Home of STEMtastic News
NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
This update contains the latest announcements and current news impacting K-12 STEM in North Carolina public schools. As always, we encourage those of you who receive the updates to please share this issue with others who are not currently subscribed to our listserv. To receive STEM updates please sign up following the information provided at the bottom of this page.
Time Sensitive
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:
- 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.
- Begin by identifying your current level of performance for each Key Element. The provided Quality Indicators serve 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, both within and outside of your school, and keep record of what works well with your student population.
- Let STEM develop your culture of learning. 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.
|
 |
|
Women's History in STEM
What better way to support Women’s History Month than by celebrating the women in STEM? In this interactive video on Marie Curie, students will discover how her work on radioactivity changed our understanding of the atom and reflect on her contributions.
Assign the video in a couple of clicks, or edit the embedded questions to personalize it for your class!
|
Award Nominations
March Madness is here. Join NCSTA's frenzy to find North Carolina's best science educators to honor at the 2025 PDI Awards Ceremony.
NCSTA is looking for awardees for each of our 8 districts for elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as distinguished service categories.
Visit the NCSTA website for more information and the nomination form.
Nominate deserving science teachers/leaders today and help give them the recognition they deserve.
|
2025 Summer Institute for Data Science Teaching at NCSSM - Morganton
Attention teachers!
Join the Data Science Summer Institute at the North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM)-Morganton from June 23- 26, 2025. This free workshop, co-organized by NCSSM and the InSTEP project at NC State, is designed for middle school, high school, and community college teachers of all experience levels who are interested in learning how to teach introductory data science concepts.
Participants will engage in interactive, hands-on sessions, collect data, and explore data science tools like CODAP and spreadsheets. The institute will offer two groups, a novice track for those new to data science and an experienced track for those looking to delve deeper into programming tools like Python and R.
Travel stipends and lodging are provided thanks to generous support from Google.org and the InSTEP project. Click on the registration button today to get your application in before the priority deadline of March 17, 2025. Don't miss this unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and learn how to bring data science to your classroom!
|
 Deadline to apply for the summer NIEHS STaRS Experience
has been extended to March 17
Middle and high school science teachers and community college instructors are encouraged to apply for the 2025 NIEHS Science, Teachers, and Research Summer (STaRS) Experience. STaRS 2025 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.
The program will be held at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park from Monday, July 7, to Friday, July 18 (excluding Saturday and Sunday), from 9:00 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 7-18, 2025 - 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).
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Register for "Communicating your Research to Non-Experts"
March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00PM
This webinar is an opportunity for participants to benefit from the passion and expertise of Dr. Jory Weintraub, a NC expert in Science Communication. Students involved in STEM presentations and competitions will find this an excellent opportunity to refine their skills and shape their message. Teachers will deepen their understanding of the components of effective communication which can be integrated into their STEM courses to develop these real life college and career skills for their learners.
NC DNA Day - April 25, 2025
Would you like a scientist from one of NC’s leading research institutions to talk with your high school science classroom?
Each year, NC DNA Day sends scientists to classrooms across NC. During the visit, the scientist will teach an interactive and engaging module on an aspect of genetics and biotechnology. In addition, the ambassador will talk with your students about his or her own research and about exciting careers in biotechnology!
Please visit http://ncdnaday.org/sign-up/teachers/ to sign up to have a scientist speak with your high school classroom and present an engaging module covering a topic related to genetics and genomics!
The application for NC DNA Day is open. The deadline to request a visit is March 31, 2025.
|
|
|
|
Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) is a U.S. Army-sponsored, summer STEM enrichment program for middle and high school students that takes place in participating U.S. Army research laboratories and engineering centers. GEMS free summer STEM program is now accepting applications for student participants. At GEMS, students in grades 5–12 explore STEM in a hands-on, lab-based environment; no textbooks required. It’s 100% free, and students who complete the weeklong program receive a $125 stipend. In addition, several sites are still accepting applications for paid teaching positions—Teachers and Near-Peer Mentors (local college and upper–high school students).
Find the GEMS site nearest you and apply today at www.usaeop.com/program/gems.
|
|
K-12 Science and K-12 Computer Science Teams Spring Tour
The K-12 Science and the K-12 Computer Science teams are excited to present a joint two-day interactive session to model how to incorporate Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and Computer Science standards into classroom instruction. Attendees will experience a three-dimensional approach to teaching and learning by investigating scientific phenomena. Participants will discuss how the three dimensions from A Framework for K-12 Science Education - Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI), Science & Engineering Practices (SEP), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) - connect to the 2023 K-12 Science Standards and 2020 K-12 Computer Science Standards.
Information about registration and locations has been shared with all district science leads.
- Dates and locations for all 4 of the events scheduled are as follows:
- March 4th & 5th in Greenville
- March 11th & 12th in Greensboro
- March 18th & 19th in Robeson County
- April 1st & 2nd in Rutherford County
- Space for up to 100 per event will be first come first serve.
- Teams of up to 5 per PSU with at least 1 of those being a school/district lead are encouraged.
- NCDPI can cover up to 4 subs for districts identified as low-performing, and possibly more as funding allows. Lunch will be provided for all participants on both days.
- Please contact Charles Aiken (charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov) or Eli Hamrick (eli.hamrick@dpi.nc.gov) with any questions.
Applications are open now.
This intensive three-day professional development workshop is designed for educators who are ready to take the next step in their professional journey by becoming effective teacher leaders. Led by experienced teachers, the workshop focuses on developing the skills, knowledge, and strategies required to lead impactful professional development (PD) sessions within their local schools or districts. Participants will engage in collaborative learning, hands-on activities, and reflective practices that will prepare them to design and lead high-quality PD experiences tailored to their colleagues' needs.
