Watson Chronicle

For more than 45 years, MarineQuest has inspired students to explore North Carolina’s coast. This summer, more than 1,000 K–12 students participated in 30 hands-on programs featuring snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, oyster hatchery exploration and marine ecosystem investigations.

STEM SENC brought together 70 K–5 math teachers for the 2026 BWF Math Connect Summit. Supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the hands-on professional learning experience focused on Singapore Math strategies teachers can take straight to their classrooms.

CESTEM welcomed 120 PK–12 educators to SOAR into STEM this summer. Sponsored by the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center, the day featured hands-on learning, collaboration and networking designed to inspire stronger STEM teaching across the region.

Andy Ryder delivered the keynote at Student Affairs Ireland’s annual conference. His address, “From Competencies to a Culture of Self-Care,” celebrated the launch of SAI’s new professional competencies framework — a project he helped develop during its earliest stages.

IBEC senior Lily Atwill and teacher Kitt Starnes represented Team North Carolina at National History Day’s Young People’s Continental Congress. In Philadelphia, they joined teams from across the country to explore history and sign a shared declaration for the future of American democracy.

Twelve WCE students traveled to Paris in May for a study abroad experience with Laura Szech and Courtney Townsend. They taught English at a local elementary school, visited Sorbonne University’s INSPÉ and explored the city through museums, a Seine cruise, the Eiffel Tower and even a pastry class.

In June, 11 travelers explored schools, culture, and refugee and immigrant experiences in Amsterdam, Apeldoorn and Rotterdam with Denise Ousley and Amy Garrett Dikkers. The group included undergraduate and graduate students, teachers and a school principal. Next trip: May 2027. Email Dr. Ousley or Garrett Dikkers to learn more.

The 2026 Junior Seahawk Summer Academy gave middle school students hands-on opportunities to explore careers in healthcare, engineering, education and marine biology. Across two summer sessions, students also enjoyed creative activities, movement and martial arts while making new connections.

Watson hosted a special Junior Seahawk Summer camp for middle schoolers at D.C. Virgo. Students explored engineering careers with GE, learned about UNCW’s recycling efforts, took part in Corning’s STEM activities, and dove into robotics and coding. A summer of discovery, creativity and connection!