Her primary areas of interest are computer-based museum exhibit design, Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, complex systems simulations in education, participatory simulations, mobile technology, learning in informal environments, and computer support of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics learning goals. Lyons also serves as the director of Digital Learning at the New York Hall of Science, a hands-on science museum in Queens, NY. She has been published in Museums & Social Issues and other journals.