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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 Support Documents Updates
The NCDPI K-12 Science Team released updates to the K-12 Science Support Documents in September, 2025. 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.
The NCDPI K-12 Science team will hold three one-day events, March 4th, 24th, and 25th. The March 4th session will be led by science leaders from the Western Region in partnership with the K-12 Science team, while the March 24th and 25th sessions will be led by Page Keeley, author of more than 20 books, including the widely used Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series, and numerous journal articles on formative assessment in science and mathematics.
Registration is free and will be on a first-come basis, limited to 150 participants per site. An early registration window was available for districts identified as low-performing based on 2024-2025 data.
General Registration Window - January 29th - February 27th
Districts are asked to register a team of 3, with two additional spaces available on the waitlist. Charter schools are asked to register a team of 2, with one additional space for a waitlist.
Waitlist will be reviewed on an ongoing basis after February 27th.
For more information contact Charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov.
Dates and Locations:
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March 4, 2026 - Western Region/K-12 Science Team, Isothermal Community College (286 ICC Loop Rd, Spindale, NC 28160)
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March 24, 2026 – Page Keeley, Pitt County on the ECU Campus (Harvey Hall at the Murphy Center - 660 Ficklen Dr, Greenville, NC 27858)
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March 25, 2026 – Page Keeley, Guilford County at the Guilford County Professional Development Center (2703 E. Florida St., Greensboro, NC 27401)
*Registration information was sent to each district's CAO and to charter school leaders through their leadership listserv. We look forward to seeing you soon!*
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February, 19 from 3:30-4:30pm
NCDPI K12 Science: NC Atlas of Phenomena
Discover how the North Carolina Atlas of Phenomena (NCAP) can bring local phenomena into your science instruction. This resource helps educators connect the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science to real-world, place-based examples, supporting students in making predictions, solving problems, and explaining the natural world. Join us to explore how NCAP can be used in both formal and nonformal settings to spark curiosity and deepen science understanding.
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.
Each year, educators across North Carolina have the opportunity to apply for DNCR’s Horne Creek Living Historical Farm’s Apple Trees for Schools program. Winners of the essay contest receive four heirloom apple trees grafted from the site’s Southern Heritage Apple Orchard to plant at their schools.
As Kevin Hauser of Kuffel Creek Apple Nursery explains, “Instructional school gardens/orchards are a way of introducing children to the wonders of the natural world, the healthy eating habits of home-grown produce, and the joy of harvesting the fruits of their own labor. The costs are miniscule, and the benefits last for a lifetime.”
Interest in the program soared this year, with more than thirty educators submitting essays for the 2025–26 grant cycle. The quality of submissions was outstanding, making the competition fierce. Traditionally, one school is selected, but thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, four schools will receive trees this year.
The selection committee was impressed by the creativity and thoughtfulness of the winning essays, the innovative plans to enhance student learning, and the partnerships teachers established with community organizations to support their orchards’ success.
Congratulations from Horne Creek Farm to the following educators and schools:
- Ms. Elizabeth Peeples – North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham County)
- Ms. Kim Busch – Lakeshore Middle School (Iredell County)
- Ms. Bryony Blahnik – Elkin Elementary School (Surry County)
- Ms. Catherine Marks – W.R. Odell Elementary School (Cabarrus County)
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Friday, April 10–Sunday, April 12 (with a Virtual Kick-Off on March 26)
Middle and high school teachers of all disciplines are invited to an immersive, cross-disciplinary weekend exploring how enslaved people carved pathways to liberation through North Carolina’s waterways, swamps and landscapes. Discover powerful stories of resilience and resistance through tours, discussions and hands-on activities that integrate science, nature, history, and culture.
Earn 2.0 CEUs in this new pilot (and FREE) experience offered by DNCR. This place-based learning opportunity includes:
🌟 Private tours of DNCR's Historic Edenton & Somerset Place
🌟 Guided canoe tour on the Cashie River led by staff at DNCR's North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
🌟 Private performance of spiritual and freedom songs by Mary D. Williams
🌟 Foodways workshop and lunch with award-winning Chef Adé Carrena
🌟 Keynote by Antwain K. Hunter
🌟 2.0 CEUs, lodging & a $100 stipend
Space is limited. Application deadline is February 22. Details, agenda & application at www.dncr.nc.gov/RiversandResistance.
 
Teaching Positions open for the 2026 session of NC Governor’s School!
Come and work with talented and intellectually engaged high school students in a thriving learning community this summer – without grades!
NCDPI is specifically seeking creative, engaging teachers. 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 both Governor’s School campuses, hosted by Greensboro College and Meredith College. GS is currently seeking instructors for Area II/Philosophy, Instrumental Music, Math, Natural Science, Social Science, Spanish, and Visual Arts. Along with openings for office positions and coordinators for Communications and Technology.
We also have openings for our GS Fellows program, a five-week paid internship. Being a GS Fellow offers an opportunity to gain leadership experience through working with students in residential life, assisting in classrooms, and leading campus events. For more information and to apply, visit the employment page of our Governor’s School Website.
Governor’s School will take place June 21-July 18, with employees arriving on June 15 to begin orientation. We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews in the coming weeks. If you have questions regarding any openings, reach out to us at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!
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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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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