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.

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Science Field Testing in Spring 2024 

In July 2023, the North Carolina State Board of Education adopted the 2023 K-12 Science Standards. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is embedding field test items aligned to the newly adopted content standards for grades 5 and 8 and biology in the spring 2024 test forms. Assessments aligned to these content standards will be implemented in the 2024-25 school year.  

To support this development, some field test items will be included in a new science item set. Like a reading selection with questions, students will read a scientific text and respond to questions. This item set is at the end of the test form.  

To familiarize students with the science item set, a practice set is available in the tutorial item section of NCTest (app, secure browser, or https://data.ncsu.edu/nctest/Destination.html).

Applications are being accepted for the summer NIEHS STaRS Experience

Middle and high school science teachers and community college instructors are encouraged to apply for the 2024 NIEHS Science, Teachers, and Research Summer (STaRS) Experience. STaRS 2024 is a two-week professional development program, designed and conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).The goals of the program are:

• To enhance participants’ understanding of basic research in the environmental and biomedical sciences and its applications in biotechnology; and

• To enable participants to transfer knowledge received from this program into classroom applications and to better support their students, including those from underserved populations.

The program will be held at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park from Monday, July 8, to Friday, July 19 (excluding Saturday and Sunday), from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. STaRS participants receive a $2,000 stipend to offset costs associated with lodging, meals, transportation and time spent during the program.

Requirements:

• Applicants must currently teach science in a middle school, high school or community college;

• Applicants must be available for the full two-week program (July 8-19, 2024 - excluding Saturday and Sunday); and

• Applicants must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel to Research Triangle Park (which may include overnight stays at a hotel in Research Triangle Park on Sunday through Thursday each week).

Women and individuals of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Apply Now →

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Seeking NC STEM teachers to co-develop innovative data-based lessons featuring PFAS: From contamination to clean-up

Join a design team of STEM educators and environmental scientists/biomedical researchers to co-create lessons that feature real-world PFAS data from NC communities.

PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals that pollute NC’s water and air and impact human health. Teams will use the design-thinking process to develop lessons that incorporate science and engineering practices, inclusive teaching strategies, and real data to showcase the interdisciplinary nature of research taking place to address PFAS contamination in NC.  

Grades 9-12 STEM teachers are invited to apply for the Iterative Design to Engage All (IDEA) Learners Design Team, a two-year teacher professional development program that includes co-creation and piloting of lessons.* This opportunity is especially relevant to earth/environmental science and chemistry teachers. We encourage applications from those who teach in communities impacted by PFAS contamination as well as economically disadvantaged communities. 

Click here to learn more and to access the online application. 

This program is led by Dr. Kathleen Gray and Dana Haine in the UNC Institute for the Environment’s Center for Public Engagement with Science with support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences through a Science Education Partnership Award (Award Number R25GM142060-01). The UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility also supports this program. 

*This program is part of a research study led by Dr. Kathleen Gray. The study was approved by the UNC Institutional Review Board (IRB) on October 8, 2021 (Study #21-1627). To learn more about this specific study visit: https://ie.unc.edu/idea-learners/. For general questions about the research process or about being a research subject, contact the UNC IRB at 919-966-3113 or irb_subjects@unc.edu. 

For additional information, please contact Lynn Chesnut at  lchesnut@unc.edu or 919-423-5600.

“I Tried Local…” A Toolkit for Engaging Kids with Local Food and Farms

This is an immersive curriculum designed around 10 crops grown in North Carolina! The curriculum is designed for use in early care and education (ECE) through second grade, and is divided into 10 units based on crops growing locally in North Carolina. In each unit you will find:

• An overview of the crop, including geographic and cultural origins, nutrition facts, and growing tips.
• A lesson plan that aligns with educational standards.
• A video from our Meet Your Farmer video series showcasing a North Carolina farmer growing the crop.
• Children’s books with discussion prompts.
• A fun coloring page.
• A recipe featuring local produce that can be made in the classroom or shared with families.

Growing Minds will offer virtual training sessions to support educators and others interested in using the toolkit. These sessions will provide an overview of the curriculum components and the opportunity to hear success stories from farm to school champions across the state. The first will be held Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Register HERE. If you attend one of the trainings and are an educator in North Carolina, we will send you a hard copy of the Toolkit for FREE, so make sure to note your school’s address in the registration form.

See the Flyer for More Information

Teaching Positions Open for the 2024 Session of NC Governor’s School!

Are you looking for a unique opportunity for this summer?

Teaching Positions open for the 2024 session of NC Governor’s School!

Come and work with talented and intellectually engaged high school students in a thriving learning community this summer – without grades! 

NCDPI is specifically seeking creative, engaging science and math teachers. This is an opportunity to play a role in shaping a life-changing summer for these amazing students. More information can be found on the employment page of our Governor’s School Website. Teachers are needed for both Governor’s School campuses, hosted by Greensboro College and Meredith College. GS is also currently seeking instructors for English, Spanish, Area II/Philosophy, and Instrumental Music classes.

Governor’s School will take place June 23-July 20, with faculty arriving on June 17 to begin orientation. We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews in the coming weeks. If you have questions regarding any openings, reach out to us at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!

ELD Standards and Academic Language Webinar Resources

The ML/Title II Team recently hosted the “Standards-Based Academic Language Development for Multilingual Learners (ML)” webinar.  This can be a valuable resource to math, science, and STEM educators.

