Standard Course of Study & Supporting Resources

K-12 Science Standards Documents

View and sort K-12 Science Standards and supporting documents including: the Science Standard Course of Study, Unpacking, Glossary, and the Science Standards Crosswalk, etc.

Explore the Science Repository

K-12 Science Standards Resource Hub

The NC K-12 Science Standards Resource Hub is a repository to provide all Science stakeholders a variety of resources for supporting school leaders, administrators, educators, and parents/caregivers. In addition to the 2023 K-12 Science Standards Support Documents, the Hub houses other resources such as the standards, crosswalks, communications, and other recommended resources related to the implementation of the North Carolina K-12 Science Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS). Science educators are encouraged to browse, reference, download, share, discuss, and adapt resources. 

K-12 Science Additional Resources

Tab/Accordion Items

2023 K-12 Science Standards Strands

Physical Science

Earth Science

Life Science

This K-12 resource aligns the 2009 NC Science Essential Standards with over 200 research-based formative assessment probes that are authored by Page Keely and published by National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) press.

Although the FA guides are aligned to the 2009 Science Standards. Teachers can review the 2023 Crosswalks in order to align with the new Standards.

For more information see the Formative Assessment Probe Alignment Guide.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year.

For more information, please visit the NCDPI PAEMST webpage.

To identify and recognize exemplary STEM Schools and STEM Programs, the STEM Schools of Distinction recognition program was developed. This program provides a standard definition of quality STEM implementation using the STEM School Progress Rubric as the framework and backbone of the application process for implementing the 5 Overarching STEM Principles. Schools have an opportunity to submit an application providing narrative and artifactual evidence of their schools' distinguished STEM approaches to leading and learning. 

For more information visit STEM Schools of Distinction.

Supporting Multilingual Learners

Stakeholders have different areas of expertise and are often responsible for different aspects of educational planning and delivery; however, collectively, they are responsible for the success of Multilingual Learners. Each teacher can contribute to deliver coordinated educational experiences for Multilingual Learners according to their own qualifications and areas of expertise (WIDA 2020). To aid content area educators in supporting Multilingual Learners, please visit the NCDPI ESL/Title III Team’s ELD Standards Resource Hub.