Best of STEM in North Carolina for 2025
Please enjoy our compilation of some of the top stories in STEM education this year. |
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Nominations are open for 2026 now until Dec. 16 ↴
North Carolina SMT Center honors excellence in STEM
 The North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) celebrated many of the state's finest educators, students and community partners at the 2025 Celebration of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Gala this year in Durham. The highlight of the April evening was the annual SMT Center Awards, recognizing extraordinary contributions to advancing STEM education across North Carolina. Honorees represented outstanding achievement, leadership and innovation in classrooms, community programs, and industry partnerships. View 2025 SMT Center Award recipients and watch their videos. In addition to the SMT Awards, the event also celebrated student achievements in STEM competitions statewide and honored outstanding K-12 educators supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Career Awards for STEM Teachers. Congratulations to all of those recognized this year, and thanks for all that you do for North Carolina! We look forward to seeing this coming year’s winners. Nominations are open for 2026 SMT Awards now until Dec. 16.
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January: 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 the year 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. |
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February: Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching ↴
5 NC educators receive nation's top honor for STEM teaching
 Five North Carolina teachers this year were honored as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest award K-12 teachers can receive for instruction in those two subjects. View winners.
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April: NCSSA and NCASLD named four with this year's distinguished recognition ↴
Celebrating the 2025 Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Awards
 The North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), in partnership with the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD), in April announced the 2025 recipients of the Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award. Recipients include: Dr. Chris Blanton, Assistant Superintendent, Watauga County Schools; Dr. Ingrid Medlock, Chief of Staff, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Ms. Jamie Synan, Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Student Support Services, Moore County Schools; and Dr. Rodney Trice, Deputy Superintendent, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. The Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award is a distinguished recognition within North Carolina’s educational leadership community. It honors the accomplishments of emerging leaders while celebrating the lasting influence of Dr. Houston’s career marked by excellence, innovation and service. This award reflects a strong commitment to the advancement of public education and the development of future school leaders across the state. Read full announcement.
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April: Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year ↴
Rachel Candaso: 2025 BWF North Carolina Teacher of the Year
 Congratulations once again to Rachel Candaso, a Pitt County Schools middle school teacher and AVID coordinator, who was named the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year in April. In addition to being named the North Carolina Teacher of the Year only five years into her tenure in the classroom, Candaso also holds the title of Pitt County Schools’ Teacher of the Year and is a 2024-25 Kenan Fellows Program participant. She is also active in the Teach for America organization, having served as a storytelling fellow, advisory board member and corps member. Read full announcement. North Carolina has recognized outstanding teachers through its Teacher of the Year program since 1970. For more information on North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year recognition program, visit the program's website. |
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May: State recognizes schools that implement military-friendly practices ↴
453 North Carolina schools receive Purple Star Award
 North Carolina has long been home to a large population of active duty, guard, reserve and veteran armed service members. In May, 453 North Carolina schools received the Purple Star Award for their commitment to supporting military students and families, with recipients including 12 charter schools and 65 new awardees. The award acknowledges the unique challenges faced by military families and highlights the crucial role schools play in supporting them. Learn more.
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July: NSF report highlights three key investments for the future ↴
Promoting American prosperity through STEM
STEM fields today are advancing rapidly and taking the economy with them. Fields like AI, quantum computing and biotechnology have the potential to unlock massive economic benefits. To take advantage of these opportunities, the country needs a robust, well-educated workforce. The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently highlighted three different investments that are capitalizing on the American promise. Read NSF story.
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August: Golden LEAF Schools Initiative moves forward ↴
Investing in rural schools is investing in NC’s future workforce
 In rural North Carolina, the future workforce is cultivated in classrooms where middle school students are wrestling with math problems and exploring the first ideas of what their careers might one day be. That’s why the Golden LEAF Foundation launched the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a $25 million commitment over five years to strengthen middle school math instruction and career development in 15 North Carolina rural schools. Learn more. |
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September: NC students mark three-year high on most standardized tests ↴
Test scores, graduation rates on the rise for NC students
 North Carolina students achieved a three-year high in most standardized tests at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, according to annually released test data presented to the State Board of Education in September. Students scored higher in 12 of 15 math and reading assessments, with only third-grade reading, English II, and NC Math I trailing the 2023-24 results. The average composite score for 11th graders taking the ACT rebounded to 18.2 in 2024-25 from a slight dip of 18.1 the previous year. Read story and view results.
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October: North Carolina on the forefront of incorporating durable skills into classrooms ↴
NCDIT launches Digital Skills Standards
 The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity has published the North Carolina Digital Skills Standards, which are designed to provide those throughout the state with the digital tools and competencies they need to thrive in the modern world. A key component of this work was to define what it means to be digitally prepared. Recognizing that digital access alone is not enough, this project introduces a statewide framework that identifies six core areas of essential knowledge and abilities for full participation in civic, economic and social life. These standards were developed in partnership with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University as well as input from 25 other organizations and agencies across the state. Access full story.
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November: North Carolina builds from federal tradition of recognizing academic success ↴
Four NC schools receive State Blue Ribbon recognition
 Four North Carolina public schools were honored this fall as inaugural statewide Blue Ribbon Schools award winners, a program created by NCDPI to continue the tradition of recognizing and highlighting schools that are excelling in academic success. North Carolina’s inaugural recipients were nominated based on 2023-24 accountability results. The honorees include: Apex Friendship Middle School (Wake County Public Schools), Henderson County Early College (Henderson County Public Schools), Mills Park Middle School (Wake County Public Schools), and Pinehurst Elementary (Moore County Schools). This new recognition program was created due to the termination of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Program, which had previously celebrated the top performing schools across the country. Read more.
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November: Scores and participation in Advanced Placement exams set new record for the state ↴
AP growth in North Carolina continues to outpace the nation
 For the fourth year in a row, North Carolina students increased their scores and participation in Advanced Placement exams, outpacing the national average and setting a new record for the state. View results.
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Looking ahead to 2026: Everyday. Everywhere. Everyone ↴
Submit your STEM event(s) for 2026 NC Science Festival
 North Carolina's biggest celebration of science happens every April, and in 2025 there were more than 400 virtual and in-person events scheduled throughout the state. Next year aims to be even bigger! The official 2026 theme is Everyday. Everywhere. Everyone. This will focus on the science that is all around us and within our daily lives. The North Carolina Science Festival is currently seeking proposals from organizations interested in hosting an event in 2026. Use the link to submit your event. And, of course, there are also ways for you to volunteer. Get involved.
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Thank you for a great year!
Happy Holidays
We're excited for what's to come in 2026 |
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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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