All Across North Carolina...

          Learning Happens Here.

We invite teachers, schools, and community partners to join us in this journey, as we empower the next generation of North Carolinians to thrive in a future shaped by innovative learning, place-based discovery, and meaningful connections to our shared history and culture. -Pamela B. Cashwell, Secretary of the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

Education has long been a cornerstone of the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR). For over 50 years, DNCR has sparked curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through a rich network of museums, parks, historic sites, aquariums, libraries, archives, the zoo, and other cultural institutions and programs. 

DNCR’s Office of K-12 Education & Outreach extends that commitment through our statewide Learning Happens Here initiative, which highlights and strengthens the educational impact of DNCR’s more than 100 sites and programs, while also providing cross-disciplinary programming, professional development, classroom resources, and more. 

In each of North Carolina's 100 counties, DNCR staff deliver high-quality K–12 events and programming that supports educators and expands access to meaningful place-based learning experiences for students. 

Through these efforts, DNCR: 

• Supports educators with year-round, content-rich professional development that empowers K–12 teachers with place-based learning and interdisciplinary classroom strategies. 
• Provides state, national and international field-based learning experiences for educators.
• Enhances classroom learning through in-person field trips, outreach visits, ready-to-use instructional materials, and children’s publications that bring North Carolina's history, culture, and natural wonders to life. 
• Expands access for rural students. With over one third of North Carolina's students living in rural communities, DNCR serves all 100 counties through field trip funding, educator support, classroom visits, and virtual learning. 
• Extends educational impact through acclaimed student programs such as North Carolina History Day, School of Rock Fish, Poetry Out Loud, and more.
• Offers digital exhibits, online collections, and virtual programming to enhance accessibility for all North Carolinians to our agency. 
• Offers engaging events, public programming, career explorations, and more.

The ultimate mission of DNCR’s Office of K-12 Education is to help every teacher and student develop a love for North Carolina, feel connected to the place they call home, and recognize themselves as an essential part of our state’s ongoing story.

Interested in learning more?

• Browse our K-12 Learning Happens Here Education Guide, which highlights the programs and support provided throughout DNCR’s sites and divisions to K-12 teachers and students in all 100 counties of the state.
• Read our current Learning Happens Here Monthly E-News (and sign up for future issues!)
• Explore the creative ways teachers are engaging with DNCR’s sites, programs and resources – in their own words – via our Notes from the Field blog.
• Visit our collective DNCR calendar of upcoming professional development opportunities.
• Join us for a community event by searching DNCR’s general public events calendar.
• Contact us at EducationOutreach@dncr.nc.gov. 
   

“…the sites and initiatives under the DNCR umbrella are not just willing, but eager to partner with teachers to support North Carolina students. I was consistently impressed with the quality, sincerity, and depth of expertise among all of the DNCR site managers, interpreters, and staff.” - Sara Walls, 2025 DNCR Teacher Ambassador (Durham County)