Applications are closed for the 2026-2027 school year

Applications will open for the 2027-2028 school year in May 2027.

Who is eligible?

  •  Available for all grade levels, Pre-K through 12th grade.
  • Classroom teachers and school educators in select NC counties.

Project EXPLORE: Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education, will engage students at their schoolyard in two free, environmental educator-led science programs based on current science curriculum standards. Students will be engaged in ongoing data collection at their schoolyard, and will be invited to present their research.

Benefits to Teachers Admitted to Project EXPLORE include:

  • A stipend of $100 toward the cost of materials and equipment for their chosen project;
  • Loan of additional science education equipment for student use; After two years participation teachers will be awarded a set of classroom binoculars or hand lenses and datasheets to keep;
  • A total of two guided lessons at the teacher’s schoolyard led by a Project EXPLORE Coach to aid in facilitation of a community science project;
  • A winter check-in visit from a Project EXPLORE Coach to go outside and collect data with you and your students to help answer any questions that may arise; and
  • A certificate after 2 years participating in Project EXPLORE

Teachers will be committing to taking their students outside for at least 15 minutes a week to collect data and reporting data collected back to the Project EXPLORE Coach. Programs will focus on providing information on the local flora and fauna of our region, understanding of scientific inquiry, collection of natural science data, and submission of data to professional scientists for review and interpretation.

Applications are closed for the 2026-2027 school year.

 Applications for the 2027-2028 school year will open in May 2027. Please reach out to projectexplore@ncarboretum.org with any questions.