The following are UNL Divisions and Projects that seek to partner with or have resources for Nebraska Communities. See where these groups are impacting Nebraska in our Engagement and Outreach Map. For edits or suggestions, please contact Jentry Barrett at jbarrett3@unl.edu.
4-H Afterschool Programming
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Delivered by 4-H staff or trained volunteers, afterschool experiences combine 4-H resources with community-based organizations and offer high-quality care, education, and development experiences to youth.
4-H School Enrichment
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Nebraska 4-H school enrichment programs are learning experiences delivered to youth in cooperation with public or private school during school hours in support of school curriculum. These programs, delivered by 4-H staff, trained volunteers, or teachers, are built to enhance the subject matter being studied in the classroom and provide non-formal, hands-on education to complement formal education.
Accounting Workshop for Middle and High School Students
College of Business
Warren Buffett, class of 1951, once said, “accounting is the language of business.” This workshop gives students a holistic understanding of accounting significance in life and business and enables them to think like a CEO. Utilizing interactive activities, career insights and practical demonstrations, students get a taste of why the famous Nebraskan investor and business leader is correct.
Actuarial Science Workshop for Middle and High School Students
College of Business
An actuary manages risk for insurance companies, hospitals, banks and more. Students who enjoy mathematics, statistics and collaboration often find great satisfaction in this line of work. In this workshop, students assess the risk of automobile insurance policies through a hands-on activity.
Ag Education and Skilled and Technical Sciences Professional Development
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Professional development opportunities for agricultural education and skilled and technical sciences teachers from the Department of Agricultural Leadership Education and Communication.
America Reads and America Counts
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Since 2002, America Reads and America Counts work-study program, housed in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship, has partnered with the Lincoln Public School District to provide tutoring resources for elementary schools. UNL America Reads and America Counts program annually employes 100 students to engage in the community, thus enabling the program to reach over 1,000 youth per month. Tutors assist elementary school children, kindergarten through 5th grade, in reading and mathematics. The America Reads and America Counts program offers UNL undergraduate students an opportunity to mentor, educate, and invest in children within the community through one-on-one and group tutoring.
Animal Engineers in the Wetlands Video
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Humans aren’t the only animals that manipulate ecosystems. Animals that are found in wetlands engineer the habitat around them to create shelter, gather food, and raise their young. Learn about the amazing engineering feats of animals in Nebraska’s wetlands!
Beekeeping Educational Offerings
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Bee Lab team of experts help provide a variety of education offerings to our local community, schools, and other educational organizations to provide targeted education that focus on bees, pollinators and conservation science literacy for any audience, from Pre-K to professional seminar presentations.
Beyond the Box
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Beyond the Box is a collection of resources that was created to utilize digital storytelling to support students in various grades as they explore their future. From promoting diversity to focusing on important human values, these collections of stories highlight how individuals have found their way into the sciences.
Block Party Program
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Nebraska Extension also offers Block Party training for childcare providers. This training provides information on the benefits of block play and how to incorporate it into daily activities.
Business and Law Workshop for Middle and High School Students
College of Business
One of the fastest-growing majors in the College of Business is business and law. Business employers often need professionals who can identify programs and develop solutions that make both financial and legal sense. In this workshop, students get a firsthand look at how skills developed through this major apply to their lives and why there is such demand within this field.
Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education
College of Arts and Sciences
The Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education (CSMCE) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln fosters education research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and supports efforts to improve the equitable teaching and learning in STEM in PK–16. With support from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the CSMCE works to build partnerships among leaders in the higher education and PK–12 education sectors that further our basic mission.
Choosing Quality Childcare
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Resources from Nebraska Extension to help families choose childcare in their communities that will be best for their children and family.
CliftonStrengths Workshop for Middle and High School Students
College of Business
In this workshop, students can recognize their individual talents and potential, develop an understanding as to why they make certain choices, find fulfillment in specific tasks and learn more about how they influence others.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Education and Career Pathways
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Education and Career Pathways Team provides a monthly update of opportunities and resources for K-12 schools to connect with the University of Nebraska's CASNR Food, Energy, Water, and Societal Systems (FEWS²) programs and partners. Their website showcases all the K-12 opportunities.
Cultivating Health Intentional Mindful Educators (CHIME)
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
CHIME is a transformative program from Nebraska Extension at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln designed to equip educators with the tools to cultivate mindfulness and reflection in their daily work. The CHIME Program provides education and guidance on how to incorporate mindfulness and reflective practice into your daily routine, teaching, and caregiving.
