
Digging Into the New 5th Grade Science Standards
January 14, 2026 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Date: October 9, 2025 Day #1 (MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS) January 14, 2026 Day #2 (MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS) Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm Type: In-Person Location: WRESA 200 Ridgefield Ct, Suite 206 Asheville, NC 28806 Fee: $100 for both sessions - WRESA Members $150 for both sessions - Non-members **NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact LaDonna Sluder at lsluder@wresa.org or 828-774-5681 (ext 102) if you need to change the name of the person attending. CEUs: 10 Contact Hours Limit: 45 Participants Audience: 5th Grade Teachers and Coaches What to Bring: Your own device
Description:
Digging into the New 5th Grade Science Standards is a dynamic two-day experience designed to move beyond surface-level understanding and immerse teachers in the core ideas and practices of the new science standards. Participants will learn how Science and Engineering Practices can be lifted in their classrooms using phenomenon-based learning, student discourse, and the Ambitious Science Teaching Framework. This will be a two-day workshop with time between sessions.
Presenter:
Carla Billups has worked for over 34 years in elementary science education as a
teacher in Haywood County Schools and the Elementary STEM Coach for Buncombe
County Schools where she worked to implement and design curriculum for 24
elementary STEM labs. Prior to this work, she was an elementary Math and Science
teacher for 6 years of her 26 years as an elementary school teacher. Carla has also
been an adjunct instructor for Western Carolina University where she taught Elementary
Science Methods. She was an instructor for the ExxonMobil Teachers Academy for 14
years and for AIMS Education Foundation for 23 years. She served as the president of
the North Carolina Science Leadership Association and co-authored, the Fungus
Among Us, the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Scary made NSTA’s Outstanding
Science Trade book list in 2017. She has received the North Carolina SMT’s
Outstanding Instructional Leader Award, NCSLA’s Michael C. Jackson Distinguished
Service Award, and NCSTA’s Jo Duckett Wallace Elementary Distinguished Service
Award.
Jennifer Redfearn, Ed.D. joined the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of
Teaching in August of 2023 in the capacity of Senior STEM Specialist. In this role, she
supports teachers across the state of North Carolina with professional development and
curriculum development regarding the New North Carolina Science Standards. Before
joining NCCAT, Dr. Redfearn served with Guilford County Schools as a high school
science teacher and central office administrator. She was recently honored with the
Distinguished Service in Science Education in North Carolina Award from the North
Carolina Science Teachers Association, and the Education Award from the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., Greater
Greensboro Chapter. Redfearn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a
Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Biology Education, both from North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Curriculum
and Instruction, Secondary Education from Liberty University.
If you have additional questions, contact Candie Sellers at csellers@wresa.org