New Opportunities: March15, 2021


An affordable, simple, and creative robotics resource for students designed in-house and for educational purposes only. This resource is open-source and free for you to use in your classroom!


Opportunity for Middle School Teachers: 2021 Nano Summer Institute (4/15 deadline)

The NSF’s Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor (SENIC) team, based at Georgia Tech and the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) in Greensboro, NC, is sponsoring the 2021 Nano Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers (NanoSIMST). Attached are the event’s flyer and some slides that provide additional information. The JSNN is hosting this year’s virtual event, which is open to all North Carolina Middle School teachers and runs from Monday, June 21st, through Thursday, June 24th. Direct links to a brief SIMST video and to this free event’s registration page are listed below:

SIMST Video:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXsReFAw-8&t=2s

2021 Nano-SIMST Registration Page:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/senic-nanoscience-summer-institute-for-middle-school-teachers-nanosimst-tickets-140377164879


Announcement from the North Carolina Presidential Awards 

for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program

The North Carolina PAEMST Program is requesting that you consider reviewing applications for the Presidential Awards.

This award cycle focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers for grades 7-12.

Reviewers should have at least 5 years of teaching experience and have appropriate college degrees from accredited institutions in the areas in which they wish to review.

Reviewers will be offered compensation and can earn contact hours which can be submitted for CEUs!

(In the past cycle, the typical reviewer earned $75 and 8 contact hours.)

What is the projected time commitment?

  • 2.5 hours to complete training (45 minutes if you reviewed in the last cycle)
  • 6 hours to review 3 applications in the first round
  • If you are asked to be a 2nd round reviewer, an estimated additional 10 hours that includes reviewing applications and a virtual meeting in late April.

Important dates for 2021 PAEMST Reviewers

  • Training will be sent to you after completing the Reviewer Interest Form.
  • Training completed by Monday, March 22
  • Applications assigned on Friday, April 2
  • 1st Round Reviews completed by Monday, April 12 (gives 2 weekends)
  • 2nd Round Reviews completed by Monday, April 26
  • 2nd Round Reviewer Meeting on April 26, 27, or 28
  • Lead Reviews completed by Monday, May 24

If you are interested, please complete the NC PAEMST -Reviewer Interest Form.

If you have any questions, please contact the North Carolina PAEMST State Coordinator, Joseph Reaper, at [email protected].


lets get ready

Let’s Get Ready! A Family’s Guide to Support Kindergarten Readiness

What is it? 

Let’s Get Ready! is a resource for families and caregivers to use as they initiate the process of transitioning their child to kindergarten. The guide is grounded within a whole child approach, building upon the five developmental domains from NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Let’s Get Ready! provides family-friendly guidance on age-appropriate developmental skills, support tips, and at-home activities where adult/child interactions are the central focus.  A Transition Timeline provides general guidance for the logistical steps a family faces the year prior to kindergarten and additional resources can be found through QR codes on the back cover.

 Where can I aquire a copy?

  • A version is available for download and print at the following link:

OEL Google Site: Kindergarten Readiness Resources for Families

  • The guide will be coming soon to the NC DPI Publications Catalog with copies available in full-color ($5.00/copy) and black and white with color covers ($3.00/copy). Copies may also be requested by emailing [email protected]

*We are currently in process of providing this publication in Spanish.