Time Sensitive
Do you deserve to be among the next NC STEM Schools of Distinction?
Intent to Apply due by Friday, October 3rd. Takes only minutes to complete!
Many schools across our state facilitate quality STEM instruction; maximizing community partnerships and driving opportunities for students, developing the skills necessary for future success. NC DPI and the NC State Board of Education want to recognize each and every school that exemplifies the qualities associated with STEM success.
The STEM School Progress Rubric serves as an incredible tool for self-assessment and school improvement and is the key to achievement for STEM schools in North Carolina.
Schools who self-assess at the Prepared or Model level of achievement, based on the Rubric, are encouraged to complete an Intent to Apply with NC DPI. This intent does not obligate the school, but instead, allows the opportunity for receiving additional information and resources toward becoming recognized as one of North Carolina's finest in STEM education.
Interested schools should complete their Intent to Apply no later than COB Friday, October 3, 2025. Please contact Howard Ginsburg at howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov should you have further questions.
Resources
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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 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.
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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.
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Updates
K-12 Science Support Documents Updates
The NCDPI K-12 Science Team is excited to share updates to the K-12 Science Support Documents. These updates reflect feedback collected from the field and our grade level/content area Science Leadership Teams. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and input, which help us strengthen these resources for everyone. Please continue to provide feedback on these documents using the .
To make changes easier to locate, a spreadsheet with detailed updates for each grade and course is available on the Canvas Hub under the “” page.
We hope everyone has had a smooth start to the new school year!
Opportunities
North Carolina Mathematics Coaching Network
We are proud to announce the formation of the North Carolina Mathematics Coaching Network (NCMCN)!
Research has shown that effective mathematics coaching supports the continuous development of mathematics teachers and impacts student learning. With this in mind, the NCMCN is being formed as a state wide professional learning community for coaches who support math teachers in grades K-12.
As a coach of mathematics teachers, you can participate in the NCMCN in two different ways.
- The first way is through a small group. This group is limited in size to allow for the intensive exploration of a coaching cycle.The group will meet six times throughout the school year and be asked to participate in activities between the sessions. It requires an application and supervisor approval, as all sessions must be attended. Click here to: Learn more about this small group professional learning.
- The second way will be through four open sessions throughout the year. Everyone is invited to attend according to your schedule. Sessions will be led by the NCDPI math team and university partners.
Dates:
- Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 1:00-3:00 pm - Register
- Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 1:00-3:00 pm - Register
- Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 1:00-3:00 pm - Register
For more information, please contact Joseph Reaper - joseph.reaper@dpi.nc.gov
Apples for Schools Program
Join the "Apples for Schools" Program from Horne Creek Farm! Help preserve the South’s agricultural heritage and create a “living classroom” for your students. Apply for an "Apples for Schools" grant and receive four heirloom apple trees for your school.
Why Participate?
- Connect students with agriculture and healthy eating.
- Hands-on learning in history, science, language arts, and math.
- Minimal maintenance with long-term benefits.
Educational Benefits:
- Learn apple cultivation history and science.
- Engage in STEAM activities like mapping and studying pollination.
- Foster a connection to nature and sustainability.
For more details, contact lisa.turney@dncr.nc.gov
Applications due by October 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
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FREE NASA challenge for middle and high schools.
The challenge invites student teams in 6th-12th grade to submit experiment ideas to fly on a commercial space industry suborbital flight (e.g., rocket, high-altitude balloon). Sixty winning teams will also receive $1500 to build their experiment, a spot to test it on a NASA-sponsored flight, and technical support from our awesome NASA TechRise advisors. The challenge is a great way to get hands-on with a NASA project this school year, and we encourage teams of all skill levels to apply.
Updated challenge resources (including videos, slide decks, and educator pacing guides) can all be found on the challenge website
Visit Any of DNCR’s 100+ Sites for FREE with theLearning Happens Here Field Trip Fund!
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Lenoir County Students from Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School explore the touch tank at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.
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Make this year unforgettable with the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund, which will reimburse public and public charter schools for field trips to 100+ DNCR locations across North Carolina! The fund will cover costs such as:
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Transportation costs (including charter buses when needed)
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Admission or special activity fees (although many DNCR sites are free!)
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Substitute reimbursement (when necessary for the trip to take place)
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Meals for students who can’t afford it.
With an acceptance rate for first-time applicants of 98% and almost $500,000 remaining to award, what are you waiting for? Create lasting memories for your students with the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund. Our staff is available to assist with trip recommendations and the application process.
Need some inspiration? Search #NCLearningHappensHere on Instagram or Facebook to see lots of trips in action!
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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.
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