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Researchers, teachers, artists collaborate to envision future of emerging media instruction

Art TEAMS researchers include, from left, Guy Trainin, professor of education in the Department of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education; Lorinda Rice, Lincoln Public Schools art curriculum specialist; HyeonJin Yoon, research assistant professor, MAP Academy; and Kimberly D’Adamo, TLTE graduate student/lecturer. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

Given the speed at which technology changes and evolves, one can only imagine what media will look like in five years — and beyond.

But Nebraska researchers are collaborating with the state’s K-12 educators, artists and administrators to do just that. Full Article

Brain-connected technology opens communications doors for those with severe physical impairments

Kevin Pitt, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, prepares an EEG cap for use on a P300 speller device (Photo by Kelcey Buck, Special Education and Communication Disorders). Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

As computer technology continues to evolve and become more routine in daily life, researchers and engineers alike are working to find new ways to link computer technology with the human brain.

Using a direct communication pathway between a wired brain and an external device to produce commands is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Brain-computer interface, or BCI, is now evolving reality — and one that promises enhanced quality of life for people with severe physical impairments (SPIs). Full Article

Youth Arise encourages youth civic engagement, entrepreneurship

Kieu-Anh Do, Youth Arise project coordinator, helps a student during the July 2021 Youth Arise camp in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. (Photos by Evan Choi) Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

With the world becoming more complex each day, the importance of civic knowledge and community engagement is on the rise — especially among younger generations.

Nebraska researchers are leading a project designed to provide civics, entrepreneurship and leadership education to underserved youth through an innovative learning program based on interactive online games and simulations. Full Article

Maker space project helps build future engineering foundation

Students strategize the best way forward on their project during the Maker Friday engineering courses at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, in fall 2018.

It’s Friday morning in the Maker Space Lab at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, and the room is abuzz — literally and figuratively.

One group of students is hard at work on the 3D printer. Other students collaborate on a computer aided design (CAD) project. Another group concentrates on woodworking with power tools. Full Article

Empowering preschool teachers to reflect, talk about science

Children explore the garden at EMEI Ignacio in Recife, Brazil, one of the preschools engaged in PreSTAR.
Teacher Elizinete Natália Queiroz de Araújo Souza, left, shows a worm to Renata Gomes, CYFS graduate student, center, and young students at EMEI Ignacio in São Paulo. See gallery.

Tucked away from the busy city streets of São Paulo, Brazil, young learners are exploring a colorful garden with spades, magnifying glasses and other tools. They gather around their preschool teacher who is holding a freshly dug worm in her hands. They observe the wriggling creature together. After the excited shrieks subside, the teacher begins to ask them questions. Full Article

Identifying, controlling selection bias in tests of differential item functioning

Marc Goodrich and Natalie Koziol are exploring ways to identify and combat selection bias in differential item functioning.
Marc Goodrich and Natalie Koziol are exploring ways to identify and control selection bias in evaluations of differential item functioning. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

As demand increases for employees with expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, representation of Latinos in STEM fields continues to lag.

As of 2011, Latinos represented only 7 percent of the American STEM workforce, despite accounting for more than 16 percent of the U.S. population. Full Article

Project enhances Nebraska STEM access, understanding

Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall.
Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall as part of the NebraskaSTEM project for supporting elementary rural leadership.

Recent studies show that 85 percent of the U.S. population has access to 4G — fourth-generation — broadband network technology.

Which means 15 percent of Americans do not.

In Nebraska, the numbers are better: A recent report by Nebraska Broadband indicates broadband is available to 99.5 percent of the state’s residents. Full Article

Examining strategies to enhance the arithmetic-to-algebra transition

Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help students with math learning difficulties prepare for algebra.
Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help students with math learning difficulties prepare for algebra.

For students struggling to learn math, confusion and frustration can be common denominators. But a recent University of Nebraska research project aims to help remove those negative factors from the equation.

According to previous studies, students with math learning difficulties experience the most severe and persistent underachievement in algebra compared to their peers. Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help such students prepare for algebra. Full Article