EXTRACURRICULARS

Participation in extracurricular activities is a key component of the NCSSM experience. These activities help students develop essential life skills like leadership, time management, and teamwork. By engaging in student-led endeavors and community outreach efforts, students foster a strong sense of belonging and gain invaluable opportunities to explore interests, discover new passions and apply their scientific knowledge in practical ways.

Student-Driven Forums

NCSSM forums are led by ambitious students who have a strong interest in a STEM-related topic. Forums are seminars where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged under the guidance of a faculty member. Examples of past forums facilitated by faculty in the Science Department include Cardiac Arrest Prevention Efforts, Insects and Arachnids of NC, and Science Communication.

Student Research Journals

Broad Street Scientific and The Morganton Scientific are NCSSM's official student STEM journals for both campuses. The journals showcase research projects conducted by students in the residential and online programs. Students submit their work and even get involved as editors. These journals are an excellent way for students to disseminate their research findings and gain exposure to scientific writing and editing.

TEDxYouth@NCSSM

TEDxYouth@NCSSM is open to all to participate and stretch your minds and learn beyond what one can expect. TEDx brings the spirit of TED’s overall mission to local communities through TEDx events. NCSSM was the first high school in North Carolina to organize a TEDx conference.

NC Science Festival

NCSSM participates in the NC Science Festival by hosting events on both campuses. Lean In, Women in Science (DUR) is an annual event that connects high school students with successful women in STEM fields. The event features a panel discussion with female STEM leaders and a dinner where attendees can have informal conversations with the panelists. It aims to inspire students by showcasing career paths, challenges, and successes of women in STEM fields. Environmental Field Day (MOR) is a community event where NCSSM-Morganton and Patton High School students create presentations and activities to engage Burke County fifth-graders in environmental science. These activities are aligned with the End-of-Grade (EOG) fifth grade science test.

Pollinator Gardens

NCSSM has established native pollinator gardens on its Durham and Morganton campuses to serve as outdoor teaching laboratories and to support local ecosystems. These gardens feature native plants and are used for hands-on learning in life science courses, with students and faculty conducting pollinator surveys and submitting data to projects like the Great Southeast Pollinator Census and iNaturalist.

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