{"id":42995,"date":"2024-04-17T13:45:49","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T17:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/?page_id=42995"},"modified":"2026-05-30T10:02:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T14:02:51","slug":"k-12-engagement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/education\/k-12-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"K-12 Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We collaborate to provide educational opportunities to K-12 students across North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\">Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Collaborate with high school educators to provide messaging and experiences to students, particularly in lower-income areas, that promote agricultural career opportunities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work with K-12 administrators and teachers to develop and foster robust teacher training programs focused on longer-term research and learning activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop program and best practices for N.C. PSI projects to integrate community and K-12 outreach into their research projects and grants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\"><a href=\"#partnership\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"#partnership\"><span class=\"text\">K-12 Partnerships<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button\"><a href=\"#teacher\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"#teacher\"><span class=\"text\">Teacher Opportunities<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"partnership\">K-12 Partnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-featured-content ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-two-column\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n             <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-featured-content\"><a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/education\/k-12-engagement\/plant-science-outreach-day\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/education\/k-12-engagement\/plant-science-outreach-day\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1828\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-6758\" \n            alt=\"Staircase filled with young students\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-scaled.jpeg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-300x214.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-1024x731.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-768x549.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-1536x1097.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/02\/IMG_5142-1-min-2048x1463.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">K-12 Events<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">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&#160;State College Advising Corps, TRIO and Juntos. <\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\">Learn <span class=nowrap>more&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/scdinge2\/2025-2026-field-trips-psi\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/calendly.com\/scdinge2\/2025-2026-field-trips-psi\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-6393\" \n            alt=\"Three students confer about an experiment.\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-scaled.jpeg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/11\/IMG_2170-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">K-12 Field Trips<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative offers field trip opportunities during the school year to expose middle and high school students to novel research in agricultural sciences and to offer immersive lab experiences that connect hands-on learning with real-world application.  Field trip experiences at the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative are  limited to 25 students and are offered on Fridays from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. <\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\">Sign up for a Field <span class=nowrap>Trip&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/education\/demo-lab\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/education\/demo-lab\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"803\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-82211\" \n            alt=\"A highschool student in a lab coat and safety glasses injects a substance into a plant for a laboratory demonstration.\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/psi-9757-e1778255366890.jpg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/psi-9757-e1778255366890.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/psi-9757-e1778255366890-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/psi-9757-e1778255366890-768x411.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/psi-9757-e1778255366890-1024x548.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">N.C. PSI Demo Lab<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">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.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=nowrap>Explore&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image\">\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-518\" \n            alt=\"People using an iPad to monitor plants\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech.jpg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-950x535.jpg 950w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-460x259.jpg 460w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2019\/07\/plant-sciences-farm-tech-230x129.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Teacher Workshops<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">The N.C. PSI hosts workshops for NC K-12 educators. To learn more about these opportunities, contact our Education Program Manager: sarah_dinger@ncsu.edu.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-mini-story ncst-askew-media-text has-reynolds-400-background-color\"><div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\"><h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">North Carolina Youth Institute Reinforces a 4-H\u2019er\u2019s Desire to Help<\/h2><p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">Kira Wiguna was among 115 high school students who took part in the 2026 N.C. Youth Institute, which opened young people&#8217;s eyes to agriculture&#8217;s impact locally and globally, gave them greater exposure to innovative technologies and opened doors to further study. The N.C. PSI and some of its award-winning graduate students played key roles in creating an impactful, inspirational&nbsp;event.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button is-style-secondary\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ces.ncsu.edu\/news\/north-carolina-youth-institute-reinforces-a-4-hers-desire-to-help\/\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/www.ces.ncsu.edu\/news\/north-carolina-youth-institute-reinforces-a-4-hers-desire-to-help\/\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/NCYI_Kira_poster.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x900-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A North Carolina 4-H'er named Kira Wiguna points to a graph on her research poster\" class=\"wp-image-82222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/NCYI_Kira_poster.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x900-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/NCYI_Kira_poster.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x900-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/NCYI_Kira_poster.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x900-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/NCYI_Kira_poster.2e16d0ba.fill-1600x900-2.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-mini-story ncst-askew-media-text has-reynolds-400-background-color mirror-layout\"><div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\"><h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">Plant Sciences Outreach Day Broadens Horizons for High School Students<\/h2><p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">Over 100 North Carolina high school students gathered at NC&#160;State University on February 28, 2026 for the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative&#8217;s annual&nbsp;Plant Sciences Outreach Day,&nbsp;gaining hands-on experience with plants and plant science as they plan for the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button is-style-secondary\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/news\/plant-sciences-outreach-day-broadens-horizons-for-high-school-students\/?utm_source=CALS+Bulletin&amp;utm_campaign=02cf8c1816-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_07_09_07_09_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-93ecaa54cf-83017739\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/news\/plant-sciences-outreach-day-broadens-horizons-for-high-school-students\/?utm_source=CALS+Bulletin&amp;utm_campaign=02cf8c1816-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_07_09_07_09_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-93ecaa54cf-83017739\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/03\/microscope-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Student peering into a microscope\" class=\"wp-image-81225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/03\/microscope-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/03\/microscope-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/03\/microscope-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/03\/microscope.