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UNO, Kiewit Luminarium Enter Agreement to Develop STEAM Educators in Omaha

The partnership aims to develop Omaha’s next generation of STEAM educators, offering hands-on learning, teacher pathways, and research opportunities to strengthen Nebraska’s STEAM workforce.

  • published: 2024/09/17
  • contact: Sam Peshek - UNO Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Exterior view of the Kiewit Luminarium on the Omaha Riverfront.

Exterior view of the Kiewit Luminarium on the Omaha Riverfront. (Photography by Dan Schwalm © 2024 HDR)

Highlights

  • The partnership is structured around three key initiatives that will focus on preparing future educators, enhancing STEAM learning experiences, and strengthening Nebraska’s STEAM workforce ecosystem.

  • UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA: “By working together, we aim to create a robust STEAM workforce pipeline that will equip our educators and students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead Nebraska into the future.”

  • Kiewit Luminarium Vice President of Partnerships Sirisha Sualy: “Our shared vision is to be a model of collaboration that will take hold across the state and nation to develop the next generation of educators and innovators.”


The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and Kiewit Luminarium have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at recruiting, developing, and retaining STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) educators in the Omaha area, the organizations announced today.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in strengthening Nebraska’s STEAM workforce pipeline by inspiring and equipping educators with the tools and experience they need to ignite student interest in these fields.

“This partnership between UNO and Kiewit Luminarium is uniquely positioned to inspire and develop Nebraska’s next generation of STEAM educators,” UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, said. “By working together, we aim to create a robust STEAM workforce pipeline that will equip our educators and students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead Nebraska into the future.”

Kiewit Luminarium, located along Omaha’s riverfront, is a hands-on learning hub designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Sirisha Sualy, Vice President of Partnerships at the Kiewit Luminarium, shared her excitement for the collaboration.

“Kiewit Luminarium is the ideal setting for this partnership,” Sualy said. “Our interactive exhibits and educational programming are designed to inspire young people to discover the magic of STEAM. Our shared vision is to be a model of collaboration that will take hold across the state and nation to develop the next generation of educators and innovators.”

The partnership is structured around three key initiatives that will focus on preparing future educators, enhancing STEAM learning experiences, and fostering collaboration between the two institutions:

  • Luminators: The Luminator Program, the Luminarium’s youth development program, is integral to the educational programming and community engagement at the science center. Through the partnership, UNO and the Luminarium will work to recruit students from UNO to participate in the Young Adult Luminator Program, where they will gain hands-on experience in both educational and non-educational roles. The program will also offer a unique pathway for qualified High School Luminators to transition into UNO’s teacher preparation programs, creating a direct pipeline from early STEAM engagement to a career in education.

  • Teacher Education: Through this partnership, daytime courses specifically focused on STEAM education will be conducted at Kiewit Luminarium, providing a dynamic and immersive learning environment for students in UNO’s Teacher Education program. The Luminarium will provide various opportunities for UNO students to access the science center, connecting them with invaluable resources and ways to enrich their educational journey.

  • Partnership Activities: Kiewit Luminarium will serve as a living laboratory for research, offering strategic opportunities for public engagement, data collection, and competitive funding proposals. Both organizations will collaborate on joint research initiatives aimed at enhancing STEAM education and broadening community outreach.

The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences will lead the partnership from UNO’s side of the agreement. Derrick Nero, an associate professor in CEHHS’s Teacher Education Department and a Kiewit Luminarium community advisor, will serve as the partnership coordinator between the organizations, facilitating ongoing planning, communication, and research activities.

“Memorable experiences in STEAM education are vital to fostering lifelong learning and STEAM literacy,” Nero said. “I’m excited to help bring these two institutions together in a way that will benefit both students and educators for years to come.”