Travel Expenses Covered! Limited Spots Available!
Everyday Action PLC for High School Physics Teachers
Apply by April 6, 2025
Accepted applicants will receive an email during the last week of April 2025.
Calling All Current and Future High School Physics Educators!
The STEP UP team is excited to invite passionate educators to contribute to building more welcoming and collaborative physics classrooms. As a member of their Professional Learning Community (PLC), you'll have a unique, paid opportunity to share your expertise and address all student needs.
Join a movement to create more welcoming and community-driven physics classrooms!
The STEP UP Everyday Action PLC is a professional learning community (PLC) dedicated to empowering educators to drive positive change in physics education.
Why join the PLC
You’re ready to foster a culture shift within physics classrooms to make a more welcoming and community-oriented environment for all students. Join and be part of this initiative.
When
- Two-Day Virtual Summit in the summer of 2025.
- If you are unable to attend one or both summit dates, you're encouraged to apply, and they will do their best to accommodate.
- Ongoing virtual PLC Meetings throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Who is eligible?
- Current high school physics teachers
- Pre-service physics teachers and physics education students (undergraduate, graduate, or teaching certification candidates)
- Undergraduates interested in teaching physics
- Must reside in the United States
Additional Highlights
- Participants will receive a stipend for their involvement.
- If school district policy prevents direct payment, they can arrange for the stipend to be payable to your school.
Have questions or need more information? Reach out to stepupphysics@aps.org
 |
|
Arts Graduation Requirement
As high school registration season will soon begin, a reminder that according to the Arts Graduation Policy, all students entering 9th grade beginning fall 2025 will be required to have earned one credit in a NCSCOS Arts elective by the time of graduation. If they do not already have a middle school arts elective on their transcripts, it will be necessary to register them in a high school course over the next four years. Please see the Arts Education Graduation Policy (item #9) for details. More information can be found in the Grad Requirement FAQ of the Arts Education Course Manual.
|
 |
|
The North Carolina K-12 Science Standards Canvas Hub is a repository to provide all Science stakeholders a variety of resources for supporting school leaders, administrators, educators, and parents/caregivers.
Did you know...
- The K-12 Science Standards have been translated into Spanish. You can find them in the K-12 Science Standards button on the K-12 Science Standards Canvas Hub.
|
K-12 Math Standards Resource Hub
The NCDPI K-12 Mathematics team has created a repository to provide a variety of resources for supporting school leaders, administrators, educators, and parents/caregivers. The NC K-12 Math Standards Resource Hub houses the standards, communications, and recommended resources related to the implementation of the North Carolina K-12 Math Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS).
The hub includes:
- K-12 standards and unpacking documents
- Previous PD presentations, recordings, and resources
- At Home Resource Guides for parent/guardians
- Math Options Chart aligned to post graduation plans
- STEM Content Integration
Math educators are encouraged to browse, reference, download, share, discuss, and adapt resources.
|
New & Improved! - The Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) process is here!
The new NCDPI Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) process gives NC educators a streamlined path to recognition for global education work. The updated GEDB process simplifies earning the badge while aligning it with 6 Professional Teaching Standards.
The Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) provides an opportunity for educators to focus their teaching and professional learning on global context and understanding of how to integrate global education throughout curricula. It also provides the opportunity for educators to demonstrate how they 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:
- 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
To learn more, please the access following resources about earning the GEDB:
|
Would You Like To Learn More About Character Education?
Are you eager to create a culture of character in your classroom, school, and district using the 11 Principles of Character Education? NCDPI has professional learning opportunities to assist your school or district with your character education journey. If your school or district is interested in hosting a Character Education Professional Learning Opportunity, please take a moment to complete this survey to help our NCDPI team understand your needs.
Contact Justyn Burgess, State Coordinator for Character Education, if you have questions.
Growing Success for Multilingual Learners and The Standards Academy Summer Conference
Two Conferences - One Powerful Opportunity!
Empowering Educators and Elevating Outcomes: Growing Success for MLs and The Standards Academy
All educators of Multilingual Learners (MLs) are invited to participate in the Growing Success for MLs Summer Conference. This summer's conference provides educators with an opportunity to explore innovative ELD resources and broaden their understanding of effective practices for supporting MLs. Attendees will have the chance to exchange ideas on how to enhance instruction, implement research-based teaching strategies, and create inclusive learning environments that foster the academic and social success of MLs.
The Office of Teaching and Learning receives many requests from the field for standards-based professional development. We heard you and responded by providing PSUs with this Standards Academy. During the NCSCOS content area sessions, participants will be guided through all content area standards, from unpacking to instructional practices. These sessions aim to provide new and veteran educators with a deeper understanding of the Standard Course of Study. In addition, sessions will be provided pertaining to Exceptional Children, Honors Level Coursework, Digital Teaching and Learning, and CTE
NC DPI STEM Consultant
Howard Ginsburg
howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov
If you are currently not subscribed and would like to receive future releases of STEMtastic News, please visit the NCDPI Subscriptions webpage and register for the NCDPI STEM newsletter. You will first be prompted to enter your email to create an account. Once your account is created, return to the NCDPI Subscriptions webpage to choose your interests.
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 third-party websites will be at your own risk. Any use of these third-party websites and any information you provide will be subject to and governed by the terms of the third-party websites, 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 third-party websites or responsible or liable for the goods and services offered by them or for anything in connection with such third-party websites. NCDPI does not endorse and makes no warranties, representations, or undertakings relating to the content of any third-party websites.
|
