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If you have information or opportunities you'd like to share in the monthly K-12 Science newsletter, please send a request to gavin.fradel@dpi.nc.gov no later than the third Monday of every month. Note: Not all requested items are guaranteed to be included.
K-12 Science Virtual Office Hours - April 24, 2025
On Thursday, April 24 from 3:30-4:30, the NCDPI K-12 Science Team will conduct the final Office Hours session for this season. This session focuses on the newly updated K-12 Formative Probe Alignment Guide. Learn what it is and how you can use it to incorporate formative assessment into your science classroom. Special guests will highlight how they have used the Formative Assessment Probes in their districts to support instruction. District leaders, principals, and classroom teachers are encouraged to register. Click the registration button below to register
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In March's NCDPI K12 Science Office Hours session (Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Science Classroom), Ivanna Mann Thrower Anderson from the Multilingual Learner/Title III Team at NCDPI, shared strategies to ensure success of multilingual learners in the science classroom.
You can watch the recording and access the PDF of her presentation on the K-12 Science Canvas Hub's Professional Development section under the "Office Hours 2024-2025" heading.
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K-12 Science Canvas Hub
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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 Formative Assessment Probe Alignment Guide is a K-12 resource that aligns the NC Science Standards with the National Science Teaching Association’s Uncovering Student Ideas series, a collection of research-based formative assessment probes. Each volume of probes contains easy-to-follow steps for uncovering and addressing students’ ideas by promoting learning through conceptual change instruction. Probes cover topics such as physical, life, and Earth and space science; the nature of science; and unifying themes. These books include teacher materials that explain content, address common misconceptions, and suggest grade-appropriate ways to present materials so students learn the concepts accurately. The formative assessment probes (books or digital copies) can be purchased on the NSTA website.
- This resource is housed in the K-12 Instructional Resources button on the K-12 Science Standards Canvas Hub.
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Math Revision Update
The NCDPI K-12 Math team is excited to share that during the April 2, 2025, State Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to initiate the revision process for NC K-12 Math Standards. This process is guided by State Board policy as detailed in the Internal Standards Manual.
One of the first steps is establishing a Standards Writing Team(SWT), tasked with revising the current K-12 Math standards based on research and recommendations from the Data Review Committee (DRC), which were compiled from feedback collected during the review phase.
An application will be released next week for any stakeholder interested in being part of the SWT. Anyone interested is encouraged to read the Standards Writing Team Scope of Work for a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities.
Student Opportunities
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) FIELD TRIP FUNDING – Apply Today!
Apply today for the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund, which reimburses NC public schools for visits to any state site managed by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR). Eligible destinations include NC State Parks, NC Historic Sites, the NC Symphony, the NC Zoo, and more (click here for a list of our DNCR’s 100+ sites and programs you can visit!)
Need help choosing a site or completing the application? Rebecca Barefoot, our Field Trip Fund Manager, is available for phone or virtual appointments! Contact her at fieldtripfund@dncr.nc.gov for personalized assistance. We are here to help!
Key Details:
- Funds cover: transportation (including charter buses), tour/activity tickets, special activities, substitute teachers, chaperone costs, meals for students in need, and more.
- Title I schools are funding priorities!
- Field trips to any DNCR-managed site are eligible – check our Find a Field Trip page or email us at fieldtripfund@dncr.nc.gov to confirm.
- We WANT to fund your trip and are HERE TO HELP! Need ideas? Overwhelmed by the application? Email Rebecca at fieldtripfund@dncr.nc.gov.
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The Duke Lemur Center Classroom Programs
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The Duke Lemur Center is offering FREE classroom programs to Title 1 schools. Lemurs are objectively adorable and endangered, which makes them an engaging and interesting way to explore concepts like ecosystems, genetics, evolution, and more! While we can't bring any living lemurs to your classroom, we will bring photos, videos, and even skulls to help us kickstart an inquiry-based and fun lesson with your students. You can find full details, including the current NC Science standards our programs meet at this link: https://lemur.duke.edu/engage/outreach-programs/.
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Professional Development Opportunities
Empowering Educators and Elevating Outcomes: Growing Success for MLs and The Standards Academy
The NCDPI Office of Teaching and Learning is hosting two simultaneous and interconnected conferences: The Standards Academy and Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs). These events aim to empower educators and enhance educational outcomes by fostering collaboration among participants from Public School Units (PSUs). Both conferences are free, allowing attendees to move between sessions seamlessly.
