STEM Newsletter
February 2025
SciREN Coast 2025
Are you interested in speaking with local marine scientists about how to incorporate scientific research in the classroom?
Duke University Marine Lab, NC State Center for Marine Science and Technology, UNC Institute of Marine Science, and the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores are collaborating to present the 12th Annual SciREN Coast event! This event will bring K-12 educators together with marine science researchers from various universities and institutions across eastern North Carolina. We have new researchers presenting this year, so even if you have attended in the past there will be plenty of new information available!
You will:
Hear about exciting new research projects
Gain ideas for teaching materials
Connect with local researchers and learn how to incorporate this research into your classrooms!
This event is free and is scheduled to take place at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on February 27th, 2025 from 5:30-8:30 PM. If you’re interested in participating, please fill out this form: SciREN 2025 Networking Fair Registration - Educators (google.com)
Poster Competition for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students
Each year the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts sponsors a poster contest at District, Area and State levels to provide third, fourth and fifth grade students an opportunity to become aware of and share their concerns for soil and water conservation through poster art. The students can earn prizes at the different levels as well as recognition for their work.
We would like to invite any 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade student in Onslow County to participate in this year’s contest. Onslow Soil and Water will provide the poster paper, we just need a head count for the number of participants. The posters are due February 28, 2025, but can be turned in as soon as you complete your curriculum on Soil and Water Conservation.
DNA Day
April 25th 2025
Would you like a scientist from one of NC’s leading research institutions to talk with your high school science classroom?
Each year, 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!
The application for NC DNA Day is open. The deadline to request a visit is March 1, 2025.
Are you or your students interested in renewable energy or engineering?
Put together a student team to design, build and compete in wind or ocean current energy divisions in the North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge on March 22, 2025! Your students will have the opportunity to interact with professionals in the renewable energy field and take part in competitions and instant challenges.
Elementary, Middle and High school divisions will compete in this day-long event at the Coastal Studies Institute on the ECU Outer Banks Campus. Winning teams will receive prizes and an opportunity to compete at the national KidWind competition.
Funding is available to assist in offsetting device building costs.
This event is hosted by the Coastal Studies Institute in partnership with the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program, KidWind and Jennette‘s Pier.
https://www.coastalstudiesinstitute.org/nc_renewable_energy_challenge/
Opportunity for 7th Grade Students - NC Division of Air Quality’s AQ-IQ contest
ATTENTION: One month left to create and submit AMAZING projects for the 2024-2025 AQ-IQ Contest!
The AQ-IQ contest, hosted annually by the NC Division of Air Quality, allows NC 7th Grade students to explore their interests and strengths while engaging with the material and learning about air quality. Students are asked to think creatively while designing their projects. Past projects have been posters, videos, Minecraft creations, games, and artistic projects off all sorts!
Winners will be recognized during the summer of 2025 at a REGIONAL and STATEWIDE level and will receive AWESOME prizes!
The deadline for project submission is MARCH 10,2025. The link to the online submission form can be found here or on our NC Environmental Education webpage. Additional details can also be found on the webpage.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Keith Bamberger at keith.bamberger@deq.nc.gov, or Janina Millis at janina.millis@deq.nc.gov.
Student Project Submittal Form:
Not Your Average PD
Here is the 2025 calendar:
Feb. 27, 2025: Creating Not Copying: Teaching Students to Use AI Tools Ethically – Help students use generative AI to enhance their learning while building a culture of responsibility.
March 20, 2025: The Curious Case of the PBL – Elevate your Project-Based Learning with powerful questioning techniques and strategies to engage students in deeper learning.
April 22, 2025: Building Student Resilience Through Fables – Use storytelling to help students connect with nature, build resilience, and understand their role in the community.
Each session is live on Zoom with a recording available afterward. You will walk away with resources you can apply right away, opportunities to connect with like-minded educators, and fresh ideas that will help you improve your practice.
Reserve your spot today.
Our 2024 sessions were a huge success, and we expect these to fill up quickly too. Don't miss out on this opportunity to get valuable PD that fits into your schedule.
For more info and registration:
Teen Science Cafe
Teen Science Cafés Are For Teens And Led By Teens. They Bring Students Together In An Informal Setting To Learn About Science And Technology.
Cafés happen from 6:00pm – 7:30pm one Friday a month. Each café will include a scientist presentation, an interactive activity relating to the discussion, a Q&A session, and time to meet other teens that enjoy science. This program is recommended for participants ages 13–18. This is a FREE event and pizza will be provided! Once the capacity of 30 students has been reached, submissions will no longer be accepted. Pre-registration required. Registrations will be accepted until 12pm the day before the program. Registrations for each month be will open on the 1st of each month.
Upcoming program dates:
February 07 - Amy Pitts
Amy is the Senior Geologist for Education and Outreach with North Carolina Geological Survey for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. She is bring various hands-on activities to include a geology escape room.
March 14 - Scott Stalker
Scott Stalker is a distinguished leader and speaker with over three decades of experience in the Marine Corps, encompassing roles in Space, Cyberspace, Intelligence, and Special Operations. He served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Defense Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, United States Cyber Command, and United States Space Command.
For additional details and registration: https://sturgeoncity.org/teen-science-cafe/
NCDPI K-12 Science Virtual Office Hours
The K-12 Science Section will offer office hours during the 2024-25 School Year. Each session will focus on a particular topic and target a specific audience. The office hours sessions for the first semester is shown in the table below. Information about upcoming sessions and registration can also be found on the K-12 Science Canvas Hub.
February 12, 2025 3:30-4:30
Nonformal and Formal Educators Partnerships
The session will focus on how nonformal educators and formal educators form partnerships to promote student learning.
March 12, 2025 3:30-4:30
Supporting Multilingual Learners in Science
This session highlights strategies and examples of how the use of formative assessment can support multilingual learners in K-12 science classrooms.
Information from the Grades 3-5, M2-Si grant (NCDPI and The Center for Applied Linguistics) will be shared.