• Rowan is a STEM Community

    STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are very concrete. Science deals with our natural and physical world. Technology has given us the iPads, smart phones and computers we use every single day. Engineering is all about building things. Mathematics ranges from financial decisions to gaming strategies, such as playing pool or engaging in games of logic.


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  • In Rowan and Cabarrus counties, David Murdock, one of the country’s most successful businessmen, saw the potential these communities offered and built the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in the very site where Pillowtex once thrived.


    The vision of NCRC is to create a world-class research hub for collaborative science, concentrating on health, biotechnology and nutrition.  NC STEM identified this area of great opportunity to involve K-12 in lifelong STEM education.

    NC STEM http://www.ncstem.org identified Rowan & Cabarrus Counties to facilitate the development and execution of proper STEM education so that every child has a chance to succeed. After a thorough review, our community & the citizens of these counties were asked by the NC STEM Community Collaborative to take part.

    In 2011, the Collaborative teamed up with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Rowan-Salisbury Schools and other community leaders to advance innovative STEM education in a coordinated and sustainable way.

    Highlights of this STEM Community include:

    $300,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation to promote STEM education in conjunction with the area’s biotechnology and motorsports industries dubbed the Biomoto Challenge. 

    STEM Community Kickoff with more than 8,000 people held in conjunction with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

    Partnership with the Kasey Kahne Foundation to provide field trips to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for area middle school students.

    Rowan-Salisbury Schools Mobile Stem Exploration Lab Bus with Mobile Lab Teacher spends two weeks at elementary and middle schools. The bus was funded with more than $30,000 dollars in private grants.

    Rowan-Salisbury Schools -STEM Matters Event had over 1000 in attendance. 

    How can businesses get involved:

    Local, state and national businesses know that a well-educated workforce steeped in strong STEM skills is the secret to the success of their business both today and tomorrow. Businesses remain invested in STEM education in North Carolina and nationwide through partnerships that advance resources and programs that help develop a competitive workforce.

    Businesses partner efficiently with districts, non profit organizations, individual schools and other programs to direct their resources in the most effective way possible. Fortune 500 companies such as Cisco Systems, IBM and the SAS Institute are all involved in the STEM network.

    Businesses must align their resources and commit to industry-education partnerships in order to ensure the future economic success of employers, employees, companies, states and the nation collectively.


    How to partner in STEM:

    Citizen leaders from the public and private sectors, education, economic development and the community continue to vision processes to develop STEM initiatives that are aligned with regional assets. Typically, this visioning entails analyzing assets and trends, hosting and attending community meetings, brainstorming, tapping into STEM expertise to design rigorous sustainable STEM projects.


    FIND OUT MORE:

    https://www.ncstem.org/communities/rowan-cabarrus.html

    You can check out NC STEM at NC STEM Blog, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

    Calendar of STEM Events: https://www.ncstem.org/news-and-events/events/calendar.html

    To submit story ideas for NC STEM NEWS: email Rick Smith rsmith@wral.com or Noah Garrett noah@thinkngc.com.

     


  • Award Opportunities

    North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center Awards

    Each year, the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) offers awards that recognize individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to science, mathematics, and technology (SMT) education in North Carolina are helping to advance the mission of the SMT Center. Nominations are accepted each fall. Recipients of the awards are honored in the spring at the Celebration of Science, Mathematics, and Technology. Profiles of the individuals or organizations honored are featured on the SMT Center Web site.

    Partnership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes North Carolina organizations whose innovative partnership supports the advancement of science, mathematics, and technology education.

    Business and Industry Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes a North Carolina business or industry whose support has strengthened science, mathematics, and technology preK-12 education programs in either formal or informal settings.

    Champion of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Award
    This award recognizes an individual who provides extraordinary support of science, mathematics, and technology education in North Carolina.

    Outstanding Informal Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes a North Carolina informal educator (an educator who works outside the traditional classroom) who excels in engaging young people (preK-12) in science, mathematics, and technology (SMT) activities and experiences.

    Outstanding K-8 Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes a North Carolina K-8 educator who excels in fulfilling the mission of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center.

    Outstanding 9-16 Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes a North Carolina 9-16 educator who excels in fulfilling the mission of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center.

    Student Leadership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes a North Carolina student who provides extraordinary support to science, mathematics, and technology education.

    Outstanding Administrator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
    This award recognizes a North Carolina K-16 education administrator who excels in fulfilling the mission of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center.

