What's Happening in STEM Jan. 23 | Volume 2 - 2025 The NC STEM Center is a Web Portal for all things related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in North Carolina   Golden LEAF Schools Initiative looks to support at least 20 rural NC middle schools ↴ NCDPI unveils $25M school performance initiative The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) kicked off 2025 by unveiling a $25 million initiative supported by the Golden LEAF Foundation aimed at improving school performance through innovative educational strategies. Dubbed the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, this five-year comprehensive and innovative approach to educational improvement targets school culture, pedagogy, leadership, math instruction and career readiness. The initiative will support 20 middle schools across two cohorts, and all participating schools must be located in rural counties with persistent Tier 1 or Tier 2 economic status. Learn more. Please enjoy your e-Update for 2025. Connect with us to share your feedback.       Opportunities ↴ Explore NC STEM Center Do you have an opportunity or program doing great work to promote STEM in North Carolina? Now you can post your special events, summer camps, and afterschool programs for us to promote all year long. We invite you to create an account to get started today! → Read more       STEM Spotlight ↴ Stormwater Art Contest How would you protect streams from water pollution? Raleigh Stormwater is looking for 8th-12th graders to show how they would protect streams and lakes from pollution through visual art. Submit a video or artwork by Feb. 28 to win a cash prize. → Read more     Three decades of learning together ↴ Citizen Schools celebrates 30th anniversary on MLK Day Now in its 30th year, Citizen Schools is celebrating what thousands of volunteers, educators, staff and alumni have achieved together for generations of students. Check out their new anniversary webpage and be on the lookout for ways to get involved in 2025. → Read more.   2025 NC Science Festival ↴ Submit your STEM event(s) for 2025 NC Science Festival North Carolina's biggest celebration of science happens every April, and in 2024 there were more than 400 virtual and in-person events scheduled throughout the state. Next year aims to be even bigger! The North Carolina Science Festival is currently seeking proposals from organizations interested in hosting an event in 2025 and get in on the fun. Use the link to submit your event today. And, of course, there are also ways for you to volunteer. → Read more.   Use your talent to help identify future STEM researchers ↴ Volunteers needed for evaluating Summer Ventures applications Calling all volunteers who can help evaluate student application essays for the Summer Ventures in Science and Math program. STEM professionals or educators can help virtually by reading applications. CEU documentation can be provided. → Fill out interest form   Registration for the program hosted by Kenan Fellows now open ↴ Build industry connections with STEMwork Sprint Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership looks to help take your teaching to the next level. STEMwork Sprint is a self-paced course designed for educators who want to create authentic, project-based learning experiences that connect students with industry professionals and career pathways. Use the link to learn more about it. Spring registration is now open through Feb. 15. You can begin as soon as you sign up. → Register now   2025 North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair ↴ Last call for judges and volunteers for this year's NCSEF STEM professionals and graduate students - here’s your chance to join other STEM professionals in building the NC STEM research and engineering pipeline. Come interact with amazing students in grades 3-12 competing in the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair. The NCSEF is the state’s affiliate to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (grades 9-12) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (grades 6-8). Here are the specifics for each event in 2025: Register for Region 3A (RTP Area) on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Scott Northern Wake Tech Community College; Register for Region 5 (Triad Area/Orange/Guilford/Forsyth) also on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem. The 37th State NC Science and Engineering Fair is scheduled for March 29. Register here to be a judge. All other volunteers interested can email volunteers@ncsciencefair.org.     Jan. 28, 2025 ↴ Eggs & Issues 2025 The 11th annual Eggs & Issues on Jan. 28 will be at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. → More    Jan. 31, 2025 ↴ NC East Vision 2025 NC East Alliance will host Vision 2025 on Friday, Jan. 31 at Greenville Convention Center. → More  Feb. 20-21, 2025 ↴ Science For All Summit Morehead Planetarium & Science Center's Science for All Summit is Feb. 20-21 in Chapel Hill. → More       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! NC STEM Phone: + 1 919 991 5111 P.O. Box 13901 Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709 www.ncstemcenter.org Copyright © 2024 | NC STEM Learning Network