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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.
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.
Professional Development and Classroom Opportunities
NC DNA Day
Would you like a scientist from one of NC’s leading research institutions to talk with your high school science classroom in late April?
Each year in late April, 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!
What Teachers are Saying...
“DNA Day has been a wonderful addition to my classroom for the past 3 years... My students love it when they have "real life scientists" come talk to them. It helps the students see that science is "real" and can be fun and interesting and is truly part of their actual life."
“The presentation was fantastic, and my students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were motivated and engaged!”
"This presentation completely supplemented what we've been doing in my classes this year. It gave the students something to think about and demonstrated the relevance of what we're learning."
What Students are Saying...
"I forgot how much one could do with a background in science. It opens doors that I can't wait to discover."
"The ideas/concepts were presented in a colorful way yet understandable way to both teach us and keep our attention."
"Today I realized that there were many more career options in science than I realized before."
*Deadline to request a visit extended to March 22*
 For more information you can contact:
- Catalyst Director Joann Blumenfeld by phone at 919-633-3120 or by email at jrblumen@ncsu.edu
- Catalyst Program Coordinator Jessica Yose by phone at 919-618-0433 or by email at jnyose@ncsu.edu
Biomanufacturing Workshop for K-12 Educators
BTEC’s NIIMBL eXperience for Educators is a two-day workshop designed to empower educators with the knowledge and resources to introduce students to the field of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
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Dates: August 3rd & 4th, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
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Cost: Free for selected participants (Includes meals and resources)
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Location: Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC), NC State University Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC
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Job Shadow Opportunity for High School Students at Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium
Our aquarium offers job shadows to students in grades 9-12. Each student is able to register for a full 8-hour day at the aquarium—whether for their own interest, a class requirement, or community service—where they'd shadow multiple different professions through their daily routine.
Multilingual Learner Education Updates
3rd Annual English Language Development Recognition Award
Recognizing ML Teachers of Excellence!
The nomination process for the 2025-26 ELD Recognition Award is now open! If you would like to nominate an ESL/ML teacher of excellence, please contact the ML leadership team and let them know. The nominee will submit a portfolio highlighting their initiatives and contributions.
The nomination process will close on May 17. If you have any questions, please reach out to walter.moore@dpi.nc.gov or marshall.foster@dpi.nc.gov. Or, drop in during our office hours, Thursdays at 10:30.
Effective Content Instruction for ML Students in Reading and Listening
Turn reading and listening into exciting adventures for your multilingual learners! Join us for a lively professional development session where you’ll discover creative, research-backed strategies to boost ML students’ skills while diving deep into meaningful content. Unlock the secrets to blending explicit language instruction with engaging, content-rich activities that make reading and listening come alive.
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 8, 3:30-5:00 pm
Registration
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!
Accessibility Updates
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing an accessible online experience, the Office of Teaching and Learning is updating website content to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards. These updates ensure that our digital services are usable by everyone.
During this process, some documents and materials on our website may be temporarily removed or unavailable while they are being reviewed and remediated for accessibility.
If you need access to a document that is currently unavailable, please contact the corresponding person and content area below. We will provide the requested materials as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to enhance our website’s accessibility for all users.
Office of Teaching and Learning General Information, Global Education - kelly.schultz@dpi.nc.gov
Science, Math, and STEM - charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov
Social Studies, Arts Education, Character Education, Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act - lori.carlin@dpi.nc.gov
English Language Arts, English Language Development, Literacy Instruction Standards, World Languages, Dual Language/Immersion - stacy.daniel@dpi.nc.gov
Healthy Schools - ellen.essick@dpi.nc.gov
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
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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