Spring 2025 “AI Technology” Webinar Series for K-12 Social Studies Educators

WEBINAR SESSION 1 - "AI 101 for Social Studies: Teaching Smarter, Not Harder"

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 / 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Vera Cubero, NCDPI Emerging Technologies Consultant

Session Description: Curious about AI but not sure where to start? In this interactive session, we'll break down the basics - how AI works, its benefits and risks, and how it can support your teaching. You'll explore hands-on prompting, experiment with AI-generated images, and design a lesson aligned to your NC Social Studies standards. Walk away with ready-to-use content and a fresh perspective on how AI can enhance student engagement. Bring your curiosity, creativity, and a specific standard from your SCOS to work with!

Register Now!

WEBINAR SESSION 2: "AI-Enhanced Learning: Beyond the Basics in Social Studies"

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 / 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Vera Cubero, NCDPI Emerging Technologies Consultant

Session Description: Take your AI skills to the next level! Session 2 is an advanced session in which we will dive into more advanced prompting and AI-generated content creation as we focus on strategies for integrating AI into your Social Studies classroom. Learn how students can responsibly engage with AI in age-appropriate ways while developing the durable skills that will empower them to succeed in their future. You will leave with an AI-enhanced lesson plan and practice ways to prepare students for an AI-powered world. Come ready to explore, experiment, and create with standards from the course(s) you teach!

Register Now!

Social Studies AI Webinar Flyer-Spring 2025.pdf

NCMA- Spring Teacher Tuesday: Special Exhibition Access for Educators

 April 29 | 4–7 PM | East Building, Level B

Come to "Teacher Tuesday" at the North Carolina Museum of Art! K–12 educators are invited to enjoy exclusive, self-guided access to the museum’s spring exhibitions. Plus, receive a free art poster to take back to your classroom!

Free timed tickets are available on the hour at 4, 5, or 6 PM—space is limited, so don’t wait!

Register now to reserve your spot and experience art in a whole new way!

The National Humanities Center: Teacher Advisory Council

Join a  network of humanities educators from around the country and take advantage of new opportunities for professional growth and teacher leadership.

The Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) supports the Education Programs of the National Humanities Center for a one-year term (August 1, 2025–July 31, 2026) of service. Chosen to represent multiple disciplines in the humanities, these educators accept an active role in the development, evaluation, and promotion of NHC materials and projects. TAC members are compensated with a modest stipend, have access to consultant opportunities on special projects, and attend an orientation at the Center.

Interested educators who meet the criteria are invited to submit their application. To be considered, please submit the required documents and complete your application form by 5:00 p.m. ET, May 15, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit the link below.

Learn more and Register!

2025 Belfer National Conference for Holocaust Education

Participate Virtually in Real Time: June 23–25 

Watch On Demand: Following Live Sessions

Coming Together to Inspire Students to Ask Why

At this free, virtual conference, discover the latest practices in accurate, meaningful teaching about the Holocaust with leading historians and educators. Bring the US Holocaust Memorial Museum's collection into your classroom with instructional strategies and resources. These materials highlight survivor testimonies, artifacts, diaries, and historical documents to support instruction across subject areas and inspire all students to think critically about how and why the Holocaust happened.

At this year’s free, virtual conference, find new sessions that demonstrate how to integrate Holocaust history into both social studies and English instruction to deepen student learning and engagement.

New sessions for 2025 will explore a broad range of topics, such as:

• Accessible Holocaust Literature Across Disciplines
• Photo Analysis for All Classrooms
• Holocaust History and Literature: Building Close Reading Skills
• Examining Survivor Testimony in Historical Context

Institute for Curriculum Services: Summer Institutes

Join ICS this summer for our 2025 Virtual Summer Institutes!

The Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) Summer Institutes are professional development programs held virtually on Zoom during the summer months. Though the Summer Institutes are designed for middle and high school social studies and ELA teachers, the programs are open to any teacher at any accredited school who will be teaching during the next school year. Teachers of subjects other than social studies/ELA may apply but should explain in their application how they plan to incorporate the lesson topics into their curriculum.

The ICS Summer Institutes provide an in-depth learning experience on our various curricular offerings. Participants will deepen their content knowledge, gain new teaching strategies, and collaborate with fellow educators. This year they are excited to offer two tracks:

1. Jewish History

2. Teaching the History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict Using Primary Sources

How much do Summer Institutes cost?

Free! In addition, participants who complete a program will receive a stipend.

Junior Achievement: Helping Educators Find the Right Solution for Your School 

As a dynamic solution provider, Junior Achievement (JA) strives to bridge critical gaps in education and community development. For educators, JA offers innovative programs and resources that empower students with essential life skills, including financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Programs are available for youth from kindergarten through high school in a range of different types of learning experiences.

