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Category: Research & Evaluation Methods

MAP Academy helps researchers see big picture of rural adolescent nutrition insecurity

Extension educator Natalie Sehi is leading a team of researchers focused on adolescent nutrition insecurity.

Making sure rural youth have enough to eat is important for both their health and education. Attending school with an empty stomach affects a student’s ability to focus and learn, making proper nutrition essential for academic success.

Nebraska Extension educators Beth Nacke and Natalie Sehi are leading research focused on adolescent nutrition insecurity. They recently worked with the MAP Academy to create a database to analyze the nutritional and economic impact of Nebraska Extension’s statewide Monthly Meal Kit program. Full Article

Brain-connected technology opening doors for children with severe speech, physical impairments

Kevin Pitt, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is leading a three-year project that uses brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to facilitate better communication for people with severe speech and physical impairments. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

Imagine being locked inside your own body, isolated and struggling to meaningfully connect and communicate with those around you.

Now imagine trying to cope with such isolation as a child.

For children with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI), the lack of a reliable communication methods has devastating impacts on their quality of life, well-being, medical care and social interactions. Full Article

Video available for MAP Academy presentation featuring Carrie Clark, Amanda Prokasky

From left, Amanda Prokasky, MAP Academy senior research specialist, and Carrie Clark, associate professor of educational psychology, answer questions about wearable technology during the Fall 2023 Methodology Applications Series presentation at the Nebraska Union Dec. 8.

Carrie Clark, associate professor of educational psychology, and Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the MAP Academy, led the final presentation of the Fall 2023 Methodology Applications Series Dec. 8.

Video is now available of Clark and Prokasky’s presentation, “Capturing Life in Motion: Leveraging Wearable Technology for Human Subjects Research.” Full Article

Creating, maintaining research partnerships focus of NAECR Knowledge event

Creating and maintaining solid research partnerships is crucial to advancing quality education for children.

Establishing and sustaining productive research partnerships is critical for early childhood researchers, but these can sometimes be difficult to create.

A panel of University of Nebraska early childhood researchers and community partners from across Nebraska led a virtual discussion Nov. 17 about the importance of creating and maintaining research partnerships in the first NAECR Knowledge event of the fall. Full Article

Video available for MAP Academy presentation featuring Kristy Feden

Kristy Feden, senior director of special services for the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, School District, led the second presentation of the Fall 2022 Methodology Applications Series Nov. 11.

Video is now available of Feden’s virtual presentation, “Lessons from the Field: What it Really Takes to Move from Research to Practice in a Large Urban School District.” Full Article

Study: Sleep deficits add up during busy seasons for farmers, ranchers

Data from a recent study found that during peak seasons — planting, harvesting and calving — farmers and ranchers spent about 25 fewer minutes in bed and 28 fewer minutes actually sleeping each night. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

As any agricultural worker will readily admit, occasional sleep deprivation is all part of the job.

But for farmers and ranchers who routinely work around livestock and machinery, bad things can happen when sleepiness leads to lack of concentration, slower reaction times or distractibility. Full Article

Researchers collaborate at Early Head Start University Partnership Data Camp

Researchers from four universities involved in the Early Head Start University Partnership met May 4-5 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to discuss expanding the knowledge base of early childcare and education programs. From left, HyeonJin Yoon, Lorey Wheeler, Ann Michele Stacks, Sue Sheridan, Johayra Bouza, Beth Van Horne, Sandra Scruggs and Lisa Knoche. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research Network.

Research teams from four universities gathered May 4 and 5 at the Nebraska Union to discuss expanding knowledge and support of Early Head Start and other early care and education programs.

During the two-day Early Head Start University Research Partnership Data Camp, researchers collaborated in-person and virtually on a variety of topics, including parent-teacher relationships, infant/toddler well-being in Early Head Start center-based care and provider professional development. Full Article