planning

Jan 9, 2023

NC School Connectivity Analysis

All North Carolina students receive ample high-quality internet access at school. Our Technology Infrastructure Lab analyzed internet usage of all 115 school districts and over 100 charter schools in the state. 

Sep 8, 2021

Partnership with Local School District, Industry to Bring STEM Experiences and Opportunities to Rural Students

Dr. Tameshia Ballard Baldwin wants to provide rural students in Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS) with the same access to high-quality STEM educational opportunities as their peers throughout North Carolina. 

Jul 12, 2021

Friday Institute Publishes Initial Report on Rural Home Internet Access Pilot

An initial report of a pilot program to test emerging wireless technologies for rural areas finds no absolute solution to broadband challenges. 

Jun 28, 2021

The Fayetteville Observer: Elon Musk’s Starlink Service Helps Wrestlers, School kids with High-Speed Internet at Home

The Friday Institute is testing Starlink, plus two new ground-based wireless technologies, in remote parts of North Carolina to help school children who need internet access for school. 

Apr 22, 2021

Global Connections with Educators in China: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Executive Director Hiller A. Spires, Ph.D., built a bridge connecting North Carolina and China that has allowed students and educators from both countries to develop cross-cultural understandings and innovative approaches to learning. 

Apr 1, 2021

Unique Problems, Unique Solutions for Broadband Access in Eastern N.C.

Ray Zeisz, director of the Technology Infrastructure Lab at the Friday Institute, talks about broadband access for students in rural Eastern North Carolina and his work with Hyde County Schools to pilot a program of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service to improve access. 

Mar 4, 2021

New Satellite Internet Pilot Program to Connect Students in Two N.C. Counties

The North Carolina Department of Information Technology Broadband Infrastructure Office and the Friday Institute are leading a CARES Act-funded program that will assist two North Carolina school districts with implementing the “Satellite Internet Technologies for Student Connectivity Pilot,” which will allow students to access Space Exploration Technologies Corporation’s (SpaceX) Starlink internet service. 

Jan 4, 2021

Friday Institute Studying Emerging Wireless Broadband Technologies to Reduce Homework Gap in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is expanding its partnership with the Friday Institute with a new project to research, pilot and analyze emerging wireless technologies that can reduce the homework gap, particularly in rural areas. 

Nov 18, 2020

A Conversation with North Carolina State Superintendent-Elect Catherine Truitt

On Thursday, Nov. 12, Friday Institute Executive Director Hiller A. Spires, Ph.D., had a virtual conversation with Catherine Truitt about her upcoming role as North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction. See highlights from their conversation in this story. 

Jul 28, 2020

EdNC: Beyond Conversations: 6 Areas of Focus in Creating Inclusive Schools

Reporter Rupen Fofaria shares six examples of how educators can bring equity practices into schools based on his takeaways from the Friday Institute NC Conference for Educational Equity.