Ever wish you could take your students on a statewide adventure, exploring art galleries, walking historic battlegrounds, peering into a shark tank, basking in the sounds and stories of a symphony orchestra, or even handling real archaeological discoveries? The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) makes that possible.
Topics Related to Notes from the Field
Updates and stories from the field spotlighting educational programs, experiences, and resources across DNCR sites.
As a transplant from the lower Carolinas, I arrived at Bennett College for Women in 1989 as a young, impressionable future teacher. Now, with thirty years of educational experience, I proudly call this state home. And as an African-American woman, I want to see my reflection and my students’ identities reflected in my state's educational content and curriculum.
Field trips have the power to change lives. I know that’s a bold statement, but it’s true.
June marked an incredible start for the 2025 America 250 NC Freedom Fellows! sponsored by DNCR as part of our statewide leadership of the America 250 NC initiative and hosted in partnership with Carolina K-12.
Designed with school groups in mind, the North Carolina Zoo App enhances the educational experience of your students during your field trip to the North Carolina Zoo. The free app provides four self-guided learning experiences, which are available in both English and Spanish.
As schools settle into summer break and the pace of life slows down, there's no better time for North Carolina's educators to unwind, explore, and reconnect with the people and places that bring joy and inspiration. That's why the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Education and Outreach Team has put together a Summer Bucket List—filled with some of our favorite DNCR sites across the state! Whether you're trekking through mountain trails or dipping your paddle into coastal waters, these educator-tested favorites offer the perfect mix of fun, reflection, and discovery.
Nicole Ahn, 2025 DNCR Teacher Ambassadors and Arts Integration Specialist at Magellan Charter School, Raleigh
Imagine a school gym transformed into a wildlife gallery—68 vibrant papier-mâché animal heads crafted by fourth graders, each one the result of hands-on research and a trip to the North Carolina Zoo, one of the 100+ sites operated by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR.)
As a music teacher and practitioner of the Orff approach, I have often integrated literacy into my classes, using books as a starting point for musical creation. This practice allows my students not only to develop their creativity but also to strengthen their language skills while exploring sounds, rhythms, and movements inspired by literature.
If you've ever seen lines of school buses unloading in downtown Raleigh or watched hundreds of excited students winding their way through the city's most prominent sites, chances are you've seen the work of the Capital Area Visitor Services (CAVS) in action!
I was incredibly thankful for the opportunity to learn outside the classroom by attending a private panel discussion and screening of the new documentary, The American Revolution, with its creator Ken Burns.