Summer 2024 Planning Workshop
June 25-27, 2024
NC School for the Deaf in Wilson, NC
What is a STEM School of Distinction?
The STEM Schools of Distinction (SSoD) program was developed to identify and recognize exemplary STEM schools and STEM programs. The application process rubric is built around NCDPI’s STEM Attributes, which describe the characteristics of a high-quality STEM school. STEM schools provide students at all grade levels with consistent opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills aligned with the needs of our current and emerging regional workforce.
Schools are recognized as meeting the Prepared or Model Level of Achievement. Regardless of status, schools exemplify outstanding leadership and learning, which empower keen creative thinking, reasoning and teamwork – the underpinnings of 21st-century skills. Schools recognized under Model Level of Achievement go even further by systemically interweaving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into complementary coursework in the arts, career and technical education, English language arts, healthful living, and world history.
Currently recognized STEM Schools of Distinction can be found here!
How does my school become a STEM School of Distinction?
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. The progress rubric can serve as a guide for whole school improvement as it invites all members of the school community to become involved and contribute. You can start by downloading the STEM Schools of Distinction progress rubric (linked below) and reading it thoroughly along with your school community.
STEM Schools of Distinction Rubric at NC DPI: Download
What does the STEM School of Distinction designation mean for my school?
The Recognition Program and application process was developed by leadership within North Carolina schools, business and industry, post-secondary institutions, and NCDPI to identify and recognize outstanding STEM schools and STEM programs. As a STEM School of Distinction, your school will join a network of the very best in STEM education across North Carolina that have demonstrated their ability to implement the quality characteristics rooted within the Five Overarching STEM Principles. Most importantly your school will demonstrate the characteristics of an educational community that actively and collaboratively works on behalf of students to prepare them for STEM-based careers of the future.
Can we pursue STEM Schools of Distinction designation without attending a workshop?
Yes! The workshop is designed to provide information and guidance by using the same information found in the progress rubric but is not a required part of the process. During the workshop, however, you will have the benefit of speaking with school leaders that have engaged with their educational community to be recognized as a STEM School of Distinction while you work alongside other school teams that are pursuing this same goal. Most importantly you will have planning time to take a deep dive into the major tenets of the progress rubric so you can create an action plan for when you return to your school. Attending a planning workshop does not in itself add value to an application for STEM School of Distinction recognition, it only provides the time and resources for you to create and add value to your application.
What happens at a planning workshop?
During a planning workshop, facilitators lead conversations around school change, STEM education and community engagement. This will include a deep dive into the STEM School Progress Rubric which is provided as a guide for whole school adoption of STEM-based instruction. Facilitators also model instructional strategies that can be shared with teachers when returning to your home school to help build a pathway for better understanding of STEM-based instruction. Most importantly each school team will have ample planning time to design a framework for engaging their school and community around STEM education.
What is the cost to attend the workshop?
Schools that apply for and are accepted for the SSoD planning workshop will have their onsite expenses - room and board - covered by NC School for the Deaf, our partner and host. The NC SMT Center and STEM East will cover costs for workshop facilitators and materials. Each school team will need to use school, district, or other funding sources to cover travel and/or substitutes if needed.
Who should I gather as a team to attend the SSoD workshop?
It is suggested that your team exists of three to five key school personnel that are familiar with the NC STEM Schools of Distinction Program and the STEM School Progress Rubric. Team members should be representative of school leadership and include a school administrator (required), a teacher, and an instructional support person (such as a STEM facilitator, instructional coach, or media specialist). The members should come prepared to design a framework for engaging their school staff and community to develop and implement their plan to become a STEM School of Distinction. This will be a whole school and community effort led by the planning team.
Our school is currently focused on the Science of Reading and LETRS Training. Is SSoD still a good fit for us?
As you know, LETRS addresses four critical outcomes for effective literacy instruction: understanding the science of reading, converting research to practice, enhancing teacher effectiveness, and transforming instruction (LETRS Overview Brochure). As your school engages in these important conversations about a common literacy framework it will be important for your SSoD planning team to include these understandings in the larger framework of STEM school reform. Beginning your planning for SSoD while teachers are involved in LETRS training will provide a greater opportunity to transition those practices into STEM instruction across your school. Literacy instruction should be the core of a common instructional framework around STEM teaching and learning.
The Science of Reading at NCDPI:
To register for the workshop use the button below.