Discover and Design Lesson Guides
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Created by Nebraska Extension, parents and caregivers will find many lessons that children can Discover & Design as a family or in a group setting. These one-page lessons have everything you need to introduce the activity, gather materials and view step by step instructions. We hope you enjoy working together with the young children in your life.
Drought Resources for Students and Teachers
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Drought resources for teachers and students about drought, weather, and climate from the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Dust Bowl Learning Resources
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
This website details the history of the dust bowl including the causes and lessons learned.
Engineering Ambassadors
College of Engineering
The mission of Nebraska's Engineering Ambassadors Network is to redefine the conventional ideas surrounding science, technology, engineering, and math. Through engaging presentations and hands-on activities, we challenge K-12 youth (particularly underrepresented groups) to dream of a better world and to embrace roles as agents of change.
Engler Entrepreneurship Guide Educator Conference
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Guide is an effort for teachers to think about their classroom like an entrepreneur thinks about a market. We seek to empower educators to create greater value, find opportunities, and challenge assumptions within their classrooms. Join us and spend two days rethinking your approach to classrooms, students, and your role as an educator.
Engler Entrepreneurship High School Cohort
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
The High School Cohort is a small group of educators who are seeking to teach with an entrepreneurial mindset. These cohorts are designed for providing support, education, and comradery around educators who have bought into the Engler mission.
Engler Entrepreneurship Launch Program for High School
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Launch! Is a year-long program that takes high school students and teachers through the entrepreneurial process from no idea or plans to the creation of a valuable, sustainable business that solves a real-world problem for real-world customers.
Entomology K-12 Teacher Resources
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
K-12 teacher resources and outreach kits, insect images, charts, and diagrams, science literacy and outreach materials.
Entrepreneurship Workshop for Middle and High School Students
College of Business
In this workshop, students explore established businesses and identify the problem, solution, target market, competition, financial projects and “the ask.” If the idea of building and organizing a business excites you, entrepreneurship might be an area to consider. We love incorporating that “startup” mindset in classrooms to stimulate a new interest in business.
Fit and Healthy Kids
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fit and Healthy Kids is a team of Early Childcare experts from across the United States who offer online training opportunities. The programs feature diverse experts sharing evidence-based practices, resources, ideas, and the latest in research.
Food and Agricultural Sciences Storylines Project
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
A collection of NGSS-aligned high school lessons focused on teaching food science in the context of nutrition, preventing food waste, and addressing the challenge of feeding a growing population.
Food, Energy, Water and Societal Systems Lincoln Public Schools Focus Program
Lincoln Public Schools and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have joined together for the LPS-UNL Early College and Career STEM Program. Through hands-on, immersive experiences and early college pathways, the program will prepare LPS students in the areas of food, energy, water, and societal systems, often called FEWS2 (pronounced “fuse.”) The program is designed to provide pathways for learners at LPS who are interested in FEWS2.
Forensic Entomology Digital Badge
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
In this Forensic Entomology course, students will be participating in a unique learning experience, an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) called The Death of Dannie Bee. You will help fictional characters, Detective Bini Murthy and Forensic Entomologist Kyle Lawsen, with three case studies where insect evidence is crucial to helping solve the case. Students will interact with the professor and characters and collaborate with classmates throughout the course.
Game-Based Learning with Project A.C.R.E.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Project A.C.R.E. is a team of faculty, staff, and students that develop research-based serious educational games to promote agroecosystem literacy, enhance understanding of sustainability, and increase awareness of STEM careers relevant to agroecosystems.
Garden TOOLS Project
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Garden TOOLS (Technology Opportunities in Outdoor Learning Spaces) is designed to support students in grades 3-5 to make data-informed decisions in school gardens or other outdoor growing spaces by using and programming BBC micro:bit microcontrollers. The program offers resources to support you and your students.
Great Plains Art Museum
The Great Plains Art Museum welcomes school group tours for K-12 classes or organizations. During the tour, students will learn about the people, cultures, and environments of the Great Plains and engage in interactive discussions about artwork that sparks their imaginations and sharpens observation and critical thinking skills.
Herpetology Guide
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Guide to Snakes, Turtles, Frogs, Lizards, and Salamanders. Identification of the herptofauna native to Nebraska is fun, but at times can be challenging. Our resources provide reliable information for fast identification.
