North Carolina New Schools, in partnership with others in business, government, philanthropy and education, is building a new vision of teaching and learning to prepare students for work and life in this century. A globally competitive, knowledge-based economy is a fact of life for North Carolina's high school students - now and for the foreseeable future - and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are critical drivers in that economy.
For more details, visit our STEM Education website.
North Carolina New Schools works with a network of 30 innovative high schools focused on STEM to strengthen instructional practice and build more effective, challenging curriculum. These schools aim to raise student performance and engagement by changing students' perceptions of science and mathematics as well as their perceived and achieved abilities in these disciplines. Schools will be developed in fields that are consistent with NC's economic and workforce development requirements including energy, health and life sciences, aerospace, and biotechnology and agriscience.
STEM schools provide the tools and space for exploration and invention and foster a culture of collaborative inquiry among faculty and students. STEM curriculum emphasizes connections within and between the fields of mathematics and science; heavily and meaningfully integrates technology; and introduces and continually engages students in the engineering design process. The arts and humanities further support the STEM focus, and all courses highlight the role of STEM in the global society and economy. Beyond content knowledge, STEM schools value and cultivate creativity and develop the problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills that drive innovation. Extracurricular activities, summer programs, virtual and blended opportunities, and internships provide learning experiences that increase students' awareness of and interest in STEM and its importance in sustaining and improving our lives.
Additional North Carolina New Schools documents about STEM-themed high schools:
Advancing STEM Education for North Carolina Students
STEM Initiative: Outcomes, Measures and Supports 2010-2011
NC STEM resources and support:
NC STEM Education Strategic Plan (NC DPI)
NC Integrated Mathematics Project
The Science House Modeling Workshops
NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center
NC STEM Community Collaborative
NC Mathematics and Science Education Network
NC FIRST Robotics
National high quality STEM resources and support:
National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges
Core-Plus Mathematics Project
Science Education for Public Understanding Program
Geographic Data in Education Initiative
Modeling Instruction in Science
Secondary Lenses on Learning
FIRST Robotics
Youth Technology Corps
Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
Boston Museum of Science Engineering Curriculum Projects
