Nebraska blast!: building lasting stem interest and skills through partnerships the intent of nebraska's 2011 summer of innovation project, nebraska blast!, is to connect and leverage existing systems…

Nebraska blast!: building lasting stem interest and skills through partnerships the intent of nebraska's 2011 summer of innovation project, nebraska blast!, is to connect and leverage existing systems of resources in nebraska to ultimately impact student interest and academic achievement in stem content areas. The nebraska department of education (NDE), the NASA nebraska space grant, and university of nebraska system including university of nebraska-lincoln 4-h extension will work collaboratively to ensure certified teachers grow in their expertise and confidence through ongoing professional development as they implement hands-on NASA stem curriculum for students participating in the nebraska 21ST century community learning center (21ST cclc) programs across the state. 21ST cclc is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to support the establishment of community learning centers serving students attending high-need schools in our state. NDE administers these grants which offer students a broad array of services, programs, and activities during non-school hours. Last year there were 3,892 students in fourth through ninth grades attending these programs at over 90 school-based sites across nebraska. Approximately 50% were female, 58% from an underrepresented minority, and 74% were eligible for free/reduced lunch. The proposed project will provide fourth through ninth grade students who participate in the 21ST cclc at least 40 hours of summer instruction and 25 hours of NASA stem engagement during the subsequent school year in selected NASA themes including robotics, earth and space science, aviation and aeronautics, and rocketry. In addition, the project will utilize NASA experts and partners from the university of nebraska system to provide 40 hours of professional development opportunities for certified teachers each year, including follow-up support throughout the school year utilizing technology. Our implementation plan calls for different NASA stem themes to be offered simultaneously across six identified regions, rotating on an annual basis. This design maximizes resources by allowing equipment to be used within a designated geographical region and reused in other regions in subsequent years. Nebraska blast! Will impact nebraska students and teachers in the following ways: students from underserved and underrepresented populations engaged in the nebraska blast! Project will be more interested in stem subjects, will better understand stem concepts, and ultimately be more likely to show increased interest in pursuing stem careers than those students without a nebraska blast! Experience. Certified teachers and other educators from out of school learning environments who participate in nebraska blast! Related professional development opportunities will be more confident and competent in the teaching of stem subjects.