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.

K-12 Science Additional Resources

Tab/Accordion Items

NC Science K-12 Essential Standards: Domains and Strands

Physical Science

Earth Science

Life Science

The strand maps demonstrate how the North Carolina Science Essential Standards guide students’ thinking about core concepts in Science and show how students' ideas become increasingly sophisticated over time. References: A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas; the Benchmarks for Science Literacy; and AAAS Atlas of Science Literacy Vols. I and II

 

This K-12 resource aligns the 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.

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.

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.