For more information, please call or email Junior Achievement, and they will connect you with a helpful JA Program Manager to answer any question you may have. Additionally, they can set up a Discovery Meeting with you to better understand your goals, needs and explore potential solutions.

Flyer: JA Program Resources.pdf

OER's Climate Project

Earth Day is the perfect time to check OER's Climate Project, which is a new take on climate education. The course is focused on building the awareness, interest, and skills to address climate topics and issues. It now includes lessons that have been streamlined to improve accessibility and enhance usability, all to help you bring climate education to your students.

OER's Climate Project is perfect for middle and high-school students and is adaptable for social studies, history, and science classrooms.
It's also has flexible access so that educators can choose to grab an article, lesson or unit to enhance what you're already teaching, or use the full course.

America 250 Field Trip Guide

A new America 250 NC Field Trip Guide is NOW available online through the America 250 NC website and the NC Historic Sites website! This free resource is designed primarily for 4th-grade students but can also be adapted for middle school learners.

The America 250 NC Field Trip Guide is flexible for use at any historic site—local or state—and includes engaging activities to enhance students' learning experiences. The first section provides pre-visit classroom activities, while the second half is designed for on-site exploration. Educators can easily print the guide to share.

Bring history to life for your students! Access the guide TODAY!

US Courts: 2025 Constitution Day Essay Contest

Deadline: June 2, 2025

An initiative of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Courts4Civics promotes civics education in our schools and communities, to create learning opportunities and to increase public understanding of how courts work to resolve disputes in our society and to protect our constitutional rights.

The 2025 Constitution Day Essay Contest is open to students in grades 6-12 living in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Winners will receive monetary prizes. Ceremony for winners will be held in connection with Constitution Day, September 2025. 

 "Orgullo de Nuestra Juventud" Scholarship Opportunity from Univision 40

Do you know a high school student who demonstrates leadership, community involvement, and academic excellence? Nominate them for "Orgullo de Nuestra Juventud", a scholarship and recognition program from Univision 40 that celebrates the achievements and aspirations of outstanding youth in North Carolina.

• Four students will be selected, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship to support their college education.
• Winners will also be featured in a televised interview sharing their inspiring story on a Univision 40 news segment.

Originally known as Liga de Campeones, this initiative highlights students who embody entrepreneurial spirit, civic dedication, and social responsibility—making it a powerful real-world connection to social studies themes like civic engagement, leadership, and social impact.

Deadline to apply: April 30, 2025

Help your students shine and show what’s possible—encourage them to apply today!

Apply to the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund!

Plan a Spring Field Trip to North Carolina’s Most Inspiring Destinations!

Are you planning a field trip to one of the 100+ incredible locations managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) this spring? If so, don't miss out on the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund, which is a fantastic opportunity for NC Public Schools to receive financial support to cover upcoming trip expenses!

This fund is designed to help reimburse schools for the costs of visiting DNCR locations around the state. By taking advantage of this opportunity, students can explore North Carolina’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty, all while making lasting connections with our state’s heritage. It’s a unique chance to inspire young minds and help foster the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Important note: This funding is available for trips that have not yet been taken.

The NC DNCR team is here to assist you throughout the application process, ensuring a smooth and successful experience. Don’t miss out on this chance to enrich your students’ learning with a hands-on adventure in North Carolina!

Honors PD Day:

Dive into a day of learning evidence-based teaching methods designed to boost student engagement and learning outcomes for honors-level courses.

Our Teacher Sandbox offers:

• Instructional Strategies
• Cross-Content PLCs
• Support for Honors Level Course Evaluation and Development
• Content Areas: Science, Social Studies, CTE, ELA, World Languages

Access Flyer: Honors Level Coursework Summer PD Day.pdf

Register Today! 

Honors Team Planning Day:

Spend the day with your district team to plan how the Honors Policy will be implemented as you begin the 2025-2026 school year. This day will give you the opportunity to step away from your traditional work setting and brainstorm and plan as a team without outside distractions. While this component of the day is not a presentation style, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions with members of the NCDPI Honors Team.

Access Flyer: Honors Level Coursework Planning Day.pdf

Register Today!

Summer 2025 NCDPI Conferences:
Standards Academy and The Growing Success for MLs Summer Conference

The Office of Teaching and Learning (formerly the Office of Academic Standards) is excited to present the Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs) Summer Conference in conjunction with the Standards Academy. Both conferences will give educators the opportunity to attend both events in one convenient setting!

Subscribe and Connect with each Area in the Office of Academic Standards  

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Sign up today to receive newsletters and announcements from the area(s) or topic(s) of your choice.

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