     


  • RESOURCES

    North Carolina Science Museums and Zoos

    • Aurora Fossil Museum
      http://www.pamlico.com/aurora/fossils/ - The museum boasts a large collection of fossils from the nearby PCS Phosphate mine and allows visitors to see fossilized bones, teeth, shells and coral.
    • Carolina Raptor Center
      http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/ - Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental education and the conservation of birds of prey through public education, the rehabilitation of injured, and orphaned raptors and research.
    • Catawba Science Center
      http://www.catawbascience.org/ - The Catawba Science Center is a hands-on museum which offers excitement and learning for all ages. CSC's permanent exhibit areas explore the Physical and Natural Sciences, while interesting traveling exhibits rotate throughout the year.
    • Colburn Earth Science Museum
      http://www.colburnmuseum.org - The museum's mission is to foster an appreciation of the Earth and its mineral resources through exhibits, educational programming, and the collection and care of specimens. Explore Asheville's hidden treasure where you will be dazzled by exhibits of mineral crystals and gemstones from North Carolina and around the world.
    • Discovery Place
      http://www.discoveryplace.org - From the frontiers of space to the depths of the sea, Discovery Place is an ever-changing, ever-growing, cutting edge science center.
    • Fascinate-U Children's Musuem
      http://www.fascinate-u.com/ - The museum is a place where children can explore their world the way they learn best-through creative role-playing, manipulation, and interaction with each other and the objects around them.
    • Grassroots Science Museums
      http://www.grassroots-science.org/ - Directory of science museums in NC
    • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
      http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm - UNC's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offers dazzling multimedia star shows, varied exhibits, year-round programming for all ages
    • NC Zoo
      http://www.nczoo.org - North Carolina Zoo
    • Piedmont Environmental Center
      http://www.piedmontenvironmental.com/ - Offers environmental education using hands-on teaching methods.

    National Mathematics links

    • Math Archives
      http://archives.math.utk.edu/ - Mathematics information and resources with a primary emphasis on materials which are used in the teaching of mathematics.
    • MATHCOUNTS
      http://www.mathcounts.org/ - MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program for middle school students.
    • The Math Forum
      http://mathforum.org/ - The Math Forum is a center for mathematics and mathematics education on the Internet.
    • Mega Math
      http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/ - The MegaMath project is intended to bring unusual and important mathematical ideas to elementary school classrooms so young people and their teachers can think about them together.
    • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
      http://www.nctm.org/ - Resources for teachers and parents.
    • Project MATHEMATICS!
      http://www.projectmathematics.com - Project Mathematics produces videotape and workbook modules that explore topics in high school math, using live action, music, special effects and computer animation. Distributed on a nonprofit basis.
    • S.O.S. Mathematics
      http://www.sosmath.com/ - Site presents on-line tutorials on concepts from pre-college and college math courses.

