Update on Ensuring ADA Accessibility
On April 20, the U.S. Department of Justice extended the compliance deadline for the ADA Title II web and mobile application accessibility rule. NCDPI's new deadline is April 26, 2027, giving approximately one additional year to meet the requirements.
The extension does not change the work to ensure we meet obligations under the ADA to make documents, websites, and materials accessible. In the short term, the Science Resource Hub will remain available, as will all of the documents currently posted. Over the next year, the team will continue working to address and remediate previously published documents, presentations, and videos.
To appropriately address ADA requirements, the format and structure of some documents may need to be altered. The K-12 Science team has already addressed the accessibility of the following resources:
- K-12 Standard Course of Study (English and Spanish)
- Support Documents for all grades/courses and the Formative Assessment examples
- 2023 K-12 Science Standards crosswalks to 2009 Standards
- NC K-12 Science Domains and Standards spreadsheet
- NC Science Formative Assessment Probe Alignment Guide
These resources have been posted on the K-12 Science Landing page, which can be accessed by clicking on the following link: K-12 Science Standards and Supports
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
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.
New 2025-2026 Strand Maps
The NCDPI K-12 Science section has released four new strand maps representing the 2023 Science Standards. Strand maps show how concepts learned in early elementary grow in sophistication and complexity as students progress from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The maps articulate the vertical progression a student experiences as he or she works toward mastery of a concept or core idea. These maps are intended to be used by groups of teachers as they plan for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The full set of strand maps can be accessed on the K-12 Science hub on the Instructional Resources page.
The Summer Conference is Just Around the Corner!
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Teaching and Learning proudly presents the 2026 Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and The Standards Academy Summer Conference. This unique professional learning opportunity brings together two outstanding conferences in one location, offering educators, instructional leaders, and administrators access to sessions focused on multilingual learner success, standards-based instruction, leadership, innovation, and equitable practices.
- In person on June 23rd - 25th in Johnston County at Cleveland High School, 1892 Polenta Rd., in Clayton
- Virtual Summer Conference sessions will take place from July 13th through the 16th
Science teachers—spark curiosity and language growth!
Join us June 23–25 at Cleveland High School in Johnston County for Growing Success for MLs and The Standards Academy Summer Conferences for hands-on sessions including
- Static Electricity: Getting a Charge Out of Science Phenomena
- The Multilingual Multimodal Science Inventory
Participants can choose from a variety of leadership and instructional tracks featuring topics such as relationship-driven leadership, family engagement, teacher recruitment and retention, AI-supported instruction, academic discourse, literacy development, culturally responsive teaching, and equitable access for multilingual learners.
Administrators looking to strengthen school culture and build sustainable ML programs will benefit from several leadership-focused sessions, including:
- Empowered PD: Reimagining Professional Learning for ML Teachers Through Leadership, Choice & Impact
- Creating a District ML Pathway to Recruit Highly Effective (Future) ML Teachers
- Learn about Project Glad
- Equitable Practices for Multilingual Learners' Success in MTSS
- Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Partnering with Multilingual Families
Instructional leaders seeking ways to improve academic outcomes for MLs will find multiple sessions dedicated to rigorous and engaging instruction, including:
- Solving the Problem of Problem Solving: Five Instructional Shifts for Scaffolded Success
- Expanding Reading Instruction With Multilingual Learners
- Academic Discourse: Discussions to Support Language Acquisition & Content Learning
Content and ML teachers will have opportunities to explore practical instructional strategies, content-specific supports, and innovative approaches designed to increase ML academic success, including,
- Experts from NCDPI content areas will also be on hand to unpack standards, share instructional resources, and present additional sessions focused on supporting multilingual learners across content areas.
- When SIOP Meets AI: Keep the Heart in Your Teaching
- Simple Modifications, Big Impacts: Boosting ML Success
- Academic Discourse: Discussions to Support Language Acquisition & Content Learning
Share the brochure and register for the conference today!
Introduction to Modeling Biology Instruction and Introduction to Modeling Chemistry Instruction
Two separate courses offered simultaneously on the dates and at the locations listed below:
Do you teach high school Biology or Chemistry? Are you interested in teaching with a structured inquiry approach that equips you with the content knowledge and pedagogical tools needed to transform your instruction and your students? Modeling Instruction is a great fit for the Science and Engineering Practices in North Carolina's science standards.
The Science House at NC State University is currently accepting applications for an exciting teacher professional development opportunity being offered this summer. Please note these are introductory courses (3 days in length) and not the full Modeling courses we have offered in the past. Participants will be introduced to the pedagogical principles of Modeling Instruction and shown examples of the course content in practice. These courses are intended for those interested in learning more about Modeling Instruction who have not taken a previous workshop. Introduction to Modeling Biology Instruction and Introduction to Modeling Chemistry Instruction will be offered in two different locations this July. The basic details are as follows:
2026 Dates and Location:
July 14-16, 2026 - Raleigh, NC
July 21-23, 2026 - Morehead City, NC
Hours and Credits: The workshops will include 6 hours of instruction per day, totaling 18 hours, and 1.8 CEU credits.
