Digital Commons Network^™

Synergies: University-Museum Collaborations, K. Ren Rende, Stephanie Teeter, Lewis Owen

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

The purpose of this report is to provide documentation of the University-Museums Synergies Initiative between a Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences and a Museum of Natural Sciences. The goals of this initiative were to 1)identify specific projects and opportunities might be developed to strengthen the collaboration between institutions and 2) gain a better understanding of MEAS researchers’ and Museum employees' perspectives on university-museum partnerships.

Computational Thinking Bins: Outreach And More, Briana B. Morrison, Brian Dorn, Michelle Friend

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Computational Thinking Bins are stand alone, individual boxes, each containing an activity for groups of students that teaches a computing concept. We have a devised a system that has allowed us to create an initial set, test the set, continually improve and add to our set. We currently use these bins in outreach events for middle and high school students. As we have shared this resource with K-12 teachers, many have expressed an interest in acquiring their own set. In this paper we will share our experience throughout the process, introduce the bins, and explain how you can create your …

“Let’S Try It!”: Library Outreach In A Culture Of Yes, Tammi Owens, Katie Bishop

Criss Library Faculty Publications

In the Research and Instruction Services department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries, a culture of yes drives our outreach efforts. This inclination to support non-traditional library services and events has allowed us to forge valued partnerships with student support services and learning communities, expanding the reach of the library into the university as a whole. In this column, we offer insight into how we have sustained a culture of yes as it relates to our student-focused outreach program. At the administrative level, defining the role of outreach for our organization and tying our outreach plan to the …

Show Us Your Omaha: Combating Lgbtq+ Archival Silences, Angela J. Kroeger, Yumi Ohira, Amy Schindler

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Libraries offers a variety of unique and specialized collections in the Archives & Special Collections (ASC) for UNO and Omaha community members. In 2015, ASC began planning for preserving and providing access to Omaha’s LGBTQ+ history through the Queer Omaha Archives. Archival silences were defined by archivist Rodney Carter as the manifestation of the actions of the powerful in denying the marginalized access to archives with further definition by archivists and researchers expanding this definition. The UNO Libraries has invested in developing digital engagement as a strategic priority through building infrastructure and expanding …

How Do Undergraduate Stem Mentors Reflect Upon Their Mentoring Experiences In An Outreach Program Engaging K-8 Youth?, Kari L. Nelson, Jamie Sabel, Cory Forbes, Neal Grandgenett, William E. Tapprich, Christine E. Cutucache

Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Many university students are becoming involved in mentoring programs, yet few studies describe the impact of mentoring on the mentor. Additionally, many studies report that students graduating from college are not prepared to enter the workforce in terms of key career skills and/or content knowledge. Herein, we examine the impact of our program, NE STEM 4U (Nebraska Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for You), in which undergraduate (UG) mentors engage K-8 youth in after-school STEM experiments. The UGs reflected upon their experiences using post-mentoring evaluations, 12- and 24-week interviews, and exit surveys. Many of the questions asked of …

Fostering Curiosity, Inquiry, And Scientific Thinking In Elementary School Students: Impact Of The Ne Stem 4u Intervention, Heather Leas, Kari L. Nelson, Neal Grandgenett, William E. Tapprich, Christine E. Cutucache

Biology Faculty Publications

In this qualitative study, we assessed the impact of the NE STEM 4U intervention on elementary school youth in terms of excitement, curiosity, and STEM concepts. The NE STEM 4U intervention incorporates a problem-based learning theoretical framework in an after-school time, weekly or twice-weekly intervention. We assessed student performance over two academic years of participation in the intervention using the Dimensions of Success observational tool. Ultimately, we link this mentor-led program with increases in curiosity, inquiry, and STEM concept gains. Taken together, these findings support after-school interventions in STEM areas as key encouraging excitement in youth and motivation to pursue …

Ne Stem 4u: An Out-Of-School Time Academic Program To Improve Achievement Of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Youth In Stem Areas, Christine E. Cutucache, Jamie L. Luhr, Kari L. Nelson, Neal Grandgenett, William E. Tapprich

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

The Nebraska Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 4U (NE STEM 4U) program was initiated at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in 2013. NE STEM 4U is a student-run, faculty-led program facilitating problem-based learning (PBL) sessions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for socioeconomically disadvantaged kindergarten through grade 8 (K-8) students. PBL sessions are provided throughout the academic year in a twice-weekly, after-school, informal education program. The instructional material provided after school builds upon the curricula of the school day. Importantly, this program is a partnership between faculty members and administrators in higher education at UNO with …

Color Me Calm: Adult Coloring And The University Library, Heidi Blackburn, Claire E. Chamley

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

An activity often reserved for children, coloring books for adults rose from hipster trend to global phenomenon beginning in 2013. Adults flocked to the activity for a variety of reasons, including stress relief, socialization, a way to unplug from technology or even as a way to gain social status by appearing trendy. Participants reported enjoying the tactile, interactive nature of the books as a respite from constant screen time. Coloring books became big business for craft suppliers and bookstores by 2015. Coloring books shot to the top of the Best Sellers list on Amazon and were prominently displayed in book …

From Stealthy To Burgeoning: Student Curators In The Earl Gregg Swem Library, Amy Schindler

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Presentation about Swem Library's Special Collections working with student curators as part of class projects presented at the 2011 meeting of the Society of North Carolina Archivists.

The Ivory Tower Opens Up: Documenting Controversy, Amy Schindler

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Session Abstract: A panel of trained archivists will discuss the use of the spectrum of Web 2.0 tools and innovation as how it creates mechanisms to promote the access and use of archival and rare materials. They will talk about their own innovations in their repositories, and some of the successful projects and tools being used today, as well as discussing the potential for creative collaboration between historians and archivists in academe using Web 2.0 tools and resources.

In The Simplest Terms, In The Most Convenient Definitions: 2.0 Tools For Education And Outreach, Amy Schindler

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Presentation about the use of Web 2.0 or social media tools in the Swem Library's Special Collections presented at the spring 2008 meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC).

Blogs, Wikis, & More…, Karen K. Hein

Criss Library Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

A presentation of ways to use social media platforms in libraries. The presentation first discusses blogs and wikis: an overview of what they are, examples, uses in libraries, considerations, and sources for more information. Next,, RSS is discussed: what it is, how it is used, tools required, and examples of RSS tools. Lastly, social tagging is discussed: what it is, why librarians/libraries/information professionals should care, sources for more information and examples.