    National Science and Technology links

    • 2061 Connections
      http://www.project2061.org/publications/2061Connections/default.htm - An electronic newsletter published by AAAS, 2061 Connections shares Project 2061's work with the science, mathematics, and technology education community. Each issue offers an in-depth look at our current research, what we are learning, and how our findings, tools, and resources can be applied to your own efforts to advance science literacy.
    • The Afternoon School Alliance
      http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/ - The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children
    • Center for Technology and Teacher Education
      http://www.teacherlink.org/content/science/
      Offers computational science activities, guidelines for using technology in science courses, and classroom examples.
    • The Collaboratory Project
      http://www.collaboratory.nunet.net/cwebdocs/
      Provides technical advice as well as training, project consulting and web-based resources and services to K-12 teachers
    • Computational Paleontology
      http://www.notam02.no/~oyvindha/compal.html - Uses computer graphic simulations, math models and computers for paleontology.
    • Discovery School
      http://school.discovery.com/ - has many useful educational resources such as free lesson plans created by teachers for teachers
    • The Educational Resources Information Center
      http://eric.ed.gov/ - The Educational Resources Information Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences; provides easy access to educational literature and resources.
    • Education Index
      http://www.educationindex.com/education_resources.html - Provides information in various areas from agriculture to physics to women's studies.
    • Education Standards: Science, Mathematics, Technology, and Geography
      http://ssdoo.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/standards.html - national science education standards
    • Edutopia
      http://www.glef.org - George Lucas Education Foundation supported on-line magazine highlighting successful education strategies.
    • Einstein Archives
      http://www.alberteinstein.info - online Einstein archives
    • Eureka Alert
      http://www.eurekalert.org - current science news from AAAS.
    • Exploratorium Science Snacks
      http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/index.html - Full of experiments and projects that teachers and students can make. Each snack includes a different science-oriented hands-on exploration that can be used at home or in the classroom.
    • ExplorNet
      http://www.explornet.org/ - Provides an opportunity for quality learning and teaching by using technological tools so that teachers as well as students can learn a variety of concepts
    • FREE
      http://www.free.ed.gov/template.cfm?template=About%20FREE - Federal site with resources for tackling most subjects
    • GIS in Education
      http://www.ncsu.edu/gisined/ - Learn how to use GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in your curriculum
    • The Gateway to Educational Materials
      http://www.thegateway.org/ - Provides lesson plans, curriculum activities and other educational resources.
    • Globe
      http://www.globe.gov/globe_flash.html - worldwide, hands-on education and science program
    • Humane Society
      http://www.hsus.org/animals_in_research/animals_in_education/ - a source for those seeking alternatives to dissection; provides a list of interactive CD Roms that mirror actual participation in classroom dissection
    • International Education and Resource Network
      http://www.iearn.org/ - iEARN is a network of schools and youth service organizations in 48 countries. iEARN participants use communication technologies to make a difference in the world by collaborating with students and educators in other countries to address local, national and global issues.
    • Learn Anytime Anywhere Physics
      http://www.laaphysics.org/ - provides extensive research information on physics
    • Math and Science Gateway
      http://www.cac.cornell.edu/Education/SAGE.aspx-Main/Services/Education/Gateways/Math_and_Science/ - Math and Science Gateway provides links to resources in mathematics and science for educators and students in grades 9-12.
    • Middle Educators Global Activities
      http://www.ncsu.edu/mega/ - North Carolina State University program that is dedicated to 'training middle educators locally and connecting globally.'
    • NASA
      http://www.nasa.gov - NASA Space Program site has resources for students and teachers.
    • NASA Education
      http://education.nasa.gov/home/index.html - NASA's education program
    • The National Academies
      http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11876 - provides information about the science vs creationism debate.
    • National Biological Information Infrastructure
      http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt - Provides educators, parents, and students of all ages with access to online resources that emphasize the teaching of biology, biodiversity, and ecology. Included are activities, lesson plans, experiments, projects, resources, and references for classroom and home use.
    • National Evolutionary Synthesis Center
      http://www.nescent.org/index.php - NESCent web site contains resources for teaching evolution including curriculum, current research in evolution and the standards in each state for teaching evolution.
    • National Institutes of Health
      http://www.nih.gov - The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research.
    • The National Science Digital Library
      http://nsdl.org/ - site - One of the best sources for information relating to engineering, technology, and mathematics.
    • National Science Foundation
      http://www.nsf.gov - Federal agency that supports all fields of fundamental science and engineering except medical science.
    • National Science Teacher's Association
      http://www.nsta.org - Resource for teachers and parents.
    • Nature
      http://www.nature.com - On-line science journal
    • NC State Program on Science, Technology, & Society
      http://www.ncsu.edu/chass/mds/stslinks.html - science, technology and society related links
    • PBS Teachers Source
      http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/sci_tech.htm - Provides a variety of lesson plans and activities that can be sorted by grade range and topic
    • PTO Central
      http://www.ptacentral.org/ - A central information resource for PTO groups, PTA groups and other school related parent teacher organizations. Site includes ideas for classroom initiatives.
    • Science Buddies
      http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ - Science Buddies offers free science fair help for students, teachers and parents.
    • Science Learning Network
      http://www.sln.org/ - The Science Learning Network is an online community of educators, students, schools, science museums and other institutions demonstrating a new model for inquiry science education.
    • Science Netlinks
      http://www.aaas.org American Association for the Advancement of Science's on-line resource for science teachers including plans for inquiry-based lessons.
    • Science Next Wave
      http://nextwave.sciencemag.org - career development resource for scientists
    • Science Watch
      http://www.sciencewatch.com - tracks trends in basic research
    • Smithsonian Education
      http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/ - Students can engage in scientific activities and games and learn about various scientific topics such as aerodynamics. Teachers can refer to this site for curriculum building ideas and lesson plans.
    • Smithsonian Museums
      http://www.smithsonian.org - Site highlights all the Smithsonian Museums and includes special sections for teachers and students. Outstanding resource.
    • Strategian
      http://www.strategian.com - The objective of this Web site is to assist the user to define, identify, locate, and critically evaluate the information found in journal and magazine articles, books, documents, Internet sites, reference publications, etc.
    • Teachers Helping Teachers
      http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel// - Site is clearinghouse for ideas, lessons plans and teaching strategies submitted by teachers.
    • TryEngineering.org
      http://tryengineering.com/home.php - The organization is a resource for students (ages 8-18), their parents, their teachers and their school counselors. It is a portal about engineering and engineering careers designed to help young people understand better what engineering means, and how an engineering career can be made part of their future.
    • Understanding Evolution
      http://evolution.berkeley.edu/ - Provides information concerning evolution to help teachers develop lesson plans.
    • U.S. Geological Survey
      http://www.usgs.gov/education.html - Provides information for students and teachers, from curriculum-based activities, science to vocabulary, etc.
    • United States Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Program
      http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ -Through this site you can track earthquakes all over the world.
    • The Visualization Lab
      http://www.utexas.edu/cc/vislab/index.html - Resource for teachers and students seeking interactions with computer visualization systems and scientific research
    • WISE
      http://wise.berkeley.edu/
      The Web-based Inquiry Science Environment from UC-Berkeley is a powerful learning environment where students examine real-world evidence and analyze current scientific controversies.