The N.C. PSI Annual Plant Science Outreach Day provides high school students from across North Carolina with the opportunity to explore the interdisciplinary field of plant science through hands-on activities and discussions with leaders in the field. This event is hosted in partnership with the NC State College Advising Corps, TRIO and Juntos.
This all-day event includes hands-on demos, lab tours, industry panels and conversations with current students at NC State, with the goal to get high school students excited about the academic possibilities in college and open their eyes to entirely new disciplines.
Goals and Objectives
- Increase students’ exposure to STEAM academic and career pathways
- Expand knowledge about the postsecondary pathways available to students and how to better prepare students for those pathways
- Provide professional development and resources to NC science educators and elevate future teachers entering education
- Integrate family participation in science engagement and understanding of college pathways
- Deepen NC State’s presence in communities across the state
- Identify opportunities for systemic impact in STEAM engagement across the state.
2025 Plant Science Outreach Day
The Plant Sciences Building at NC State hummed with activity on January 25th as close to 100 high schoolers from across the state joined us for hands-on activities and chances to learn from leaders in the field of plant science!
Programing
This day-long, immersive event includes activities aimed at highlighting different academic fields in plant sciences, showcasing the research and facilities at the N.C. PSI, and facilitating interaction between students and faculty and staff volunteers. Students rotate through different activities that demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of problems. These hands-on activities change each year, but include performing experiments in a lab, discussions with current NC State students, and industry panels.
Furthermore, students and parents have the opportunity to connect with undergraduate admissions and community colleges to discuss admissions requirements, transfer pathways, and academic programs.
Family Programming
In 2025, we introduced a new element to our annual outreach event – family participation and community engagement. Families of student participants have the opportunity to engage in programming to learn more about postsecondary pathways, supporting students through admissions and financial aid processes, and resources available to students on a postsecondary campus.
