STEM News

The foundation of the STEM TRAIL Center (STC) has always been collaboration. It was the very collaborative efforts, ongoing dynamic team-based activities across campus, and interdisciplinary approaches to complex problems that have helped to focus the idea for the Center and to increasingly expand the joint STEM research across the Nebraska University system. This efforts aim to elevate the overall research profile of Nebraska, expand the opportunities for all students to participate in research experiences, and to prepare and expand the workforce via experiential learning.

A core goal for the Center within this context of wider NU collaboration was to leverage existing expertise across NU, build out strong teams that personify the values of NU, and reach for the sky on external funding proposals. In the 15 months of operation, the STC has submitted collaborative grants with every NU campus. Not only has this process allowed for the expansion of talent and teamwork, but it also aims to improve our recruitment of students, retention of students, and expand upon the workforce within Nebraska.

UNO Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sacha E. Kopp conveyed this very sentiment in his remarks about the initiatives, “It’s hard to over-state the impact that collaboration can bring to our students, faculty, and staff in fostering the research mission at UNO. This work of the STEM TRAIL Center and its collaborations across the NU System will expand to include community partners across the state. We aim to contribute to workforce development in a meaningful way, and these projects are making it happen.”

"The collaborative efforts between UNO and UNK has brought a highly engaging kinesthetic STEM program for out of school time geared towards elementary and middle school students. The positive impact of the program is found with students in the K-6 setting, but also who attend UNK. Undergraduates have gained insight into STEM, and the opportunity teach cross-disciplinary lessons. The connection between departments (UNO-Biology, and UNK-Kinesiology and Sport Sciences) across campuses in the University system illustrates the ability for faculty to communicate, work together, and provide meaningful programming."-Dr. Megan Adkins, UNK, Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Sport Sciences Department, Health and Physical Education Program Chair

"As we continue to innovate around education, during COVID and during non-pandemic times, we are proud of the strong partnership amongst our campuses that support learners everywhere. Through the uBEATS and STRIVE projects, we are building activities, processes, and products that will support teachers and STEM learners well into the future.”-Dele Davis, M.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UNMC

“We are pleased to work with colleagues at UNO to advance STEM education. We aim to continue building the next generation of STEM teachers, STEM researchers, and STEM innovators. The collaborative approaches of bringing together faculty and staff with complementary skillsets allows us to effectively leverage our resources to compete for the next decade of projects to enhance life in Nebraska and beyond."-Jim Lewis, Director, UNL Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education

And as we transition to Bioscience month in October, we can’t forget the new technologies that result from these robust collaborations: “I am thrilled to see how the STEM TRAIL Center is supporting ongoing collaborations amongst the great researchers of Nebraska, where the collaborative spirit is alive and well. Thanks to this comprehensive strategy of engagement across the NU campuses, I expect these partnerships will be a major boost to extramural funding in STEM. As a bonus, this work will ultimately help build the STEM workforce of Nebraska, thereby bringing in cutting-edge technologies to our state and a more robust economy.” - Kenneth W. Bayles, Ph.D., UNO, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, and Creative Activity, Office of Research and Creative Activity