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-mini-story ncst-askew-media-text has-reynolds-400-background-color\"><div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\"><h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">Institute Cultivates Tomorrow\u2019s Food and Ag Leaders<\/h2><p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">At the North Carolina Youth Institute, teens gain research and communications skills to last a lifetime as they grapple with global food, agriculture and sustainability problems.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button is-style-secondary\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/institute-cultivates-tomorrows-food-and-ag-leaders\/\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/institute-cultivates-tomorrows-food-and-ag-leaders\/\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/05\/ncyi-group-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"2025 N.C. Youth Institute participants pose for a group photo outside the Plant Sciences Building.\" class=\"wp-image-78917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/05\/ncyi-group-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/05\/ncyi-group-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/05\/ncyi-group-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/05\/ncyi-group-1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-mini-story ncst-askew-media-text has-reynolds-400-background-color mirror-layout\"><div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\"><h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">Internship Nurtures Ideas for Science and Ag Education<\/h2><p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">Through the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, Johnston County schools\u2019 Justin Ingram spends three eye-opening summer weeks with the N.C. PSI.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button is-style-secondary\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/internship-nurtures-ideas-for-science-and-ag-education\/\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/internship-nurtures-ideas-for-science-and-ag-education\/\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/justin-ingram-and-sarah-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Two people smiling together\" class=\"wp-image-77182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/justin-ingram-and-sarah-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/justin-ingram-and-sarah-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/justin-ingram-and-sarah-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/justin-ingram-and-sarah.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"teacher\">K-12 Teacher Opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Schedule a Class Visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We are always excited to engage with K-12 students, both in our <a href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/education\/demo-lab\/\">Demo Lab<\/a> and for tours of the <a href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/psb\/\">Plant Sciences Building<\/a>. Field trip experiences at the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative are limited to 25 students and are offered on Fridays from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. To schedule a class or group visit for your students, please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/scdinge2\/2025-2026-field-trips-psi\">field trip calendar<\/a> to sign up for a Friday morning that works for your class, and a member of our team will confirm the date with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">K-12 Activity Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1_wGVMyTRLVXOTKagHVU4A2INngGrhdEP?usp=sharing\">Explore our K-12 lab protocols<\/a><\/strong> and learning materials to provide instruction for a variety of fun and educational activities for educators. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/steps-center.org\/outreach-activities\/\">Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center&nbsp;<\/a>within the N.C. PSI has activities and teacher resources as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact our <a href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/people\/sarah-dinger\/\">Education Program Manager<\/a> to learn more about our K-12 teacher opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-automated-posts ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-three-column\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n               <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__header\">\n                      <h2 class=\"ncst-labeled-section__heading\">News from N.C. PSI&#8217;s Education Platform<\/h2>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        <a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/news\/breeding-possibilities-for-better-crops\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/news\/breeding-possibilities-for-better-crops\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-82438\" \n            alt=\"Caitlin Kestell standing beside a scientific poster\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Kestell_6.jpg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Kestell_6.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Kestell_6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Kestell_6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Kestell_6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Breeding Possibilities for Better Crops<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">From a young age, Caitlin Kestell learned to work hard, help other people and never quit. Now a crop science graduate student and N.C. PSI award-winner, she&#8217;s putting a can-do attitude to work in research to benefit farmers and outreach efforts that inspire <span class=nowrap>students.&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/green-g-conference-explores-intersections-between-biology-and-engineering\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/green-g-conference-explores-intersections-between-biology-and-engineering\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-82425\" \n            alt=\"Students gather in a poster-filled hallway to to discuss research\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1.jpg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/Poster-Sessions-Slobada-Willis-2-scaled-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Conference Explores Intersection of Biology and Engineering<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">With N.C. PSI faculty playing key roles, the recent Green-G Conference brought together experts in disciplines ranging from electrical engineering to ecology to explore how cutting-edge biosensing, data science, imaging, signal processing and other technology can allow us to better observe natural processes and come up with practical concepts for telecommunications and data <span class=nowrap>management.&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/our-three-winners\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/our-three-winners\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-82280\" \n            alt=\"Sarah Dinger, Jie Pacelli and Lauren Maynard\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/three-winners-1.jpg\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/three-winners-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/three-winners-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/three-winners-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/three-winners-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Three from N.C. PSI Honored for Excellence<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">N.C. PSI staff members score awards for their work on behalf of team agriculture, with Sarah Dinger and Jie Pacelli honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Lauren Maynard by NC&#160;State Research and <span class=nowrap>Innovation.&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3114,"featured_media":0,"parent":548,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/split-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"reynolds_400\",\"imageID\":82209,\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2026\/05\/psi-8072-small.jpg\",\"pageIntro\":\"Seeding the Future of Plant Sciences\",\"useCTA\":false,\"boxPosition\":\"left\",\"ctaNum\":\"one\",\"focalPoint\":{\"x\":0.53,\"y\":0.44},\"imageAlt\":\"A group of kids and mentors pose as a group on the floor of a building at the Agroecology Farm.\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-42995","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42995"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82515,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42995\/revisions\/82515"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}