partnership

2 students work on a STEM project in a classroom

Jun 1, 2025

2025 MSEN Day: Inspiring Future STEM Leaders

On April 26, 2025, 112 middle and high school students gathered at NC State’s Centennial Campus to compete in STEM-focused academic challenges during this year’s MSEN Day, hosted by the…

Two men work over a laptop, where one points to the screen guiding the other

May 22, 2025

NCDPI, Friday Institute, MCNC Highlight Scope of No-Cost Cybersecurity Resources and Services for the First Time During NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Bootcamp

The same day IT professionals across the state convened for a Public School Unit (PSU) Cybersecurity Bootcamp, North Carolina schools’ student data was under threat, with potential connections to last…

May 20, 2025

FLIP-STEM Interdisciplinary Hub Centers Student Experience, Agency through Rural Workshops

Over the past year, the members of the Fostering Learning, Identity, and Participation within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (FLIP-STEM) interdisciplinary hub have seen firsthand the way middle school students thrive when given agency over their learning.

May 7, 2025

In the Spotlight: Emily Thrasher, Research Scholar with the Friday Institute

For the In the Spotlight series, we feature one staff member on a regular basis. In this edition, we spotlight Emily Thrasher, a research scholar at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and part of the…

3 students sitting at a table working on an educational game

May 6, 2025

Friday Institute, Center for Educational Informatics and EngageAI Institute Collaborate to Advance AI in Education

By bridging immersive storytelling, real-time adaptive support and authentic science inquiry, the game-based platform EcoJourneys is engaging students in meaningful curiosity-driven learning experiences. As research and development continues, this project…

Apr 24, 2025

Catalyst Grant Empowers Rural Students, Enhances Computational Thinking Through STEAM Club

West Middle School sixth grader Olive Cleckler discovered an unexpected way to complete her interactive project—by turning her braces into part of a functioning circuit. Using a custom-designed platform called…

A group of people sit at a table having a conversation

Apr 22, 2025

NC State Puts AI Forward at the Friday Institute on National AI Literacy Day

National AI Literacy Day is a nationwide day of action focused on exploring the fundamental question, “What is AI?” On that day, March 28, 2025, 104 NC State University researchers,…

Mar 25, 2025

Friday Institute Joins Connect Everyone Coalition to Bridge Digital Divide

The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation has joined the Connect Everyone Coalition (CEC), a group of leaders committed to educating the public and policymakers on the important role of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity and how this technology can bridge the digital divide.

Maureen Stover, former Teacher of the Year and BEST NC Vice President of Policy & Engagement, facilitates a district panel discussion on the selection of Advanced Teachers.

Mar 19, 2025

North Carolina’s ATR Connecting Research & Practice Convening Strengthens Selection and Evaluation of Advanced Teachers

Education leaders, researchers and practitioners from across North Carolina gathered at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University Feb. 27-28 for the Advanced Teaching Roles (ATR) Convening.

A group of students hold up a trophy and envelopes with prize money in them.

Mar 17, 2025

Local Middle Schoolers Celebrate Black History During Knowledge Bowl

This American social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman was the most important leader of the movement for African American civil rights in the 19th century and the inspiration for Alpha…