Upcoming STEM TRAIL Center Events

Visit our calendar for a complete listing of all STEM TRAIL Center events or read our newsletter.  

Events By Month

• November 2020
• December 2020

November 2020  

Wednesday, Nov. 18

Professional Development for Undergraduates: "10+ Things You Can Do Now to Get a Job and Move Your Career Forward"

10-11 A.M. | Learn more and Register

Facilitator: Alaina G. Levine, President, Quantum Success Solutions, Author of "Networking for Nerds" 

Abstract: Whether you started career planning and job searching a year ago, a month ago or today, there are a few things you can do to get the ball rolling to land a job you enjoy. Number 1: Don’t Panic! It’s never too late to launch a thoughtful strategy designed to land you employment. Number 2: Know you are valuable in myriad industries and ecosystems. In this webinar, you will learn specific tasks you can do RIGHT NOW to get a job and advance in your career. You will emerge with a solid and strategic plan that you can adapt at any stage of your career, but is especially valuable for those who are about to graduate or finish their postdoc and haven’t lined up a position yet. And perhaps equally important, you will leave the webinar feeling more confident and excited about what your near (and far) future holds for you.

Friday, Nov. 20

DBER Seminar Speakers: "The Relationship Between Spatial Skills and Computing Science"

11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. | Learn more and Register

Facilitator: Jack Parkinson, Centre for Computing Science Education, School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow

Abstract: Spatial skills are a broad, often-misunderstood set of skills referring to the ability to parse representations of space, formulate them into internal, mental representations and typically perform some manipulation or operation on them. These skills have been associated with success in STEM domains for many years; Computing Science is no exception. The body of work in Computing Science looking closely at spatial skills is growing, but we still have quite a limited understanding of this relationship. This talk will briefly cover the nature of spatial skills, discuss the work which connects spatial skills with Computing Science and explore the potential impact of ongoing research for Computing students and possibly beyond.

December 2020

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Visualizing Project Timelines with Gantt Charts

10-11 A.M. | Learn more and Register

Facilitator: Heather Leas, Grant Coordinator for STEM Education Grants, UNO STEM TRAIL Center

Abstract: The end of the semester/year is a great time to get organized for 2021 and beyond! In this timely presentation, you will learn some simple tools and tips for transforming project timelines into visual form using widely accessible programs and functions (i.e. Excel). Gantt charts are a small way of making a big impact whether you are developing a grant proposal (pre-award), implementing a project management timeline (post-award), or just want to stay on track with team/personal/professional goals. You will learn important factors to consider when developing Gantt charts, as well as practical knowledge for incorporating & implementing your charts effectively. Several basic examples will be reviewed and you will have the option to follow along with some interactive templates in real time, so split desktops and/or second screens are encouraged but not required. (Note: We also recommend ensuring that your Zoom platform is up to date.)

Friday, Dec. 4

Teaching Practices Workshop: "STEM Education During a Pandemic: Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned at IS&T"

11 A.M. - 12 P.M. | Learn more and Register

Facilitator: Peter Wolcott, Ph.D.

Abstract: A panel of faculty from the College of IS&T will discuss their experiences in STEM education during the pandemic. These faculty reflect a variety of experiences, course levels and pedagogies, including service learning, labs, active learning, real-time and synchronous modes, and face-to-face.

About the STEM TRAIL Center

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Teaching, Research, and Inquiry-based Learning (TRAIL) Center is housed at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

As an administrative unit, it provides resources and materials to undergraduates, graduates, and faculty members at UNO and lifelong learners (reaching K-12 and adult learners) beyond. The Center does not control any curricula, as it is not an academic unit, but it does serve as a catalyst for course innovations as center affiliates work through colleges to study and implement curricular change.

The STEM TRAIL Center supports the community as well as other schools and universities. Specifically, the Center aims to provide a unified voice for STEM needs in the metropolitan area while providing a shared space for housing STEM professional development initiatives and coordinated financial support for STEM research initiatives.

Visit our calendar for a complete listing of all STEM TRAIL Center events.