Husker Performance
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Husker Performance is an innovative sports nutrition program designed specifically for high school-aged students. Created by the experts at UNL Nutrition and Health Sciences, Nebraska Extension, and the Nebraska Athletic Department, this program is your key to unlocking your students’ full athletic potential.
Initialize Student Group
College of Engineering
Initialize is an outreach group dedicated to expanding the reach of computer science. We do so through acts of community service, leadership, mentorship, and interdisciplinary inclusion. We work with local businesses, non-profits, public schools, colleges, and universities as a resource and advocate for the importance of incorporating computer science into every discipline in today's modern world.
Kit and Dick Schmoker Reading Center
College of Education and Human Sciences
The Kit and Dick Schmoker Reading Center provides reading and writing tutoring to children in the community. Tutoring is provided by UNL graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Education and Human Sciences, under the direction of UNL faculty and certified teachers. Instruction is individualized and based on assessments given by the tutors. It is our goal that each child improves his or her reading and writing skills, gains greater confidence as a reader, and establishes a love for reading.
Know Your Well Project
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
“Know Your Well” is a collaborative citizen science program training high school students how to sample and test well water quality.
Language Fair
College of Arts and Sciences
High school students from across the state studying Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish have the opportunity to demonstrate the acquisition of language and cultural knowledge in competitive events. Students may participate in one competitive event (individual or group), PLUS either a poster OR a short film. For example, an acceptable combination would be drama + poster or poetry + film.
Libraries Community User Resources and Services
University Libraries
Information about community member borrowing, special collection visits, and librarian consultations. Libraries Open Educational Resources.
Libraries High School Program
University Libraries
The UNL Libraries High School Program provides opportunity for Nebraska and regional high school students to access and experience college-level research using the library and collections of a major research institution.
Libraries Open Educational Resources
University Libraries
Open educational resources include a wide variety of course material types, including open textbooks, modules, syllabi, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, lab activities, games, and simulations.
Marathon Kids
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Marathon Kids is a national running program designed to motivate kids by utilizing running logs, boost their activity, and introduce them to the joy of running! Nebraska Extension teamed up with Marathon Kids to bring this great program to our state through Nebraska Extension Marathon Kids (NEMK).
Math Day
College of Arts and Sciences
Nebraska high schools are invited to join us for a day of engaging mathematics. Math Day is designed for students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 and for exceptional students in lower grades. Math Day consists of one individual and two team mathematics competitions. The PROBE top 25 Nebraska high school students (sum of PROBE I and II) are awarded a total of $41,500 in one- or four-year scholarships to UNL.
Milkweed in the Classroom
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Milkweed in the Classroom provides a collection of resources designed to help students investigate the monarch butterfly migration as a locally relevant phenomenon. Through a series of standards-aligned lessons, students will ask questions, analyze available data, and construct a scientific argument to answer the guiding question, “How has the monarch migration has changed over time and why?”.
Nation Nourishment Program
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Nation Nourishment Program from Nebraska Extension is a hands-on and classroom-based food growing experience for Umonhon Nation community members seeking to learn to grow food for their family, community and local economy.
Nature-Based Learning
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Look Who’s Hatching is a program available from Nebraska Extension for childcare centers, preschools, and family home programs with preschool-age children. We offer workshops and on-demand modules to support early childhood professionals' use of the program and how to implement the program's emergent curriculum. Extension staff drops off incubators, eggs, and curriculum toolkit.
Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting
For 135 years, the Nebraska Academy of Sciences has hosted an annual meeting designed to bring the scientific community across the state together to 'share their science' with professionals across the state. Researchers, faculty, students, professionals and citizen scientists can submit an abstract for the annual meeting held on East Campus.
Nebraska Agricultural Education Career Development Events
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Today's agricultural industry presents students with over 300 career opportunities. Knowing that one in every three people in Nebraska is employed in an agriculturally based career, the Nebraska Agricultural Education Career Development Events (CDEs) help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive job market.
Nebraska College Preparatory Academy
NCPA is an innovative college access program that prepares academically talented, first-generation, income-eligible students in grades 9-12 for college and their future careers. NCPA’s college scholars also receive full financial assistance to pay the cost of college, including tuition, books, room and board, and fees. NCPA serves academically talented students from first-generation, low-income families from four high schools—Omaha North High Magnet School, Omaha South High Magnet School, Grand Island Senior High, and Winnebago Public High School.
