Best of STEM in North Carolina for 2023
Please enjoy our compilation of some of the best stories in STEM education this year. |
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Strategies That Engage Minds © ↴
Welcome to the new NC STEM Center
 In July, NC STEM revealed a fresh new look! The NC STEM Center was developed so parents and other caregivers, teachers and policymakers could know about STEM in North Carolina including STEM programs and opportunities for kids and their families. It was also created with program providers in mind, providing the means for discovering new partners as well as ways to showcase the STEM opportunities that providers are offering for youth. Our new web portal now has a cleaner, brighter look and much more user friendly to search our listings of STEM classes, workshops, camps, shows, and more all happening right here in North Carolina. We hope you like the new site, its functionality, and our refreshed e-Update format. → View new website
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North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate ↴
NCDPI releases Portrait of a Graduate resources
 N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) released a comprehensive set of resources in August to help schools and teachers successfully implement the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate in classrooms. These resources are aligned to a statewide initiative launched by the agency last fall to ensure that North Carolina students are exposed to key skills and mindsets (labeled as Durable Skills) during their K-12 education. These resources were created by more than 120 teachers and administrators from across the state and provide tools for educators to intentionally weave the Portrait’s seven identified Durable Skills into daily lesson plans based on grade level. → Read more
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National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ↴
NC teachers lead the nation in National Board Certification
 North Carolina continues to lead the nation in the number of teachers who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, with 486 additional teachers earning the endorsement during the 2021-22 school year. Data recently released shows that North Carolina now has a total of 23,858 teachers with the respected credential. Nationally, a total of 130,493 teachers have earned board certification, with North Carolina accounting for nearly 18 percent. North Carolina also ranks first nationally in the percentage of all teachers who have earned board certification, with 23 percent in the state holding the certification. → Read more
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2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year ↴
Kimberly Jones: 2023 Teacher of the Year
 Congratulations once again to Kimberly Jones from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, who was named the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year back in April. → Read more
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NC State’s Juntos and Tu Portal STEM ↴
NC State’s Juntos program shares $7.8M STEM grant
 NC State’s Juntos program received a $7.8 million grant this summer to improve STEM participation, persistence, and career readiness among Hispanic and Latino youth in the states of North Carolina and Washington. Juntos (pronounced “Who-n-toes ”) means “Together” in Spanish and works to unite community partners to provide Latino students grades 8-12th and their parents with knowledge, skills, and resources to ensure high school graduation and broaden post-secondary career and academic opportunities. This grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program. In relation, it's been a minute since we highlighted Tu Portal STEM, a web portal dedicated to raising awareness and increasing access to information about STEM education, STEM careers and programs, and opportunities for Hispanic students and their families. → Read more
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2023 SMT Awards ↴
Awards celebrate outstanding NC students, educators in STEM
 The N.C. Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) honored students who excel in STEM competitions and programs, as well as teachers who create special environments in the classroom and beyond to cultivate STEM curiosity, at its annual celebration on April 15. The night was four years in the making, as the last in-person celebration was held in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Award winners and their families traveled from across the state to be at the ceremony. Thank you EdNC for the amazing coverage! → Read more
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National Blue Ribbon Schools ↴
U.S. Department of Education names 2023 Blue Ribbon Schools
 The U.S. Department of Education in September recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. Congratulations to the eight schools recognized this year in North Carolina. → Read more
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Early College at Guilford in Greensboro ↴
North Carolina high school ranks best in the nation. Here’s why?
 North Carolina is home to the best high school in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.The Early College at Guilford in Greensboro came in at No. 1 this year on a list of public schools boasting top test scores and preparing students for college. → Read more
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BWF and American Academy of Arts and Sciences ↴
BWF's Dr. Lou Muglia receives prestigious honor
 The Burroughs Welcome Fund announced in May that President and CEO Dr. Louis Muglia was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Muglia’s exceptional contributions to the medical sciences and groundbreaking work and support in scientific research and education. → Read more
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NC East Alliance ↴
NC East Alliance receives $15M state appropriation
 The NC East Alliance was awarded a $15 million appropriation from state lawmakers this fall to continue developing their new STEM East “Industry In Schools” initiative as a public/private partnership with industry to support the development of a new K-14 teacher training system in the growing region. According to the announcement, 29 school systems and 10 community colleges have developed a “working alliance” with NC East that will reside at the intersection of education, economic development, and workforce development. The goal is to strengthen the talent pipeline by transforming the way rural America goes about developing, attracting and retaining a local workforce. → Read more
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North Carolina Digital Learning Initiative ↴
Grants advance digital teaching and learning in NC schools
 The State Board of Education in June approved 18 proposals for grants under the state's Digital Learning Initiative, which is designed to spread effective digital learning practices across all K-12 public schools in North Carolina. The grants aim to support the development and dissemination of innovative digital learning models, and include three types: Emerging Technology, Professional Learning, and Impact Grants. The Emerging Technology Grants are for up to $50,000 and will allow districts to use technology to develop more innovative practices within their schools. The Professional Learning Grants are for up to $30,000 and will focus on professional learning that supports innovative practices and needs. The Impact Grants will allow districts to facilitate the development of innovative practices and new digital teaching initiatives and are funded up to $95,000 per public school unit for a total of three years. The grant initiative was authorized by the General Assembly as part of collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at N.C. State University. →Read more
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Coding and Mobile App Development Grant Program ↴
NC school districts receive $800K in coding grants
 A dozen North Carolina school districts received a total of $800,000 in grants this school year aimed at developing student skills in computer science through coding. The Coding and Mobile App Development Grant program supports partnerships with local businesses to help schools develop computer science, coding and mobile app development programs for middle and high school students. The grants, which range from $27,000 to $80,000, help districts and schools purchase equipment, digital materials and cover the costs associated with teacher professional development to build capacity in coding, computer science and mobile application development initiatives. Applicants for this year’s round of grants indicated a primary goal of establishing strategies to implement and integrate the new NC K-12 Computer Science Standards by prioritizing professional development for teachers and introducing students to computer science in novel ways. → Read more
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2024 NC Science Festival ↴
Submit your STEM event(s) for 2024 NC Science Festival
 North Carolina's biggest celebration of science happens every April, and in 2013 there were more than 400 virtual and in-person events scheduled throughout the state. Next year aims to be even bigger! The NC Science Festival is currently seeking proposals from organizations interested in hosting an event in 2024 and be a part of the fun. Use the link to submit your event today. And, of course, there are also ways for you to volunteer. → Read more
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Thank you for a great year!
Happy Holidays
We're excited for what's to come in 2024 |
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Have STEM News or Event to share?
The NC STEM Center is a project of the NC STEM Learning Network, a statewide effort through the North Carolina Science, Mathematics & Technology (SMT) Education Center in collaboration with North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina Community College System, and UNC General Administration.
Thanks for your continued support! |
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NC STEM
Phone: + 1 919 991 5111
P.O. Box 13901
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709
www.ncstemcenter.org
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