STEM Education and Leadership

STEM is the infusion of two or more of the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM empowers students to understand complex problems and prepares our next generation of innovators.

Purpose

The purpose of STEM Education and Leadership is to support K-12 educators and leaders with integrated approaches to STEM teaching and learning. It connects educational stakeholders including local education agencies (LEAs), post-secondary education, policy-makers, business/industry, and other state agencies to current STEM initiatives. STEM Education and Leadership works to ensure our students are prepared to be globally engaged and productive citizens. 

STEM Overview

Educational excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and the understanding of related resources are essential components to building a workforce capable of competing within today's global economy. STEM education is not new to North Carolina. Dating back to the establishment of the Research Triangle Park in the 1950s, North Carolina has viewed STEM education as critical to the success of our economic development.

STEM Education is an economic imperative to:

• Transform education 
• Build a world-class workforce
• Align with emerging industries
• Ensure NC economic prosperity

Leaders in education, the Governor’s Education Cabinet, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, Joining our Businesses and Schools (JOBS) Commission, business and industry, private sector and the seven economic development regions convened through extensive conversations which led to the development of a North Carolina STEM Strategic Plan. The plan aligns all education institutions with a set of goals and measures to expand education initiatives focusing on three priorities. 

North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction Recognition Program

North Carolina is providing quality STEM education. To recognize our states finest STEM Schools and Programs, NC has developed an application process to identify and recognize exemplary STEM Schools and STEM Programs. The STEM Recognition Program provides elementary, middle, and high schools the opportunity to submit an application for review describing their schools distinguished approaches to leading and learning; implementing the Five Overarching Principles as defined in the STEM Schools Progress Rubric. Schools/Programs demonstrating evidence they are implementing all key elements of a quality STEM program at the "Prepared" or "Model" level will be recognized. 

Contact Us

Howard Ginsburg
K-12 Integrative STEM Specialist
Division of Academic Standards
Phone: 984.236.2844
 

Mailing Address

Physical Address