Happy New Year From STEMWest!
The Times Square Ball Drop blends physics, engineering, and tradition, using gravity, motors, and precise timing to control a large, illuminated sphere’s descent, with math calculating its speed and energy, while the science involves electrical engineering for the lights and complex mechanics for the controlled drop. This ensures a perfectly synchronized, dramatic countdown for millions to celebrate the New Year.
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We are happy to announce that STEM West will sponsor EDCAMP STEM WEST this year on January 31, 2026 from 9:00-1:00 at NC School For Science and Math in Morganton. EDCAMP STEM WEST is a free event that uses the input from participants to create the learning sessions. Some people consider it an “unconference” because of the unique nature of how the event meets the needs of all participants. There will be breakfast and door prizes available. All who want to learn and grow are welcome to attend: teachers, administrators, pre-service teachers, youth leaders, home school leaders, higher education leaders, etc. Come and join one of the most exciting learning events of the year.
If you want to learn more about EDCAMP STEM WEST, go to: https://sites.google.com/site/edcampstemwest/
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New Year’s Eve ball drops twice as US begins 250th anniversary
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Introducing the Hour of AI
Building on over a decade of success with the Hour of Code, our new global initiative launching this fall is designed to help students and educators everywhere take their first step into understanding and creating with AI.
Through hands-on, easy-to-follow activities, learners around the world will demystify AI and imagine what’s possible when they harness it for good.
Because the future isn’t something we wait for.
It’s something we build—together.
Artificial intelligence is already changing how we learn, work, and live. Yet right now, many students are on the sidelines — using AI without understanding how it works, how to use it responsibly, or how to shape what’s coming next.
What if students of all ages could move from watchers to leaders? What if they didn’t just use AI but helped decide how it changes the world?
Learn more on CSforALL
It is now live.
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2,688
The number of Waterford crystal triangles that covers the New Year’s Eve ball.
https://www.6sqft.com/how-the-times-square-ball-is-made/ |
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Our Spring 2026 Purple Plow Challenge is now live!
Farm Forecast Challenge: How can we build a simple, accurate weather tool, prove it works, and use its data to make a real recommendation a farmer would trust?
You can run a challenge with our week-long guide or multi-week guide- either way, your team can win a prize!
There is also a new Purple Plow Puzzler, Forecast Factory, that you can check out here.
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Step into the world of agricultural careers as you try on the clothes, pick up the tools and visit the places where the men and women of American agriculture work in “My Little Ag Me!”
Play now
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| Hi!
We just wanted to let you know that applications for NCSSM Summer Accelerator are officially open!!! We offer courses on both our Morganton and Durham campuses as well as online courses in June and July. Please share this opportunity with your students and parents! Financial assistance is available if students register prior to the end of February.
NCSSM offers a residential program and an online program for rising 7th – 12th graders. The list of courses and registration link can be found at https://www.ncssm.edu/summer/summer-accelerator.
We offer a day camp for rising 5th – 6th graders on the Morganton campus. The list of courses and registration link can be found at https://www.ncssm.edu/summer/early-accelerator.
We also offer week-long day camps for rising 5th – 9th graders at the NC Center for Engineering Technologies in Hickory. On the following webpages, select your grade level then the option for programs at the NCCET to view the available courses.
Rising 5th – 6th graders: https://www.ncssm.edu/summer/early-accelerator
Rising 7th- – 9th graders: https://www.ncssm.edu/summer/summer-accelerator
Please contact us at summer@ncssm.edu with questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Gina
Gina Barrier
Director of Summer Programs & Extended Partnerships
NCSSM-Morganton
NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
901 Burkemont Ave | Morganton, NC 28655 | 828-347-9132
Design your future. | NCSSM.EDU/accelerator
Join our Mailing List – Click Here! |
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Applicants will have the opportunity to create a safe and fun environment and to support a unique and driven group of young people. We operate as a team and value integrity, support, and play!
On campus staff will complete in-person training during the week prior to Summer Accelerator. You will have the opportunity to select weeks you are available to work in the summer employment application form. Preference is given to applicants who are available all or most of the weeks. There are opportunities to support various programs on the campus. Please read the descriptions below carefully.
If you have any questions, please email summer@ncssm.edu.
Apply Today! |
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| Why Is There A Ball Drop On New Year’s Eve? |
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Microgrant Window is Open
The 2026 WNC Resilience Project Microgrant window is officially open. Grants of $250–$1,000 are available to support change ideas and projects aligned with the WNC Resilience Project strands.
 2026 Microgrant Application
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Pickle Drop, Flea Drop, Blueberry Drop: A look at North Carolina’s New Year’s Eve celebrations
Raleigh has a tradition of dropping an acorn each year to ring in the new year, but celebrations take place across the state with unique and creative drops. |
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Students design tech projects that make a difference in Pathways: Girls Who Code’s free, virtual program for high schoolers! 
In Pathways, students learn to code over seven weeks of flexible, self-paced learning—no experience required! Plus, they’ll explore exciting tracks like AI and Game Design, and join a global community of students and mentors who’ve got their back!
The tracks and difficulty levels they choose are entirely up to them, so students can explore the tech topics that excite them the most, like:
 AI + Society *NEW!
 Cybersecurity
 Data Science + AI
 Game Design
 Web Development
Ready to help students build tech for good? Submit an interest form and be the first to know when the application goes live on January 8, 2026!
SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM 
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Top resources of 2025
In 2025, teachers kept coming back to these FREE curriculum resources on Nourish the Future.
Top high school unit
Animal Science
Top middle school unit
Growing America
Top e-learning
How Science Works
And the state with the most nourishthefuture.org visitors?
Virginia! (but we see you, California and Iowa)
Look for NEW resources in 2026! Add this email address to your contacts: connect@nourishthefuture.org. Never miss a new free resource. We reply to every teacher email looking for support or connections |
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Free PhET Studio Licenses for Teachers at Title 1 or CEP Schools
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Thanks in part to a generous grant from Verizon, the PhET for Schools Network provides eligible public school districts and schools access to multiple benefits for the 2025-2026 school year.
While the program application is now closed for school-level participation, individual teachers from K-12 Title 1 or CEP schools are welcome to apply for unclaimed PhET Studio editor seats for a free 1-year license, so long as seats remain.
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Deadline: Form will remain open so long as spots remain.
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Microsoft supports the development of an AI-ready workforce by building the capacity of community colleges across the country through industry-aligned AI curriculum, faculty training opportunities, and national AI BILT representation.
Microsoft is a founding partner and sponsor of the National Applied AI Consortium. The collaboration enables direct support for colleges to develop an AI-ready workforce across the country. Microsoft’s commitment to NAAIC includes:
• Faculty and Staff Training
• Industry-Aligned AI Curriculum
• LinkedIn
• National AI BILT Representation |
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SAVE THE DATES 2026:
EdCamp STEM West 2026
January 31 at NCSSM-Morganton
(door prizes needed)
STEM Trek 2026 at Catawba Science Center
Saturday, April 18 10 AM — 2 PM
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| Watch for more STEM opportunities in the STEM West Newsletter! |
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