UNO Opens Doors to New STEM TRAIL Center, Expanding Opportunities for Innovation and Education

Highlights

• UNO unveiled its 8,400-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Roskens Hall, designed to foster innovative STEM education and research, offering cutting-edge classrooms and spaces for students and the community.
• U.S. Representative Don Bacon highlighted the federal-funded ONE STEM initiative, aimed at diversifying and expanding Nebraska’s STEM workforce through hands-on learning opportunities and community partnerships.
• Omaha-based artist Lee Emma Running contributed commissioned murals to the center, blending art with STEM themes to inspire creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration within the space.

On Friday, August 29, 2024, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Teaching, Research and Inquiry-Based Learning (STEM TRAIL) Center, housed within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS).

The open house featured remarks from several key figures, including Chris Moore, Ph.D., director of the STEM TRAIL Center, UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, U.S. Representative Don Bacon, and Omaha-based artist Lee Emma Running, who contributed commissioned artworks to the space.

Moore kicked off the ceremony, highlighting the center’s mission to elevate human potential through innovative STEM education. He emphasized how the newly redesigned 8,400-square-foot lower level of Roskens Hall, which was previously a series of lecture halls and computer labs, now features cutting-edge classrooms, staff spaces, and flexible research and event areas. Moore noted the center’s role as a hub for educational innovation, stating that it will not only serve UNO students but also the broader Omaha community through initiatives like the Aim for the Stars summer camps and professional development workshops for area teachers.

Chancellor Li followed, celebrating the collaborative spirit that the STEM TRAIL Center embodies. She described the renovation as a strategic investment in Nebraska's future, a space where students will be equipped with the skills needed for high-demand STEM careers. Li also emphasized the broader impact of the STEM TRAIL Center’s programs, which aim to diversify and expand the STEM workforce through hands-on learning and community engagement.

"Thank you to our colleagues for their hard work, commitment, and unwavering belief in educating learners—from 3rd grade all the way to 80 years old. This space will forever change our community and the trajectory of many young learners, and anyone who wants to come to UNO and call it home,” said Li. “Our deans, along with many of our professors, gathered countless times throughout their careers asking, 'What if we can do this?' Today, that 'what if' is a reality. We intend to extend this reality to many more families. Most importantly, we want all our students to know: You are home. We are here for you."

U.S. Rep. Bacon, who supported the ONE STEM initiative through federal funding, also addressed the crowd. He applauded the center’s potential to drive workforce development, noting that the initiative will prepare a more diverse group of students for high-skill, high-wage jobs across the state. Bacon emphasized that the success of this program will have a ripple effect, benefiting both students and Nebraska’s economy.

“UNO plays such an important part in so many families in this community,” said Bacon. We have a great work ethic here. We want to learn and make things better for our community."

Artist Lee Emma Running concluded the remarks by speaking about her commissioned murals that adorn the new space. Her artwork, inspired by themes of scientific discovery and Nebraska’s natural environment, adds a creative dimension to the STEM TRAIL Center, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the research and learning that will take place there.

The newly opened STEM TRAIL Center is part of UNO’s broader ONE STEM initiative, which is dedicated to building a diverse and highly skilled STEM workforce in Nebraska. With innovative programming and a commitment to educational excellence, the center is poised to make a lasting impact on both students and the community, advancing UNO’s mission of fostering social mobility and creating future leaders in STEM fields.