On Wednesday, April 1, students in TED/STEM 2800: Science Experimentation & Engineering Design launched their spring near space experiments (NSEs) into the stratosphere.
This semester, student teams designed two experiments each—one mounted on the outside of a foam module and one placed inside. The creative projects ranged from mini crawfish and photo negative development to testing homemade vs. store-bought cotton candy, evaluating the effectiveness of sunscreen under varying levels of solar radiation, and even hard-boiled eggs 🍳—where students explored not only how they fared in the stratosphere but also how their taste and texture developed—showcasing curiosity and innovation at every level.🧫🥼
Making the launch even more memorable, the class was joined by special guests—visiting teachers from Uzbekistan—who partnered with students to send the balloon skyward at 9 a.m. 🌍
Using satellite-based GPS tracking, students monitored the balloon’s flight path in real time, then set out in pursuit to recover their experiments after landing. The chase added an extra layer of excitement as teams successfully retrieved their payload and returned to home base at UNO to analyze their results. 🛰️
Experiences like these showcase the impact of inquiry-driven, hands-on learning, the value of global collaboration, and the limitless curiosity inspiring the next generation of innovators.
💡Building the Next Generation of STEM Educators at UNO ⚛️📐
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program – Track 1 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is helping address the national need for highly qualified STEM teachers, a critical step in preparing a competitive STEM workforce.
The program supports Noyce Scholars and TAP Students/STEM Professionals in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Physics by providing scholarships, mentoring, professional development, and hands-on outreach experiences.
Noyce Scholars are undergraduate STEM students who commit to teaching in high-need secondary schools. Through financial support, mentorship, and practical teaching experience, they gain expertise in inquiry-based STEM instruction, helping to improve both the quality and diversity of STEM education.
STEM Professionals and TAP Students—those with a degree in a Noyce-eligible STEM field—can also transition into teaching careers. Eligible participants may receive up to $10,000 to pursue a teaching certificate while gaining the tools and preparation needed to become effective secondary STEM educators in high-need schools.
Through the UNO Noyce Program, talented STEM students and professionals are empowered to inspire the next generation of learners while making a real impact in classrooms that need them most. 🎓
Moon & Earth: Insights from Space for a Sustainable Future 🌕🌎
🌔FORWARD! To The Moon
Over the course of just one generation, we’ve gone from launching the very first rockets to bringing space technology into our daily lives. Now is the time to start a new chapter in human endeavor: taking the first steps toward a lasting presence beyond Earth.
Join Kari Byron of Crash Test World and MythBusters as she guides us on a journey beyond Earth toward a sustainable future in space. Explore NASA’s Artemis Program, named for the ancient Greek moon goddess and twin of Apollo, which aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.
This immersive experience is produced by Fiske Planetarium in collaboration with TEND Studio, with support from NASA SSERVI and Lockheed Martin.
📆Dates: April 10th-12th
🌍 🌡️Climate Change in Our Backyard
Astronomy has shaped human understanding for thousands of years, woven into nearly every major civilization. But just 400 years ago, a single invention changed everything—the telescope.
Two Small Pieces of Glass is an immersive fulldome planetarium show that traces the remarkable story of the telescope, from its earliest, simple designs to the powerful instruments transforming astronomy today. Follow the journey that allowed humanity to peer farther into the universe than ever before—and witness how modern telescopes continue to unlock breathtaking discoveries.🌌
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