APPENDIX F: Curriculum Enhancement and Career Awareness Assets
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) -- The North Carolina New Schools Project (NCNSP), in partnership with others in business, government, philanthropy and education, is developing a network of innovative high schools (currently 14) focused on STEM. Key strategies include strengthening instructional practices and building more effective, challenging curriculum that emphasizes connections across mathematics and science, heavily integrates technology, and engages students in the engineering design process. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded technical assistance to NCNSP through the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES), which coordinates an annual Student STEM Symposium to bring together teams of 2-4 students from each STEM school to present original research and projects. Visit:
Project Lead The Way® (PLTW) -- NC Project Lead The Way seeks to help NC schools provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to pursue careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology related fields. NC Through an engaging, hands-on curriculum that promotes STEM education, PLTW encourages the development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creative and innovative reasoning, and a love of learning. Thirty-two high schools in North Carolina currently offer the Pathways to Engineering curriculum. Visit:
FIRST(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) -- FIRST is a not-for-profit organization designed to engage young people in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills; that inspire innovation; and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. NC FIRST Robotics engages students in the creative ‘hands-on, minds-on’ process of technological innovation through the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). NC FIRST with NC STEM to promote their efforts and various robotics competitions held throughout the state. Visit: and
Future Factory --Future Factory is an exciting and entertaining educational game in which students take the role of a bright young college student recently placed in charge of an advanced manufacturing facility and asked to help serve the needs of the world energy crisis. The goal of Future Factory is to reach students in North Carolina and spark their interest in Advanced Manufacturing education and careers. Visit:
Manufacturing Makes It Real Bus Tour – The week of September 27 to October 1, 2010, was proclaimed “manufacturing Makes It Real” week by Governor Beverly Perdue. A weeklong bus tour traveled the state to recognize the state’s manufacturers, their products and their employees. The tractor-trailer traveling museum of products “made real” in North Carolina is produced by the Industrial Extension Service (IES), which is part of the college of Engineering at NC State. Visit: