December Newsletter
2021 | Volume 3 | Issue 5
From all of us at the STEM TRAIL Center, we wish you a wonderful winter break and a happy New Year! Enjoy the break, we will see you again in January!
Upcoming Events
High School Physical Science Teacher Virtual Happy Hour
Do you teach high school chemistry, physics, and/or physical science? Or are you a pre-service secondary teacher working on an endorsement in science? 
Join us from 5-6 PM on the second Wednesday of each month for a virtual happy hour. 

RSVP Now:

How would you prefer to experience our events in the spring?
Your opinion matters to us!
In-person (following all UNO guidelines)
Hybrid (I want events with virtual AND in-person options)
I want to attend virtual events only
News
A note from the Omaha STEM Ecosystem

The Omaha STEM Ecosystem, a partner with the STEM TRAIL Center, believes in building a stronger STEM community by connecting education and business development for tomorrow’s workforce. To this end, a strong infrastructure and capacity to connect and collaborate is essential. The recent launch of the STEM Community Platform (SCP) has allowed community partners to come together to ensure access and equity in education for all students.  
 
Research has shown that the key influencer for students is often an engagement experience that sparks innovation. The STEM Community Platform speaks to that journey. We invite you to participate as well in that journey, by uploading your programs, resources, and training opportunities for students and teachers to the SCP. 
 
It’s easy to upload your information: https://stemplatform.aiminstitute.org/ 
 
Project NExT Fellows

Three early career mathematics faculty members have been accepted as Project NExT Fellows (New Experiences in Teaching) by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). This program provides professional development to recent mathematics Ph.D.s, involving teaching & learning, research & scholarship and service. It is uncommon for more than one fellow from the same university to earn this national fellowship in the same year, but Dr. Cong Wang, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Karina Uhing, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. Keith Gallagher, Instructor of Mathematics, are each committed to student success and are members of the Achieving eXcellent Instruction in Omaha Mathematics (AXIOM) mathematics department faculty learning community; Dr. Uhing leads this AXIOM community.
 
Resources and Opportunities
Volunteer Judges needed for MSEF
The Forty-Third annual Metropolitan Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF) will be returning to an in-person format this year! We are currently recruiting volunteer judges for this year’s fair and we are especially hopeful you can assist as a judge! The DEADLINE to SIGN UP is February 3, 2022. 

2022 Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education (CALHE)
Missouri Western State University is pleased to host the 2022 Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education (CALHE). This year's conference will take place April 21-23, 2022 as a hybrid event with participants attending virtually or in person on the Missouri Western campus in St. Joseph, MO. With the backdrop of so much learning occurring through virtual formats over the past 2 years, our theme this year is PIVOT-AL (Pedagogy, Innovation, Vision, Outreach, Technology - Applied Learning). We invite papers, posters, presentations, and workshops around these themes as well as other applied learning related topics. 
 
Please visit www.missouriwestern.edu/appliedlearning/calhe/ to access the call for papers, abstract submission, information about the conference, schedule and registration details. Abstract submission deadline is January 15th, 2022. Please pass along this opportunity to peers, colleagues, and students who may also be interested in attending. 
 
If you have questions about CALHE please feel free to reach out to the conference organizing chair, Dr. Jen Botello (jbotello@missouriwestern.edu) 
Interested in exploring the STEM TRAIL Center further?
Consider a Gift, Support an Intern at your Company, or Volunteer!

Interested in donating? Please consider contributions to our UNO STEM TRAIL Center Excellence Fund #01149830 at the Nebraska University Foundation:

Checks can be mailed to:
University of Nebraska Foundation
PO Box 3465
Omaha, NE 68103-0465
reference: 01149830 - UNO STEM TRAIL Center Excellence Fund

Gifts can also be remitted electronically at the link below.
STEM TRAIL Center
Thompson Alumni Center 204
6705 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182
Phone: 402.554.3459
UNO NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is an AA/EEO/ADA institution. For Title IX concerns, please contact the Title IX Coordinator (phone: 402.554.2120). For ADA/504 accommodations or assistance, please call/contact the ADA/504 Coordinator (phone 402.554.2463) or the Accessibility Services Center (phone: 402.554.2872).