News and Updates: Innovations in STEM Education Research

A study from NC State College of Education Professor and Friday Institute Senior Faculty Fellow Gail Jones and the Florida Museum of Natural History's Megan Ennes finds that when children have access to science tools at home, it can strengthen their interest and confidence in science.

This year’s Friday Institute Graduate Student Fellows are researching topics that focus on increasing equity in STEM education and educating students and families about wildlife science. 

The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation 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. 

A new book co-edited by Gail Jones, an Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor in the NC State College of Education and senior faculty fellow at the Friday Institute, is providing insights into science teacher education through a thorough review of research related to science teacher preparation, induction and career-long professional learning.

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

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor and Friday Institute Senior Faculty Fellow Gail Jones, Ph.D., is receiving the NARST 2022 Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award because of her contributions to the field of science education.

Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor and Friday Institute Senior Faculty Fellow 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.

Museum volunteer programs could be a potential avenue for recruiting high school students into science teaching and communication careers, according to a recent study supported by a Catalyst Grant from the Friday Institute and NC State College of Education.

Friday Institute researchers examined the influence of youth volunteer experiences on career aspirations through a lens of science identity, finding that museum volunteer programs with an explicit focus on communicating science to the public may be optimal places to cultivate the next generation of science educators and communicators.

Friday Institute Senior Faculty Fellow Dr. Gail Jones is working with students using virtual reality technology to learn and engage in science. Learn more about Dr. Jones in this staff spotlight video.