Access to Exceptionally Cool Stuff
Looking for educational experiences from IS&T, but your student isn't college-age? From iSTEM after-school programs, exciting summer camps, and engaging high school internships, we have opportunities to get engaged and learn.
NextGen AI Studio | Summer 2026
Turn Your Ideas into Reality this Summer at Omaha's Most Hands-On AI Summer Program
The NextGen AI Studio: From Learners to Creators is designed to introduce artificial intelligence concepts to students in high school through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Our curriculum makes complex AI concepts accessible and relevant to young learners, preparing them for a future where AI literacy will be as essential as digital literacy is today.
Through a combination of creative projects, collaborative challenges, and expert guidance, students will develop computational thinking skills, understand AI fundamentals, and explore the ethical implications of these powerful technologies. Our approach emphasizes learning by doing, with students creating their own AI-powered applications and solutions.
Program overview:
- Who: High school students who want to innovate and are at least 16 years of age
- When: 6 weeks | June 1–July 10, 2026 (break for July 4th weekend!)
- Times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Where: UNO's Peter Kiewit Institute for the in-person option
- Format: Hybrid (online or in-person)
- Cost: $250/week ($1,500 total) with three flexible payment plans
Limited financial aid is available to applicants. Apply by February 22, 2026. for priority consideration for financial aid.
How to Apply
Click here to Learn more about the program
For questions, please contact: Alexis Sherman at alexissherman@unomaha.edu or Anita Lee at anitalee@unomaha.edu.
IT Innovation Cup
Bringing together the thrill of competition with hands-on educational activities, the annual IT Innovation Cup engages Nebraska and Iowa schools to create an innovative IT solution to today’s most pressing societal problems.
Established in 2012, the IT Innovation Cup presents a yearly challenge to high school teams in which teams must bring together a wide range of skills and expertise. The IT Innovation Cup pairs high school teams with IS&T mentors, campus resources, and networking opportunities with area IT companies and sponsors.
The IT Innovation Cup runs from the fall semester, starting in September, until April the following spring semester each year.
Nullify's High School Capture the Flag Competition
High school students are given the opportunity to flex their cybersecurity prowess as teams compete for the top prize. From across the metro area, high school teams come to IS&T and hack their way to the top spot in a fast-paced competition that truly shows students what working in cybersecurity is all about.
NULLify Capture the Flag 2020
iSTEM Out-of-School Time
Bringing iSTEM to every student. Out-of-school time programs and immersion experiences at IS&T, Techademy+ takes our Techademy classes and integrates them throughout the school year. We introduce students to concepts like Scratch programming or App Inventor – programs where they make cool stuff, and can practice on their own time. iSTEM programs run the duration of the school year at its participating schools.
Interested in starting an iSTEM Out-of-School-Time workshop at your school? Contact Dr. Deepak Khazanchi at khazanchi@unomaha.edu who is the principal investigotor for the grants that support this program.
Dual Enrollment
UNO’s Dual Enrollment program allows talented students to earn college credit while still in high school. College-bound students can get a jump on their degree and maximize their time in advanced high school classes. Dual enrollment can also provide enhanced curriculum opportunities that help students remain engaged in their junior and senior years of high school and help prepare for college-level work.
The College of IS&T currently offers its dual enrollment program in 21 different schools across Nebraska. In 2022-2023, a total of 622 students were enrolled in these courses.
Courses that are currently offered by IS&T for dual enrollment include: CSCI 1200 Computer Science Principles, CYBR 1100 Introduction to Information Security, CIST 1400 — Introduction to Computer Science I, and CIST 2500 — Introduction to Applied Statistics for IS&T.
Learn more about UNO’s dual enrollment program.
Early Entry Program
Currently enrolled high school students may apply to take undergraduate courses at IS&T concurrently with their high school program by enrolling through the UNO Early Entry Program.
Enrollment requires the recommendation of their high school counselor and demonstration high academic achievement.
Learn more about the Early Entry Program.
Computer Science Education Week 2023
High School Computer Science Quiz Bowl
National Computer Science Education Week kicks off a series of events and celebrations at IS&T, commemorating Grace Hopper. Events include the annual High School Computer Science Quiz Bowl and Programming Challenge, CS Ed Week Breakfast, Hour of Code, and student research presentations, The week is inspired by the achievements of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, a computer scientist and United States Navy Rear Admiral. The event takes place the first week of December.