Professional Development Opportunities
2023-2024 K-12 Science Office Hours
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 each session is found in the table below. Information and registration can also be found on the NCDPI K-12 Science Section Professional Development Google Doc.
Date and Time
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Title/Topic
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Audience
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Registration
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September 14, 2023
3:30-4:30
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STEM/PAEMST Recognitions
The purpose of this session is to raise awareness regarding the NC STEM Schools Progress Rubric and the STEM Schools of Distinction Recognition Program as well as the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
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District leaders, principals, administrators, and classroom teachers
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Link to Recording and Presentation
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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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November 16, 2023
3:30-4:30
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Science and Engineering Practices
This session will provide an overview of the Science and Engineering Practices, including what they are and how they are used in the new standards.
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District leaders, principals, and classroom teachers
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Link to Recording and Presentation
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December 7, 2023
3:30-4:30
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Science Modeling
This session offers an example of how the Science and Engineering Practices can be incorporated into daily classroom instruction.
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District leaders, principals, and classroom teachers
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Link to Recording and Presentation
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February 15, 2024
3:30-4:30
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Nonformal and Formal Educator’s Partnerships
The session will focus on how the nonformal educators and formal educators form partnerships to promote student learning.
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District leaders, principals, and classroom teachers, nonformal educators
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Registration
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March 7, 2024
3:30-4:30
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Testing and Accountability
This session will include the NCDPI Test Measurement Specialists and will provide an overview of science testing in grades five, eight and Biology.
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Science curriculum specialists, teachers, and administrators
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Registration
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April 11, 2024
3:30-4:30
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Preparing for K-12 Science Standards Implementation
NCDPI Science Consultants will offer strategies and ideas for preparing for the 2023 K-12 Science Standards Implementation.
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District leaders, principals, and teachers
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Registration
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DEQ Environmental Educators Workshop
DEQ Environmental Educators Workshop
Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024 9 AM to 4 PM
FULL - WAITLIST AVAILABLE
To add your name to the waitlist, please scan the provided QR code or follow the link below.
This workshop will highlight the education programs of several of the Department of Environment Quality Divisions. These Division experts will guide participants through free content, educational resources, and ideas on how to teach about a variety of environmental topics to a variety of audiences. This workshop is ideal for educators interested in expanding outreach and education programs.
Participants will learn fun activities to use at festivals, school visits, and classroom activities for K-12 teachers that participate! All activities covered can be used to meet K-12 classroom education standards. Participants will be provided with a detailed workshop agenda that can be used to obtain continuing education credit or NCEE credit where applicable.
This workshop is FREE, but participants must register. To do so, scan the flyers QR code, for follow the link: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/wakeparks/activity/search/detail/6635?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true&locale=en-US
NC Climate Education Network
February 29, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Zoom
The NC Climate Education Network will hold a virtual “Open House” for educators to learn and ask questions about the latest research surrounding NC’s aquaculture and how NC’s aquaculture industry is preparing for the changing climate. No prior knowledge necessary! This online event is open to anyone for free! Go ahead and save the date- we’ll send out more details next year.
Click here to register.
Environmental Education Workshops at the Eastern 4-H Center
We are planning 5 days of workshops dedicated to the enhancement of programs and activities for formal and non-formal educators. Each day will provide you with program guides, activity books, and/or new methods for your classroom.
Registration Costs Individual workshops: Individual costs are listed below; some workshops are FREE! Lunch: $12/person will be added to every registration. Includes garden salad, lunch entree with side selections, beverage, and dessert.
Lodging (optional): $85 per room/night Single occupancy or $125 per night/room Double Occupancy registration form link is https://go.ncsu.edu/2024eeworkshopseastern4h. Participants should come prepared to be outside. We plan to hold workshops rain or shine, so please bring appropriate attire. Workshops will generally be from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily, with an hour-long lunch break from 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm; buffet-style lunch on site.
All program plans and activities are set to the current North Carolina Standard Course of Study and Essential Standards. Lodging will be available throughout the week and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
These offerings have been accepted as CEU credits in the past, and facilitators can provide documentation for teachers to apply with their districts.
Workshops include NCEE Certification Criteria I offerings, including Project WET, Aquatic WILD, Sea Turtle Exploration and Project OWL.
Registration Costs Individual workshops: Individual costs are listed in the flyer below; some workshops are FREE! Lunch: $12/person will be added to every registration. Includes garden salad, lunch entree with side selections, beverage, and dessert. Lodging (optional): $85 per room/night Single occupancy or $125 per night/room Double Occupancy
See Flyer for More Information
Future City Competition Call for Middle School Judges
The Future City organization will pay your travel expenses, including hotel, if you are traveling more than 100 miles.
PAEMST Nomination Deadline Approaching
Educator STEM Day
Calling All STEM Reviewers!!
Your Support is Greatly Appreciated
The 2023-2024 North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction Recognition Program is underway. With nearly 40 schools across the state having communicated their Intent to be recognized as a leading STEM program in North Carolina, we are asking those STEM educational leaders, who have familiarity with the STEM Schools of Distinction process, to assist with the Review of this year's applications.
Individuals presently leading within a NC recognized STEM school, or any individuals who have served as past SSoD reviewers, are asked to provide updated contact information by completing this Reviewer Application by the EXTENSION Date of January 12, 2024.