The Standards Academy: The Office of Teaching and Learning receives many requests from the field for standards-based professional development. Participants will be guided through all content area standards, from unpacking to instructional practices. These sessions aim to give new and veteran educators 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.
Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs): This conference is specifically designed for educators committed to fostering enriching learning environments for MLs. It offers tailored sessions for content and ML teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists, and Title III professionals. Join experts from across the state and the Department of Public Instruction to explore strategies for integrating North Carolina English Language Development (ELD) standards into content courses and learn best practices to enhance language proficiency. The conference emphasizes creating meaningful engagement by linking language learning with practical applications, ensuring that ML students thrive academically.
This event provides a unique opportunity for educators to collaborate, exchange best practices, and elevate student outcomes! Don't miss the opportunity to send a school team! Review the conference brochure for more information, and register today!
- Connect with other educators, share ideas, and build a supportive professional network.
Don’t miss the chance to turbocharge your expertise by elevating your impact in supporting multilingual learners at the MLs Summer Conference and strengthening your understanding of content standards at the Standards Academy!
All K-12 NC educators are invited to attend.
The goal is for participants to be able to sign up for sessions at both conferences in either Western or Eastern North Carolina.
- June 24-26 in Western NC - Buncombe County
- July 22-24 in Eastern NC - Chatham County
- June 27 and July 25 are Virtual Days Growing Success for MLs only)
Free Professional Learning for Physics Teachers
The Rickey Summer Science Institute (RSSI) for high school physics teachers, held annually at Marietta College, equips teachers with tools and training to help their students develop conceptual understanding of physics. The 2025 RSSI is being held July 7th through the 11th and will emphasize the use of video analysis tools to teach foundational concepts in several areas of physics, including two dimensional motion.
More information and an application can be found at https://www.marietta.edu/physics-rssi. Because the RSSI is endowment-funded all instruction, tools, continuing education units, meals, and housing are provided free-of-charge. An option for three graduate credits is available.
Natural Science Teaching Position Open for 2025 Session of NC Governor's School
Are you looking for a unique opportunity for this summer?
Come and work with talented and intellectually engaged high school students in a thriving learning community this summer – without grades!
NCDPI is specifically seeking a creative, engaging natural science teacher. 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 the Governor’s School East campus, hosted by Meredith College.
The Governor’s School will take place June 22-July 19, with faculty arriving on June 16 to begin orientation. We are currently reviewing applications and conducting interviews. If you have questions regarding any openings, reach out to us at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!
Draft 2 of the Proposed ELA SCOS General Survey
Survey Closes April 18, 2025
State Board of Education policy specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction will formally collect feedback on the draft revised standards from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, and other education agencies.
To support creation of Draft 2 of the Proposed 2025 ELA Standard Course of Study, the ELA Data Review Committee (DRC) completed a formal report summarizing the data and trends from Draft 1 standard-by-standard surveys. The report was provided to the ELA Standards Writing Team (SWT) for Draft 2.
The purpose of the Draft 2 General Survey is to obtain input from educators and stakeholders familiar with the English Language Arts (ELA) Standard Course of Study in order to inform further revision decisions. As such, the ELA team requests your thoughtful input and comments on the draft revised academic standards for ELA to inform the revision process.
To support completion of the general survey, a Survey Companion Document has been created to explain in detail key changes and updates made within Draft 2 of the Proposed 2025 ELA SCOS. Based on data compiled and analyzed from standard-by-standard surveys for Draft 1, the ELA DRC made the following suggestions for revisions:
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Provide more specificity within the standards and objectives and clarify terminology where possible;
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Create supporting resources to clarify expectations and provide guidance, especially for fluency with secondary grades;
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Confirm developmental and grade-appropriateness of skills;
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Confirm vertical progression of skills across grade-bands;
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Clarify mentioning of the Holocaust/genocide in secondary grade-bands; and
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Revisit grade banding for high school.
The Survey Companion Document provides context for revisions made to Drafts 1 and 2 of the Proposed 2025 ELA SCOS
The Draft 2 General Survey is estimated to take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. The ELA Team thanks you for your time and input. Your feedback is extremely valuable to the ELA standards revision process.
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
Additional Contacts
Dr. Charles Aiken
Section Chief K-12 Mathematics, Science and STEM
charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov
Howard Ginsburg
K-12 Integrative STEM Specialist
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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