
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.
Updates
-
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.
-
Cosmos Magazine: Put Science Tools on Santa’s List
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.
-
2022-2023 Catalyst Grant Winners Announced
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.
Selected Resources
Selected Projects
-
A Sense of Awe: A Tool for Enhancing Science InstructionThis project will investigate whether the inclusion of awe into science instruction can increase students’ interests and motivation in science.
-
Climate Change Instruction: Science Teachers’ Perspectives, Experiences and Instructional Visual DisplaysDealing with the global threat of climate change requires effective education about climate science and about climate change risks and solutions. In this study, the…
-
Families and Museums Exploring (FAME)By partnering with local museums, NC State is engaging families in STEM activities and encouraging students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Note: For information on the sharing of research data please contact the project PI Dr. Gail Jones.
-
Master Science Hobbyists: Characteristics, Motivations, Experiences and Career TrajectoriesThis project is examining the characteristics, motivations, in- and out-of-school experiences, informal science activities and career trajectories of citizen scientists and “master hobbyists.”
-
The Nano Innovation Student Challenge: Using Tiny Science to Solve Wicked ProblemsHelp scientists address the UN Sustainable Development Goals using nanotechnology in this student competition. Your idea might be the next great solution to providing people across the globe with clean water, better medicines or making solar energy more economical.
-
The Next Generation of Scientists, Science Communicators, and Science Educators: Youth Volunteers in Science CentersIn this collaborative project, researchers took a different approach than is traditionally used to address future science workforce needs by examining the intersection of youth volunteer work at museums and their future career aspirations.
-
zSpace STEM LabThe zSpace STEM Lab comes with a suite of science software and curriculum resources that offer learning experiences across grade levels through the sciences and STEM topics.