There will be a required Reviewer training. More information on this training will be available soon. This year's applications will be shared the week following the February 2nd deadline and reviewers will have two weeks to complete their review and share feedback. The number of reviewers assigned will be dependent upon the number of submitted applications.
Thank you for continuing to drive quality STEM education in North Carolina!
Student Opportunities
It’s that time of year again! It’s time to start talking about the AQ-IQ contest with your 7th grade students.
Who: The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality invites ALL NC 7TH GRADE STUDENTS to participate in the 2023-2024 AQ-IQ Contest!
What is the AQ-IQ Contest:
The annual North Carolina AQ-IQ Contest for seventh grade combines S.T.E.A.M. education and project-based learning with student creativity to teach air pollution science to students across the state. The contest gives these students an opportunity to learn about air quality and think about solutions to air pollution. It puts students in charge of creating a project to educate others about an air quality problem. In the past, projects have been posters, videos, Minecraft creations, games, and artistic projects off all sorts.
Each year the AQ-IQ contest gives out special awards for projects that meet one of the following categories:
- Wildfires and Planned Burns
- Electrify Everything
- The Air Quality Forecast
Note: Depending on the number of statewide entries, a larger statewide AQ-IQ award ceremony may be held in June or July. Location and specific date to be announced. In general, entries will compete against other entries from their regions. However, the best regional projects may then be evaluated in the statewide AQ-IQ Contest for a statewide award.
Examples of past project winners can be found on the NC Air Awareness YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/user/NCAirAwareness/videos
When:
Now until midnight on March 11, 2024, students can create and submit their projects through this form .
Why:
The AQ-IQ contest allows students to explore their interests and strengths while engaging with the material and learning about air quality. Students are asked to think creatively while designing their projects. Watch our video to hear from teachers about why the AQ-IQ contest works in their classrooms: https://youtu.be/ArtLhL1z1hY
How:
Students need to follow the step-by-step Student Worksheet guide to develop an AQ-IQ project. Once completed, students submit their projects using the online form linked above. We ask students to include both their teacher’s and parent’s emails, as well as their project’s bibliography, when submitting.
For more information on the AQ-IQ contest, you can also visit the NC Environmental Education webpage.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Keith Bamberger at keith.bamberger@deq.nc.gov, or Janina Millis at janina.millis@deq.nc.gov.
Future City Competition
North Carolina Museum of Art Virtual Field Trips
The North Carolina Museum Art offers to all classrooms and all grade levels. Our Virtual Field Trips are FREE, standards-based, art-integrated, interactive experiences with a museum educator. In these 30-45 minute sessions students actively engage in discussion and develop visual literacy skills through closely looking at, describing, and connecting with 2-3 works of art.
Check out our updated Virtual Field Trip page to learn more about new tours and favorites offered this year as well as new pre and post visit resources.
Below are some quick links to share with your teachers.
NCMA Virtual Field trip Info page: https://learn.ncartmuseum.org/vft/
Sign-up calendar: https://ncmavft.youcanbook.me/
Art-integrated topics:
Art Scientists (grades K-8)
- Weather or Forces & Motion
Art Mathematicians (grades K-6)
Art Around the World (grades 3-8)
The Stories Art Can Tell (grades K-12)
- featuring artists from groups historically excluded from museums
Our State: NC Art & Artists (grades 4-8)
Choose Your Own Adventure: Collaborative Narrative Writing (grades K- 8)
Artistic Media and Processes, a Virtual Field Trip (grades 6-12)
Virtual Field Trips for Students with Disabilities
Bilingual programs available - Spanish Language VFT programs
February Character Challenge: #KindnessMattersNC
Embrace the spirit of kindness throughout February with our #KindnessMattersNC Challenge! Inspired by the heartwarming stories shared by Steve Hartman, this month-long initiative encourages teachers, leaders, students, and families to engage in daily acts of kindness. Whether integrated into morning meetings and content area classes, each day presents an opportunity for reflection, writing, and fostering a culture of compassion.
📝 Access daily videos and journal prompts to guide your reflections.
🗓️ Mark your calendars! Random Act of Kindness Day is celebrated on February 17 every year. We're extending the celebration throughout the month, making February dedicated to spreading kindness.
📸 Share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #KindnessMattersNC! Teachers and leaders are encouraged to spread positivity by showing how kindness has impacted the school or encouraging students to create their own kindness videos—just like Steve Hartman! Educators can submit evidence of school initiatives or student work to NCDPI using the link provided. Your submissions may be featured on our NCDPI social media, newsletters, and website. Also, be sure to share your experiences on your social media using the hashtag #KindnessMattersNC!
Let's celebrate February with kindness, compassion, and uplifting stories. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that extends far beyond our classrooms. #KindnessMattersNC
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NC DPI Science Consultants
Dr. Debra Hall
K-5 Science
debra.hall@dpi.nc.gov
Gavin Fradel
6-8 Science
gavin.fradel@dpi.nc.gov
Benita Tipton
9-12 Science
benita.tipton@dpi.nc.gov
Alexis Wood
9-12 Science
kathryn.wood@dpi.nc.gov
Additional Contacts:
Dr. Charles Aiken
Section Chief K-12 Mathematics, Science and STEM
charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov
Howard Ginsburg
K-12 STEM Consultant
howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov
Disclaimer Statement: The links on this page will 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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