Curious People Series: Nurturing the Scientist and Engineer In Everyone
Are you a K-12 educator or teacher in training? Join us on March 21, 2022 for our Curious People Series event --- with STEM and teacher education expert, Derrick Nero. Nero is an expert in training educators and people about the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
- date: 03/21/22
- time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- location: Zoom and In-person Event • maps
- contact: Robyn Loos - Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center • rloos@unomaha.edu
Nurturing the Scientist and Engineer In Everyone
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is everywhere – in our homes, workplaces, communities, and environment. Therefore, the more knowledgeable and skilled we are at recognizing, understanding, and communicating it, the more interest (and less apprehension) we can have with its use and creation. As a result, a novel approach of using weather balloons to deliver student-generated experiments to near-space allows secondary and first-year college students opportunities to conceive, develop, build, and conduct experiments based on their own perspectives about our world. These near space experiments are developed using science and engineering practices found in professional settings and foster students' curiosities, discovery, and expression.
About the Speaker
Derrick Nero, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor in UNO's College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Nero's professional experiences, education, research, and involvement make him an expert in engineering and developing STEM education for teachers in training. Throughout his diverse professional experiences, Nero has been involved in projects that range from national security sites to aerial operations and more. He is both well connected and involved in local k-12 schools and the Nebraska Department of Education as the STEM Fellow.
Curious People: Making a Difference Through Engaged Research
This year, the Curious People Series is spotlighting a diverse array of UNO faculty whose research or creative activity is deeply linked to the community. We call this type of work "Engaged Research" or the "Scholarship of Engagement" -- and it's happening all across campus and in our community. Engaged Research plays an important role at Metropolitan Universities like UNO, as it is defined by collaboration, community partnerships, and tangible contributions to the public good.
Many thanks to the UNO Office of Research and Creative Activity for being our campus partner in this year's series.