The “Standards-Based Academic Language Development for Multilingual Learners (ML)” webinar begins with an overview of best practices, data and the ELD standards. It then moves into content specific examples and strategies for working with academic language and MLs in ELA, math and science, specifically:

Math: Slides 35-44, Recording time stamp 50:15

Science: Slides 45-53. Recording time stamp 1:18:25 – 1:26:10

Student Opportunities

Future Engineers

*February 9, 2024 Deadline*

For the Power to Explore Challenge, NASA is calling on K-12 students in the United States to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), a type of nuclear “battery” used in space exploration, and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to a destination with limited or obstructed access to light. Grand prize winners from each grade category (3 total) will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center to learn about the people and technologies that enable NASA missions. Every student who submits an entry will receive a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event with NASA experts where they’ll learn about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and explore.

https://www.futureengineers.org/powertoexplore

Fermilab Saturday Morning Physics Program for High School students - Free!

Fermilab is once again hosting its popular Saturday Morning Physics program for high school students. The free program, consisting of lectures, tours, and panel presentations, will run on 11 Saturdays from January 27-April 13, 2024 (no class on March 30), and will provide participants with an introduction to the science being done at Fermilab. Each week builds on previous weeks; students completing the program will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment.   

For more information and a student registration link (registration is required), visit https://saturdaymorningphysics.fnal.gov. Introduced to Fermilab in 1980 by then-director Leon M. Lederman, the Saturday Morning Physics program has brought expanded physics topics to thousands of local high school students through a dedicated team of physicist educators.

THE NANO Innovation Student Challenge: Using Tiny Science To Solve Wicked Problems

Enter our annual Nano Innovation Challenge - where students create a nano solution for one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., Clean water, Affordable energy). Students can win prizes for their presentations. It is a fun and easy competition that can be done with in-person or remote learning. More information is below! 

THE NANO INNOVATION STUDENT CHALLENGE: USING TINY SCIENCE TO SOLVE WICKED PROBLEMS

 Middle and High School Teachers- Sign up your students for this exciting competition. Registration is open until February 16th, 2024.

WHAT DO STUDENTS DO?

Learn about nanoscale science and apply that knowledge to help address one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, then create a 3-minute video featuring your ideas.

Submissions Due: April 5, 2024

Teachers must register their school by February 16, 2024. After registering your class, you will receive additional information. Registration is limited to 25 North Carolina Schools.

PRIZES: Teams will win prizes that include Amazon gift cards: 1st place $100; 2nd place $50; 3rd place $25. The 1st place winners also will have an hour of scanning electron microscope time to conduct a class investigation. Teachers of winning state-level teams will receive a $50 gift card.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

Who Can Participate? Middle and High School student teams of up to 5 students

Grab your lab coat and goggles and help scientists address the UN Sustainable Development Goals using nanotechnology. Your idea might be the next excellent solution to providing people across the globe with clean water, better medicines, or making solar energy more economical.

The Task: Create a 3-minute multimedia presentation in the format of a video to pitch your idea for using nanotechnology to address one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Presentations will be judged on these criteria: 1) Application of scientific content, 2) Creativity/Innovation, and 3) Presentation quality.

Judging: There are two levels of judging: 1) Each school will judge the projects and select one winning team to go forth to the state level. 2) At the state level competition, scientists and science educators from the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network will judge the Nano Innovation presentations and will select the winning teams. Note: The state competition is limited to the first 25 schools to register.

Sponsored by The Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, and the College of Education at NCSU.

Please reach out with any questions,

Gail Jones, Distinguished Professor, NCSU

Kat Bordewieck, NanoDays Coordinator, NCSU

North Carolina State University 

Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

Reach for the Stars! Be a Star! STEM and Resource Fair for K-12 Students with Disabilities Interested in STEM Careers

Can you help us build a Diverse, Inclusive and Innovative STEM Workforce?  We are inviting your students to join us! 

         Date: April 6, 2024, Time: 10AM-2 PM Location: McKimmon Center,  NC State University

Info about the STEM Fair last year (our first event):

We are excited to share the incredible success of the recent "Reach for the Stars! Be a Star!" Resource Fair held at Mckimmon Center, NC State University on April 22, 2023. This groundbreaking event aimed to bridge the gap between students with disabilities and their future in the thriving world of STEM.

The purpose of this fair was to provide a platform for students with disabilities to explore their skills, abilities, and knowledge needed for successful careers in STEM. By engaging with STEM professionals and participating in hands-on experiences, students gained invaluable exposure to a wide range of exciting opportunities within the field.

One of the highlights of the event was our lineup of inspiring speakers who shared their personal journeys as STEM professionals with disabilities. Their stories served as a powerful reminder that obstacles can be overcome and dreams can be achieved, regardless of any challenges one may face.

The fair was buzzing with interactive exhibits and engaging activities designed to ignite curiosity and passion among attendees. From robotics demonstrations to virtual reality simulations, students were able to experience firsthand the endless possibilities that await them in STEM.

Notable Attendees: Governor Roy Cooper, Congressman Wiley Nickels and Representative Frank Sossamon attended to show their support of the students with disabilities in STEM Careers and building an inclusive and innovative STEM Workforce. 

Attached is a flier for you to distribute. If you want to bring a group of students, we have funds for a bus or van, Please contact: Joann Blumenfeld, Catalyst Program Director at: Phone: 919-633-3120 or by Email: jrblumen@ncsu.edu

*The in person and virtual open house has already occurred in January, however reach out to Joann at the email above for more information.  

Webpage:

https://sciencehouse.ncsu.edu/studentprograms/catalyst/

Link to Flyer

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

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