Updates and stories from the field spotlighting educational programs, experiences, and resources across DNCR sites.
This spring, Middle Creek High School students, led with vision and care by educator Matt Scialdone, joined with NC Freedom Park and DNCR’s Office of K-12 Education to host an extraordinary event: “Still We Speak: When History Speaks, We Listen.”
What unfolded was far more than a school project. It was a living, breathing tribute to the Black North Carolinians honored at NC Freedom Park, brought to life through the scholarship, creativity, music, and community of Wake County youth.
In this piece, teacher Darlene Morris reflects on her time as a participant in Rivers and Resistance: Freedom Seeking in Eastern NC | NC DNCR, an immersive, place-based workshop that explored acts of resistance, resilience, and survival of enslaved people across eastern NC.
In this piece, teacher Sarah Sisler-Flohr creatively reflects on her time as a participant in Rivers and Resistance: Freedom Seeking in Eastern NC | NC DNCR, an immersive, place-based workshop that explored acts of resistance, resilience, and survival of enslaved people.
On May 2nd, the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources hosted the North Carolina History Day State Contest at UNC Greensboro—a culmination of a year of research, creativity, and scholarship for students across the state. This year, 407 students presented 244 projects, representing 62 schools from 24 counties.
When I first started teaching, I wanted to create an environment that was lively, collaborative, an
Monarch butterflies have long held a special place in my heart. Since 2018, my family and I have cultivated a monarch pollinator garden, participated in tagging monarchs for the Monarch Watch program, and enjoyed watching Flight of the Butterflies. Visiting the El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary remains a dream on my bucket list! This passion naturally found its way into my classroom, where I introduce Monarchs as a cultural symbol during our Day of the Dead unit in Spanish class.
I recently read about the “point-and-call” method, a technique used in Japan where individuals physically point at something and call out its status. It’s a simple but powerful way to bring awareness to our surroundings and reduce errors. But beyond its practical use, it offers a metaphor for how we can live more intentionally.
“Point and call” reminds us to acknowledge what’s around us, to see clearly and act with purpose: to point at who we are and what we’ve done and call it out, so we all become more aware of the reality we share.
Place-based learning has become one of the most meaningful parts of my teaching because it allows students to experience history, geography, and cult
Our time at Gorges State Park took learning out of the classroom and into the beautiful mountains around us. The experiences and environment gave students of all learning levels and backgrounds a time to shine. - Stephanie Bell, Rosman Elementary School