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N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative
High school students from the Horticultural Science Summer Institute learn to make soil sensors in the N.C. PSI Demo Lab.

K-12 Engagement

Seeding the Future of Plant Sciences

N.C. PSI provides a unique training ground for a new breed of problem solvers. Our focus is on training and deploying the next-generation workforce that will not only solve the challenges of the future but serve communities and economies that look vastly different from those of today. For K-12 students, this means building awareness of future workforce opportunities and generating excitement for the plant sciences.

We collaborate to provide educational opportunities to K-12 students across North Carolina.

K-12 Partnerships
Teacher Opportunities

Goals

  • Collaborate with high school educators to provide messaging and experiences to students, particularly in lower-income areas, that promote agricultural career opportunities
  • Work with K-12 administrators and teachers to develop and foster robust teacher training programs focused on longer-term research and learning activities
  • Develop program and best practices for N.C. PSI projects to integrate community and K-12 outreach into their research projects and grants
  • Collaborate with industry partners and existing university programs to facilitate K-12 engagement with N.C. PSI through the development of curriculum, educational programs and camps

N.C. PSI Demo Lab

Designed to showcase ongoing N.C. PSI research projects to the public and serves as a hands-on educational area for students, teachers, extension agents, and others groups.

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Demo Lab

K-12 Partnerships

education and workforce development

K-12 Events

Our 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. 

N.C. PSI graduate students teach high school students how to perform experiments in the Demo Lab.

K-12 Field Trips

The N.C. PSI is always excited to engage with middle and high school students, both in our Demo Lab and on tours of the Plant Sciences Building. We host school field trips year round for organizations such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), schools and more! We are also partnering with existing NC State camps to provide hands-on experiences in our demo lab and Makerspace that enhance existing camp curricula. 

High School Internships

The N.C. PSI has a pilot internship program to offer select high school students the opportunity to explore plant sciences during their junior and senior year of high school. 

Researchers use an iPad to monitor plants

Teacher Workshops

The N.C. PSI is currently hosting several workshops for NC K-12 educators. To learn more about these opportunities, please use our Education and Workforce Development Platform Contact Form. 

N.C. PSI at BugFest 2023

On September 16, 2023, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosted it’s annual BugFest. During this event the N.C. PSI engaged hundreds of students with “Bug Spray – The Plant Way!”, an activity about secondary metabolites.

N.C. PSI Table at BugFest 2023

K-12 Teacher Opportunities

Schedule a Class Visit

We are always excited to engage with K-12 students, both in our Demo Lab and for tours of the Plant Sciences Building. To schedule a class or group visit for your students, please complete this form, and our Program Manager will follow up with you directly. Typically student visits geared toward high school level students.

K-12 Activity Resources

Explore our K-12 lab protocols and learning materials to provide instruction for a variety of fun and educational activities for educators. Additionally, Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center within the N.C. PSI has activities and teacher resources as well.

Contact our Education Program Manager to learn more about our K-12 teacher opportunities.

News from N.C. PSI’s Education Platform

A woman and a man standing outside in front of the Plant Sciences Building

‘A Meaningful Impact’

Amid rising interest in the rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence, promising undergraduate and graduate students at NC State University are gaining experience in applying AI and data analytics in agriculture.… 
Three people making a presentation in front of a poster that says "Hackathon"

Creating Cutting-Edge Ag Tech

Nearly 50 NC State University undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars spent a fall weekend competing in the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative’s fourth annual Hackathon, taking on real-world agricultural technology… 
Four people standing in front of a USDA building

Grad Students Put Data Science Skills Into Action for Agriculture

For Neha Jagtap, a recent internship with leading national scientists proved to be a rewarding chance to gain experience solving a real-world agricultural challenge with knowledge she’s gained from computer…