A teacher and student look at a screen while the student holds a pointer pen

Innovations in STEM Education Research

We are working to improve STEM education in formal and informal science settings and conducting research with students, families and educators. Our partners include schools, museums, science centers and research institutes.

How can families and museums help kids become scientists? NC State is working to find out by partnering with three museums–Marbles Kids Museum, the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences–to engage families in STEM activities and encourage students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Leveraging the Epistemic Emotion of Awe as a Pedagogical Tool to Teach Science

This study adds to the developing body of work around awe and science instruction, supports the findings from other fields related to the epistemic and self-transcendent nature of awe, and suggests that awe can be used to enhance science teaching and learning.

New Tools for Measuring Science Capital and Family Habitus:
Factors That Contribute to STEM Interests and Career Aspirations

This research is examining and documenting factors that have been shown to predict students’ task values (utility value related to engaging with science in the future). Studies are showing that factors related to science capital (Exposure to STEM Practitioners, STEM Experiences, and Tool Access) are key in shaping both students’ Science Achievement Value and their Perceptions of Family Task Achievement Value. Further, both Science Achievement Value and Perceptions of Family Science Achievement Value have a direct positive effect on youth Future Science Task Value.

Informal Science Education Teaching and Learning

ISER is researching teaching and learning science in informal settings such as museums, zoos, and gardens. They are documenting the factors that contribute to lifelong learning and the development of interests in science.

Teaching with Augmented and Virtual Reality

zSpace uses 3D, haptic enabled technology to allow students the opportunity to explore science concepts. This technology is transforming and accelerating STEM education, creating a ‘real world virtual reality created for education.’

Learn more

Quote graphic with image of Gail Jones with quote: "My hope is that my work is useful to teachers and informal educators as they teach the next generation about new innovations in science and technology."

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Gail Jones Named 2022 AERA Fellow

Gail Jones, an Alumni Distinguished Professor of Science Education in the NC State College of Education and senior faculty fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, has been named a 2022 AERA Fellow — the American Educational Research Association’s highest honor that recognizes exceptional research contributions to education.

Graphic with image of Gail Jones with the accompanying text, "I have a love for research, and I have been so fortunate to work in a university that values research and education."

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Gail Jones Selected to Receive NARST 2022 Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Gail Jones, Ph.D., has been selected to receive the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) 2022 Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award.

A student and a man in a suit talk in front of a computer server with lots of wires

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Gail Jones to Lead Education Research Component of NC State’s $25 Million Grant-funded STEPS Center

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Gail Jones, Ph.D., will receive more than $500,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation for her role as the leader of the education research component of the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center on NC State’s Centennial Campus.

Discovery Engineering in Physical Science

Discovery Engineering in Biology textbook

Engineering in the Living World

Extreme Science: From Nano to Galactic

Nanoscale Science

Handbook of Research on Science Teacher Education

October 16, 2023

Catalyst Grants Support Educators to Improve Instruction, Access and Advocacy

Since 2018, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and NC State’s College of Education have provided funding for more than 20 research projects through Catalyst Grants to support collaborative research projects…

June 14, 2023

2023-2024 Catalyst Grant Winners Announced

The Friday Institute and the NC State College of Education have awarded three Catalyst Grants that are designed to increase research collaborations between faculty and staff at both entities and seed collaborative, high-impact research that will lead to further inquiry and support.

April 25, 2023

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Gail Jones’ FAME Project Honored with Partnership Award from North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center

The Families and Museums Exploring (FAME) project, led by NC State College of Education Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor and Friday Institute Senior Faculty Fellow Gail Jones, has been recognized by the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center with a Partnership Award.

Gail Jones

Professor

919-515-4053

mgjones3@ncsu.edu

Kathleen Bordewieck

Graduate Student

kebordew@ncsu.edu

Kimberly Ideus

Student Worker, Enrolled@NCSU

klideus@ncsu.edu

Madeline Stallard

Graduate Student

msstalla@ncsu.edu

Rebecca Ward

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

rvcumbie@ncsu.edu