Gail Jones is Alumni Distinguished Professor of STEM Education at NC State and a Senior Fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. Gail Jones currently teaches preservice and inservice teachers and conducts research on virtual reality, nanotechnology and nanoscale science education, and equity in STEM education. Dr. Jones currently co-directs a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program that engages middle and high school teachers in conducting cutting edge research. She also conducts research on innovative ways to engage families and youth in STEM experiences in partnership with museums. Other research Jones conducts examines science teacher career aspirations, awe as an instructional tool in science teaching, and factors that contribute to STEM career aspirations.

Dr. Jones’ research has been recognized for excellence by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, The NC Association of Research in Education, and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. Jones’ work has also been recognized with the National Technology Leadership Initiative (NTLI) Fellowship Award, The Educational Innovation for NC Science Mathematics and Technology Education Center Partnership Award, The Jackson Distinguished Service for Outstanding Science Education Leadership, NC Science Leadership Association, the Best Paper Award, American Education Research Association (AERA) Applied Research on Immersive Environments for Learning, The Distinguished Service in University/College Science Award, NC Science Teachers Association, the NCSU Alumni Outstanding Research Award, Outstanding Extension Award, the NCSU Graduate Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award, Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension, and the Research Leadership Academy.

Dr. Jones is the author of the first book (Nanoscale Science) on teaching nanoscale science for precollege education. She has also published a book on teaching science at large and small scales (Extreme Science) and this book received the Association of Educational Publishers Finalist Award for Science Curriculum. Jones has published over 200 papers on science education and currently serves as Co-Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Science Education.

Jones earned a B.S. degree and a M.A. in Biology from Appalachian State University, after which she taught Zoology at NC State University. She earned a PhD. in Science Education from NC State University. She served as Assistant and Associate Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill where she coordinated the middle grades education program before moving to NC State University as a Professor of Science Education.

At NC State, Jones works to improve education in schools locally and nationally and strives to support science teachers as they do the critical work to prepare the next generation of citizens and scientists.