STEM STARS Students
Happy New Year from STEM outreach! We wanted to share with you all the wonderful things that our STEM STARS have been working on since we have had to adjust to COVID gathering restrictions and have not been able to engage with the community “in person”. Our STEM STARS normally get the opportunity to engage with the community through outreach events such as Family STEM nights at local schools and larger events such as the Lights On Afterschool celebration we host here at UNO each October. Unfortunately, like most organizations, we have had to reimagine the ways we can help bring STEM to the community.
The STEM STARS have been busy working on various projects to bring STEM learning to students without actually being there. First, they have created many elementary-focused STEM bins which are basically “STEM-in-a-box” activities with instructions for both students and teachers that align to NE state science standards. These activities can be included in the classroom or done at home and typically require only household items. The STEM STARS have also been working on creating lessons based on free, STEM-centric websites and apps aligned with NE state science standards that include both teacher and student instructions so that anyone can do them from home or the classroom. Finally, the STEM STARS were able to facilitate STEM activities through a partnership with Do Space where we facilitated some of their “Do Space Afterschool Club” sessions.
This coming semester will bring additional opportunities to facilitate more of these sessions and we are very excited! We will continue to work on the STEM Bins and virtual activities as well as develop some virtual tours of local sites around the Metro area as well. If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions on ways we can bring STEM to our community, please feel free to contact Tracie Reding, STEM Education and Outreach Coordinator at treding@unomaha.edu. Have a great semester!