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Grand Challenges research effort leverages STEM to inspire climate action

The RISE with Insects research team includes, from left, Susan Weller, director of the University of Nebraska State Museum; Sarah Roberts, Extension educator in science and nature education for early childhood; Ana María Vélez Arango, assistant professor of insect toxicology; Louise Lynch-O’Brien, assistant professor of insect biology and Extension specialist; and Holly Hatton-Bowers, associate professor of child, youth and family studies and Extension specialist. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

After decades of work, many researchers believe climate change poses the greatest global threat to human health — and that youth are the most vulnerable to the impacts and most-dire consequences, both today and in the future.

Black, Latinx, Native American and other youth of color may be disproportionately affected by climate change with deepening inequalities in access to clean air and water, healthy foods and forced migration. Full Article

Interdisciplinary program takes long-range view of visual impairment instruction

Mackenzie Savaiano, associate professor of practice in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, is leading a project to recruit and train new teachers to meet the needs of students with visual impairments. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Ophthalmology, the number of American preschool children with visual impairment is projected to increase by more than 25 percent in the coming decades, with most visual impairment resulting from simple uncorrected vision problems that interfere with clear sight. Full Article

Nebraska Extension early childhood team develops quality child care guide

Nebraska Extension’s “Child Care Essentials: Choosing Quality Child Care in Nebraska” guide is available online and will be provided to parents of newborns at all Nebraska hospitals. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Access to quality child care is essential for working parents. Early care and education settings — including homes, child care centers and out-of-school programs — help Nebraska communities thrive by contributing to a strong workforce, while also providing children with safe and nurturing environments that foster their learning and development. 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

2022 Summit on Research in Early Childhood helps connect research, practice, policy

Participants gather during the 2022 CYFS Summit on Research in Early Childhood at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center on April 13. View photo gallery.

Creating connections among early childhood research, practice and policy — and how each can enhance the lives of young children and their families — provided the central theme of the 2022 CYFS Summit on Research in Early Childhood.

Nearly 200 attendees, including researchers from across the University of Nebraska system, practitioners, administrators, community partners and policymakers, gathered April 13 at Nebraska Innovation Campus for the daylong, sixth biennial summit, which highlighted the latest research to advance early childhood education and development, and implications for practice and policy. Full Article

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

Study examines bonds between babies, parents

Patty Kuo, assistant professor of child, youth and family studies, is leading a pilot project to explore how attachment security to mothers and fathers develops in a baby’s first 18 months — and how those attachment configurations predict outcomes in the child’s first three years. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

It may seem obvious, but the emotional bond babies develop with their parents is crucial — not only for their survival, but also to ensure positive outcomes throughout life.

Less-obvious, however, is how this bond — known as attachment — develops. 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