
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Participate in a collaborative, hands-on learning program, through the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
Do you have a group of students who are born scientific leaders? Do you worry about those students not being challenged? Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision is one of the best ways to engage students and teach them how to brainstorm life-changing ideas for the benefit of society. Each year, students across the US and Canada divide into teams with STEM mentors to participate in the competition. Past student ideas have included water de-salinization plants doubling as energy production plants and embedded thermal-powered medical devices. Semifinalists present their findings and prototypes at the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Conference in Washington, D.C. to esteemed leaders at Toshiba and within the scientific community. Winners go home with $10,000 savings bonds* to be used toward further educational pursuits.
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NC DPI STEM Consultant
Howard Ginsburg
howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov
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Disclaimer Statement
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.
The links on this resource could bring you to third-party websites, owned and operated by independent parties over which NCDPI has no control. Any link you make to or from these 3rd Party Websites will be at your own risk. Any use of these 3rd Party Websites and any information you provide will be subject to and governed by the terms of the 3rd Party Website, including those relating to confidentiality, data privacy, and security.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, NCDPI is not in any way associated with the owner or operator of any of the 3rd Party Websites or responsible or liable for the goods and services offered by them or for anything in connection with such 3rd Party Websites. NCDPI does not endorse and makes no warranties, representations, or undertakings relating to the content of any 3rd Party Website.
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