Cost: There is no cost to participating teachers. These workshops are free. We are unable to provide stipends for these courses as in the past.
Travel: Participating teachers are responsible for their travel expenses to the workshop locations. If you are not within commuting distance to either location and wish to attend, we can recommend nearby hotels.
Please get in touch with Scott Ragan at nsragan@ncsu.edu if you have questions about the courses or the application process.
NCSTA Conference Presenter Application
The North Carolina Science Teachers Association invites you to share your expertise with this year's audience of science educators at our annual Professional Development Institute (PDI). We are offering 3 options for presenting:
- 50 minute concurrent sessions
- 5-7 minute lightning sessions
- Share-a-Thon
Please select one of these options on the application form. The lightning sessions will consist of multiple sessions of similar content during a 50 minute time period, followed by a Q&A opportunity. The Share-a-Thon will be held in the Benton foyer on Thursday afternoon.
Presenter Information Packet
This year's conference theme is Making Connections in the Science Classroom with the following strands:
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Connecting Effective Teaching and Learning Using Assessment - Sessions highlight how assessment functions as part of the learning process, not just a final measure. Educators will explore formative strategies that provide timely, actionable feedback and help teachers adjust instruction in real time to improve student outcomes.
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Connecting Science and Emerging Technologies - Sessions showcase how emerging technologies support scientific discovery, data analysis, modeling, and problem-solving. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, critical thinking, and ethical, responsible technology use.
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Connecting the Disciplines - Sessions demonstrate how scientific phenomena can anchor cross-curricular learning by integrating science with literacy, math, social studies, and other subjects. Focus is on interdisciplinary approaches that foster collaboration and higher-order thinking.
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Connecting Students to Be College and Career Ready - Sessions feature relevant, real-world learning that links science to students’ lives, communities, and future pathways. Emphasis is on applying science to solve authentic problems while building durable skills for college, careers, and informed citizenship.
Submit your session by June 30 for NCSTA 2026 PDI!
© 2026 North Carolina Science Teachers Association
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ELA Standards Update Webinar Series
Join the NCDPI ELA Team throughout the 25-26 academic year to learn more about the proposed English Language Arts Standard Course of Study.
Webinars will allow participants to:
- Gain a greater understanding of the proposed standards
- Explore proposed revisions to the 2017 SCOS
- Dive deeper into the proposed SCOS organization and structure
- Receive updates on the installation timeline and supporting resources
Upcoming Webinars
Register today for the remaining hour-long learning opportunities, and consider sharing the flyer with colleagues who would be interested in joining!
Previous Webinars
View recordings of previous webinars to catch up on information you may have missed or share the recordings with colleagues to keep them in the loop! Recordings to previous webinars are available in the ELA Virtual Implementation Kit (VIK) on the Professional Learning Page under On-Demand Resources.
Join NCSTA's search for our best science educators to honor at our 2026 PDI Awards Ceremony.
We are looking for awardees for each of our 8 districts for elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as distinguished service categories.
Our website has more information and the nomination forms.
Nominate deserving science teachers/leaders today and help us give them the recognition they deserve.
Listed below are the different award categories. Please go online to https://www.ncsta.org/awards.php to see the requirements for each award and to complete a nomination form. A celebration ceremony will be held at our annual conference in November.
Outstanding Student Teacher in Science Awards are presented to recognize undergraduate teacher education students seeking certification from a North Carolina college or university who have demonstrated outstanding ability as well as promise in the teaching of science during the student teaching process. The nominees must have completed student teaching within a year before the award presentation in October.
- Elementary
- Middle
- High School
District Outstanding Science Teaching Award for the eight districts in NC: These Awards are presented to recognize excellence in science teaching in North Carolina, to teachers who exemplify excellent, creative, innovative teaching of science to teachers in their district. The award is open to teachers at the elementary, middle and high school grade levels. The winners will receive an award and one year's membership in NCSTA.
- Elementary
- Middle
- High School
Distinguished Service in Science Education in North Carolina Award: These awards are presented to recognize excellence of contributions to science education in North Carolina. They recognize service to science education in the individual's school, school system, NCSTA district, and at the state level.
- Elementary
- Middle
- High School
- Administrator/Supervisor
- College/University
- Commercial
- Non School Setting
K-12 Science Standards Resource Hub
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The NCDPI K-12 Science team has created a repository to provide a variety of resources for supporting school leaders, administrators, educators, and parents/caregivers. The NC K-12 Science 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 science standards and support documents
- Previous PD presentations, recordings, and resources
- At Home Resource Guides for parent/guardians
- STEM Content Integration
Science educators are encouraged to browse, reference, download, share, discuss, and adapt resources.
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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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