The goal of the Duke Energy Science Night (DESN) program is to generate enthusiasm among students and families for science and technology by giving them a chance to explore science together through hands-on activities. Thanks to funding from the Duke Energy Foundation, the NC Science Festival is able to develop the resources and provide guidance to schools across the state that in turn provide the leadership, volunteers, and venue to make their Science Night a success!
The NC Science Festival has produced DESN activity kits for the 2021 Festival. The kit includes a planning guide, hands-on activities (with guides and instruction sheets), and the materials needed for 200 participants to perform the activities. The activities provided cover a range of science, technology, engineering, and math topics and are designed to be engaging, hands-on, and just plain fun. Due to COVID-19, we recognize that it may not be safe to hold an in-person event. The 2021 activities have been designed to give you the flexibility to adapt to the operating plans that are in effect at your school in April.
Schools that did not purchase or receive a subsidized DESN kit can still use the resources below - you'll just need to provide the materials to perform the activities.
Duke Energy Science Night resources (English, PDF)
- Program Welcome Letter
- Planning Guide
- Activity Guides
- Instruction Sheets
- Table Cards
- Materials List (note these items are included in purchased and subsidized DESN kits)
Spanish translations (spanish, PDF)
Announcement Templates (English and Spanish, Word documents)
- Notice for school website, newsletter, flyer, etc - English
- Notice for school website, newsletter, flyer, etc - Spanish
Additional resources (English, PDF)
- 2021 Activities List - including grades and NC Standard information
- Activity and Resource - Overview Presentation
- Citizen Scientist Handout
- Computer Vision - Activity Guide and Instruction Sheet
- Computer Vision - Teachable Machine Website
- Galilean Cannon - Activity Guide and Instruction Sheet
- Galilean Cannon - NCSciFest World Guinness Record Video
- Kelvin - Coloring Page
- Kelvin - Flat Kelvin
- Kelvin Logo - Not wearing mask
- Kelvin Logo - Wearing mask
- Kelvin - Meet Kelvin Page
- Microscope - Activity Guide and Instruction Sheet
- Microscope - Connection Instructions
- Microscope - Photo Contest Details and Submission Form
- NC Science Festival Promotional Flyer
- UNC TV Promotional Flyer
- Webinar Recording - Welcome (Oct)
- Webinar Recording - Distance Learning (Nov)
- Webinar Recording - Activity and Resource Overview (Jan) - Access passcode 2TC&Nt^C
- Webinar Presentation - Activity and Resource Overview (Jan)
- Webinar Recording - Microscope Overview (Feb)
- Webinar Presentation - Microscope Overview (Feb)
- Webinar Recording - Galilean Cannon and Computer Vision Overview (Mar)
- Webinar Presentation - Galilean Cannon and Computer Vision Overview (Mar)
- Webinar Recording - Post DESN Review and Discussion (May)
- May Webinar Extra Activities - Puff Mobile, Gravity Painting, Ice Cream in a Bag