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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.
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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.
Keeley Formative Assessment Probe Books
Our colleagues in the Office of Digital Teaching and Learning have compiled the following resources for your reference: Uncovering Student Ideas & Page Keeley in EBSCO and additional Page Keeley titles available through EBSCO. In total, there are three additional eBooks by Page Keeley linked. North Carolina educators can access these eBooks by logging in through https://my.ncedcloud.org/
Formative Assessment Probes
Books
Professional Development Opportunities
2025-2026 NCDPI K-12 Science Office Hours
The K-12 Science Section will offer office hours during the 2025-26 School Year. Each session will focus on a particular topic and target a specific audience. A certificate of attendance will be issued for participants attending the full hour. Information about upcoming sessions and registration can also be found on the DPI website as well as on the Professional Development Button found on the NC K-12 Science Standards Resource Hub. You can view the session descriptions, intended audience, as well as register for the upcoming Office Hours on the Registration button below.
The Office Hours session recording and presentation slides for September is available to view on the K-12 Science Resource Hub on the Professional Development button.
North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR)
NCABR is excited to announce two workshops for the 2025-2026 Rx for Science Literacy series. Because a limited number of seats is available, we encourage you to register as soon as possible. Registration is completely free.
Student and Classroom Opportunities
North Carolina AQ-IQ Contest
Dear Seventh Grade Science Superstars,
Get ready to spark curiosity and creativity in your classroom! The AQ-IQ Contest is back—and this year’s special topics are more exciting than ever.
Each year, the AQ-IQ Contest shines a spotlight on special topics that connect directly to what’s happening in our air and environment. These themes are designed to get students thinking critically, exploring creatively, and educating others—all while having a blast! Aimed to engage seventh grade students in real-world science, this contest challenges them to explore air quality issues, investigate solutions, and share their ideas in fun, creative ways.
🌟 This Year’s Special Topics Are:
🔥 Open Burning: What’s the Big Deal?
From backyard leaf piles to massive land-clearing fires, open burning affects the air we breathe. But did you know there are laws about what and when you can burn in North Carolina? Students can dive into the science and safety behind open burning, explore its impact on health and the environment, and propose smart solutions!
🎉 10 Years of Clean Air Success!
North Carolina has met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for a decade—woohoo! But what does that really mean? How did we get here, and what challenges lie ahead? This topic invites students to become air quality detectives, uncovering the story behind our state’s clean air journey.
🦸♂️ Adventures of the Air Avenger!
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No—it’s the Air Avenger, battling the evil Smog Queen to protect clean air for all! Students can create their own thrilling tales, comics, videos, or digital stories featuring this heroic figure’s dedication to clean air. How will the Air Avenger save the day next? Let their imaginations soar!
📅 Project Deadline: March 9, 2026
Projects can be submitted digitally—so whether your students are working in class or at home, they can participate any time before the deadline.
💡 Already have an awesome project? We can’t wait to see it! Click HERE to access our submission form.
And, be sure to check out our website for other tips, tricks, and hints on how to make a great project! Click Here
📬 Questions?
Reach out to:
Keith Bamberger – keith.bamberger@deq.nc.gov
Janina Millis – janina.millis@deq.nc.gov
We’re here to help you and your students succeed!
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New NC-based lesson: Exploring Wildland Fires, Smoke and Health (High School)
Exploring Wildland Fires, Smoke and Health is the newest lesson from the UNC Institute for the Environment’s Center for Public Engagement with Science.
Designed for NC high school environmental science classrooms, this lesson explores the factors that influence the frequency and intensity of wildfires, the health effects of exposure to smoke from wildland fires, and solutions that individuals and communities can implement to prepare for and respond to wildland fires and smoke events.
This timely and engaging lesson also highlights current scientific research examining the composition of smoke from wildfires, including fires occurring in the wildland-urban interface, and assessing the impacts of smoke exposure on human health.
Register to receive the lesson and companion slide set:
Focus Groups for NC ML/Title III Framework
The NCDPI Multilingual Learner/Title III Team is pleased to invite your Public School Unit (PSU) to take part in the upcoming ML/Title III Focus Groups. As part of our effort to design a comprehensive statewide framework that strengthens ML/Title III program quality and compliance, these focus groups will gather valuable insight into the current landscape of multilingual learner education in North Carolina.
We are asking PSU administrators and school leaders to select 1 representative for each applicable focus group. Representatives will receive up to eight guiding questions in advance to help them prepare responses that reflect their PSU’s unique needs and resources.
Focus Group Roles/Schedule
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Content Area Teachers November 13, 2025 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM
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ML/Title III Leaders November 14, 2025 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM
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Instructional Coaches and Specialized Roles, including Exceptional Children (EC) Specialists, Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Specialists, Career Development Coordinators, Media Coordinators, November 14, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM
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Administrators, Federal Program Directors, and Accountability Roles November 19, 2025 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM
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Other Support Roles, including School Counselors. MTSS Coordinators, Data Managers, etc. November 19, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM
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Parents, Caregivers, and Families of ML Students November 19, 2025 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM
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ML/ESL Teachers November 20, 2025 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Invitations are being sent to Chief Academic Officers in each PSU. Please follow up with them to build your Focus Group teams; Representatives must be selected by November 10, 2025! Your participation will ensure that this framework reflects the voices, expertise, and experiences of educators, leaders, and families across North Carolina!
Survey for NC ML/Title III Framework
In addition to the discussion in Focus Groups, the ML/Title III Team is also looking for broader data collection in the ML/Title III Field Survey. This survey will be open until December 1, and we encourage PSUs to share the link with schools, parents, and community members.
This statewide survey will gather input from educators, administrators, and partners across all regions to better understand current practices, challenges, and priorities in supporting multilingual learners. The insights collected will directly inform the design of a comprehensive framework that strengthens program quality, compliance, and equitable access for MLs across North Carolina.
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 Integrative STEM Specialist
howard.ginsburg@dpi.nc.gov
Disclaimer Statement
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