Nebraska Council on Economic Education
College of Business
Throughout five centers for economic education, the council provides resources for professional development, graduate education, workshops, classroom activities, and academic competitions for teachers and students in K-12 and post-secondary institutions. Contact us if you need additional information, would like to sponsor an event, or would like to help support the council and our mission.
Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences Regional and State Science Fair
As an affiliate of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, the Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences (NJAS) seeks to stimulate science education and to encourage young people to become involved in science. The NJAS Science Fair, held annually in April at UNL, brings together the Top 6 junior and senior high student projects from each region of the state.
Nebraska Public Media Podcasts for Kids
Listening to podcasts together is a great way to learn as a family. From storytelling podcasts that encourage imagination to soar, to educational episodes that open new worlds, there's something to spark everyone's curiosity. Podcasts keep us curious, inspire conversation, and we can listen and learn together any time, anywhere.
Nebraska Public Media Resources for Educators
PBS LearningMedia, PBS KIDS and PBS have curated FREE state and national standards-aligned professional learning and educational resources including: videos, interactives, lesson plans and more for educators.
Nebraska Public Media Screenings and Events
Nebraska Public Media hosts many virtual and in-person events for families and children.
Nebraska Public Media Virtual Tours of Nebraska
These virtual tours will put you in touch with Nebraska’s historic institutions, captivating creatures and colorful characters. These learning adventures are at your fingertips. Tours include Larsen Tractor Museum, Morrill Hall, Ashfall Fossil Beds, Buffalo Bill Scout’s Rest Ranch, Nebraska Capitol Tour.
Nebraska Sandhills Curriculum
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Discover the Nebraska Sandhills through lesson plans and resources about ranching, water in the Sandhills, range management and biodiversity, ecotourism and conservation.
Nebraska STEAM Imagination Reading Program
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
This program by Nebraska Extension provides all caregivers (early childhood professionals and parents) with books, guided questions, and expanded learning resources to support literacy development, enhance relationships, and to make a connection with your local library.
NHRI Leadership Mentoring
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
We are a leadership development program that pairs college leaders with 7th-12th grade leaders in a one-on-one investment relationship to grow individuals' ability to positively influence others.
Northeast Nebraska Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Compact
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
The Northeast Nebraska Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Compact is the first of its kind in Nebraska. The compact combines the strengths of multiple institutions in the region to meet the education needs of youth and lifelong learners and contribute to workforce and talent development to support economic growth strategies in agriculture and natural resources.
Nutrition School Enrichment Kits
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Nutrition School Enrichment Kit (SEK) Program brings nutrition education to Nebraska’s K-5 students through engaging lessons led by teachers. Each kit includes lesson plans, handouts, visual aids, games, and family newsletters, making it easy to integrate into the classroom.
OwlPellets: Tips for Ag Teachers
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Practical tips for your ag classroom and interesting information to incorporate in your teaching. Quick and easy resources for you to read, or “pellets” of information.
Plant Adaptations in Wetlands Video
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Plants growing in wetlands have a wide variety of adaptations that allow them to thrive in the unique conditions that are found in wetlands. From massive cottonwood trees to the diminutive saltwort, learn about the amazing plants that are found in Nebraska’s wetlands!
Plant and Soil Sciences E-Library
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
The Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary is a collection of Open Educational Resources (OER) developed by team members whose mission is to disseminate foundational science and cutting-edge research related to plants, soils, and the environments where plants grow. With collaboration from our subject matter experts and the use of technology, we are growing this knowledge base, which is used globally by students, industry, faculty, and researchers. Housed in the Agronomy and Horticulture Department.
Platte Basin Timelapse STEM Lesson Plans
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
These STEM-based curricula help students explore the Platte Basin using the power of timelapse photography to track migratory bird patterns to observing crop growth and seasonal river fluctuations.
Platte River Prairies Curricula
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Engage your students with the hidden wonders of Nebraska! Despite its reputation for being flat, Nebraska boasts biologically rich ecosystems shaped by rivers like the Platte. Dive into the diverse Platte River prairies ecosystem and bring learning to life with an interactive food web and food chain activity.
Playing with Systems
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Practicing systems thinking habits can change the way you see the world and influence the actions or decisions you make. We created this project to help teachers and students explore some personally meaningful ways to playfully develop systems thinking skills.
