Dinosaur workshops and programs for early childhood

Calling all early childhood educators with dinosaur-loving students!

On November 17, 2020, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences announced the acquisition of the incredibly unique Dueling Dinosaurs fossils and the plans for a major expansion of the Museum to create the SECU DinoLab. To bring this excitement to the families of North Carolina, the PNC Foundation is supporting the Museum’s Dinosaurs: A Gateway to Early Childhood Science Discovery initiative.

We invite you and your students to participate with us!

• Attend a free virtual professional development workshop on February 2, 4, or 11, 2021 to learn how to capture young children’s excitement about the latest dinosaur discoveries to spark a love of science learning. Eligible teachers will receive $100 of dinosaur-themed science, math and literacy materials for your classroom! 
• Book a museum experience for your students. We offer virtual dinosaur programs for 3-5 year olds. Eligible classrooms can partner with the Museum for a free three-part dinosaur experience:
  • A virtual dinosaur program with $50 of dinosaur-themed materials for your classroom
  • A virtual classroom visit by our Paleontologist-in-Training
  • An optional in-person Family Museum Visit Day, when families who come to the Museum in downtown Raleigh or to NCMNS Whiteville will receive dinosaur-themed goodies to enhance their visit plus $15 in gas gift cards.
• Help us identify eligible students for a full scholarship to the in-person Digging Up Dinosaurs Summer Camp sessions in downtown Raleigh. Eligible students are rising Kindergarteners from low to moderate income families who can attend camp in person in Raleigh. Flyer is attached – please share!  Applications open January 4, 2021 and close January 27,2021.

Eligibility

Any early childhood educator may participate in workshops or book a program, but those who meet the following eligibility requirements and participate fully will also receive materials for their classrooms and their students’ families:

• Primarily teach preschool children ages 3 to 5 years old
• Over 51% of your students must be from low to moderate income (LMI) families. The LMI household income limit varies by county:
  • Wake and Johnston: $67,445
  • Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, and Wayne: $42,540
  • Orange, Durham, and Chatham: $62,960
  • Columbus and Robeson: $41,840
  • Cumberland and Pender: $42,240
  • Bladen: $25,900
  • Pitt: $49,120

If you teach in another NC county, please contact jan.weems@naturalsciences.org for details.

Please share this with your professional networks statewide! And if you have any questions or would like more information on this initiative, please contact earlychildhood@naturalsciences.org.