Fries-Gaither, Jessica: - Jessica Fries-Gaither is an experienced science educator and an award-winning author of books for students and teachers. Her 20-plus year teaching career spans elementary school through middle school science and math, three states, and Catholic, public, and independent schools. Additionally, she spent five years in the College of Education and Human Ecology, School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University where she directed NSF-funded projects and provided professional development for elementary and middle school teachers. Jessica is a reviewer for NSTA's elementary journal, Science and Children, and has served on several NSTA advisory boards. Jessica presents at local, regional, and national conferences and teaches preservice elementary science and social studies methods in Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education program. Jessica lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and dogs.