Pollinator Science Lessons
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
This is a series of exploratory lessons covering insect pollinators and their conservation. It is designed for Pre-K through 3rd grades following Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines.
Professional Development Classes for Early Childhood Professionals
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood Team is pleased to be able to offer a variety of on-line classes to meet the needs of the Early Childhood Workforce. No Cost early childhood training is available thanks to sponsorships.
Project Learning Tree
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Nebraska Forest Service leads the state by inspiring and assisting others to create and sustain healthy, productive forests. Our conservation education program helps both formal and non-formal educators, families, and natural resource professionals with resources to educate Nebraskans on conservation concepts and issues. Conservation Education helps people of all ages develop the critical thinking skills they need to understand complex environmental issues and make informed decisions.
The Pyramid Model: Promoting Social Emotional Competence
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
These training courses utilize The Pyramid Model, research-based strategies and resources from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (CSEFEL), focusing on the social-emotional development and school readiness of young children. Trainings can be offered as part of child-care conferences, parent education training, a half-day or full-day training focused on Social-Emotional Development. Trainings with an asterisk have an additional training option for parents.
School of Natural Resources K-12 Resources
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Environmental education (EE) seeks to inform and inspire people about nature and environmental issues. EE occurs in both formal education or classrooms and non-formal education such as after school programs, events, nature centers and museums.
Sleepless in Nebraska
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
A class by Nebraska Extension to help students and adults create better sleep hygiene.
Student Engagement Project
College of Education and Human Sciences
The Student Engagement Project provides materials to assist educators for school improvement or individual student planning – in order to increase engagement, improve student behavior & academics, and reduce exclusionary discipline & dropout within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.
Summer Soybean Institute
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
At SSI you will obtain the tools to help your students become “Soybean Enthusiasts” through the exploration and inquiry of the Nebraska Soybean Story. Enjoy a mix of Content Experts from the University of Nebraska Lincoln-CASNR, the Nebraska Soybean Board, and local teacher leader collaboratives. We will learn together and apply systematic thinking about the phenomenon of Nebraska Soybeans that will lead to a gained understanding of the soybean as a system.
Supply Chain Workshop for Middle and High School Students
College of Business
In this workshop, students explore the process of transferring products from company to customer. This is the management process that pushes products and services from raw materials to the market. This area requires an optimization of efficiency and effectiveness.
Sustainable Behavior Resources
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Whether you want to communicate, educate or encourage sustainable behavior we can help you with both conducting research and using well-researched techniques to increase your impact.
Terns and Plovers Curricula
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Inspire your students with the fascinating story of least terns and piping plovers! These birds once relied on the Platte River’s sandbars for nesting but now adapt to unexpected habitats like gravel mines and housing developments. Students will explore how scientists band and monitor these species, linking conservation science to real-world challenges in a meaningful and engaging way.
Translating Applied STEM Research into Secondary Science (TASRs)
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
This collection of high school lessons and units was created as part of the TASRSs program. The program provided an opportunity for Nebraska high school science teachers to collaborate with UNL STEM faculty and graduate students engaged in applied STEM research around agriculture and natural resources.
Tree & Shrub Identification
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Identify trees and shrubs and which are suitable for different Nebraska habitats.
Virtual Field Trip Program for Early Childhood
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
This program provides all caregivers, preschool teachers, and parents with books, virtual tours, art, and physical activities along with music. We hope you enjoy this website to access high-quality content with curated books and activities for extending children’s learning on about community helpers and services. Children will demonstrate an increased familiarity with doctors, police officers, firefighters, veterinarians, and greenhouse managers through developmentally appropriate indicators.
Water Lessons for Preschoolers
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Water Lessons for Preschoolers curriculum is a hands-on curriculum created to support preschool children’s learning about water quality, wetlands, and streams. Preschoolers and their teachers will explore and learn about the water cycle, aquifers, rivers, wetlands, and water treatment.
Wetlands of Nebraska
Nebraska Game and Parks
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has partnered with Platte Basin Timelapse to develop wetlands resources that showcase the importance and dynamics of Nebraska’s wetlands and take an in-depth look at Nebraska’s regional wetland complexes.
What’s Going on in This Graph-Nebraska Edition
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
The scientist and the citizen alike must make evaluative judgments about the validity of science-related media reports and their implications for people’s own lives and society.