Distance Education and Extended Programs provides statewide outreach to improve mathematics and science education for students and teachers. Throughout the school year, but particularly in the summer when on-campus facilities are more readily available, Extended Programs sponsors teacher professional development workshops and special programs for students. NCSSM has a long and impressive history of grant awards to support these programs (see Partnerships).

Professional Development for Teachers

NCSSM is one of eleven North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (NC-MSEN) Centers that form a network across the state with a common purpose of strengthening K-12 science and mathematics education by improving the quality of teaching throughout North Carolina. NC-MSEN has created a series of professional development programs for teachers. These Statewide Institutes for Teaching Excellence (SITE) math and science courses are designed to focus on themes and issues that traverse the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

Student Programs

Labs for Learning

Labs for Learning is designed to serve high-potential students with enriched science and math experiences during a summer residential program and activities in their home districts during the school year. Twenty-four 7th grade students began the program in 2008 and when fully implemented this grant funded program will enroll 96 students in grades 7th-10th from six school districts in eastern North Carolina.

Summer Leadership and Research Experience

The Summer Leadership and Research Experience provides African-American, Hispanic and Native American males who have been accepted to NCSSM the opportunity to prepare for the NCSSM experience. The week-long residential experience is both an orientation program to the school and an introduction to research through a partnership with NCSU.

Summer Student Researchers

During the school year NCSSM offers a variety of research options for both juniors and seniors. During the summer break, juniors are encouraged to participate in additional research opportunities whether sponsored by NCSSM or by outside agencies or programs.

Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics

Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics is a four-week summer program, sponsored by the University of North Carolina (UNC) system and held on five of its campuses. NCSSM coordinates the SVSM program, but does not host the summer program on its campus. SVSM is open by application to all rising high school juniors and seniors. The program provides high-achieving North Carolina students with potential to excel in mathematics and science an opportunity to immerse themselves in investigative classes and research in a residential collaborative learning environment. Each student designs, conducts, and shares his/her own formal research project.

Summer Programs Hosted at NCSSM

NCSSM also hosts professional development and student programs conducted by external groups whose goals align with NCSSM's mission. These external groups include The New Schools Project, Wake AHEC, the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM), The Collaborative Project and Walltown Children's Theatre.