--- title: STEM TRAIL Center Newsletter --- Coaches Clinic | Winter Camps | Halloween at the Planetarium ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   | View in browser October 2026  Science Olympiad Coaches Clinic 🏗️⚗️   Nebraska Science Olympiad kicked off its 2nd Annual Coaches Clinic on Saturday, October 10, at the STEM TRAIL Center on the UNO Dodge Street Campus!   The clinic brought together 25 coaches from across Nebraska for a day of learning, sharing ideas, and getting hands-on. Eight presenters led 22 sessions covering 21 Science Olympiad events. Presenters included coaches, event supervisors, and two UNL students from the 2025 State Championship team.   Four sessions focused on helping new and newer coaches get started, such as How To Prepare for Test Events, while other sessions explored individual events. Coaches participated in hands-on activities for events such as Food Science and Forensics and learned preparation strategies for device testing events including Rollercoaster and Hovercraft.   The clinic also introduced coaches through a partnership with 3D Molecular Designs to the newer Protein Modeling event. The event combines computer visualization with hands-on model building while helping students develop research, design, and problem-solving skills for real-world topics.   Most importantly, the clinic gave coaches practical, hands-on tools and ideas they could take directly back to their teams!🎉    A New Chapter for Omaha STEM  🎊    Omaha STEM Ecosystem: What’s Next The Omaha STEM Ecosystem is entering an exciting new chapter at the STEM TRAIL Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha!   After a decade of partnership with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the OSE is building on that strong foundation with new leadership, renewed momentum, and a continued commitment to bringing people and organizations together across Omaha’s STEM community.   As we look ahead, we’re excited to strengthen connections, spark new opportunities, and continue growing a vibrant STEM ecosystem for Omaha.   Join us November 17 for an evening of connection and conversation. Connect with longtime partners, meet new OSE Director Ashleigh Tierney, learn more about OSE’s partnership with UNO, and hear what’s ahead as we begin putting our strategic priorities into action.   📅 Tuesday, November 17, 2026 🕔 5:30–7:00 p.m. 📍 Thompson Alumni Center \| UNO Campus   Appetizers, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.   There is no cost to attend, but RSVP is required. RSVP to Attend Announcements  AIM FOR THE STARS: Winter Break STEM Camps❄️    Make winter break a time to discover, create, and innovate! Students can explore robotics, coding, engineering, and astronomy through hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.   Explore this winter’s camps: 🤖Sphero Robotics \| Grade 3 Discover coding and robotics by programming Sphero robots and taking on interactive daily challenges.   🌠Astronomical Adventures \| Grades 4–5 Explore planets, stars, and moons at the Mallory Kountze Planetarium, then create a glow-in-the-dark galaxy T-shirt inspired by the wonders of space.   ⚙️VEX Robotics I \| Grades 6–8 Build, code, and tackle exciting robotics challenges while developing engineering skills, creative thinking, and teamwork.   Camp Details 📅 Dates: December 28–31 🕣 Hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Monday–Thursday 💲 Tuition: $220 for the four-day camp   Give your student a winter break filled with exploration, innovation, and STEM fun! Register Today  Halloween at the Planetarium 🎃   Get into the Halloween spirit with a cosmic twist! Join us at the Mallory Kountze Planetarium for Spooky Space, a family-friendly show where real science meets supernatural legends.   👻 🪐 Explore the eerie side of astronomy as we discover some of the universe’s “monsters”—from black holes and ghostly nebulae to zombie stars and more.   🔭 What to Expect What’s Up? – A quick look at what’s happening in the night sky Spooky Space Show – A one-hour feature presentation exploring the science behind some of the universe’s creepiest phenomena Interactive Q&A + Bonus Content – Stick around to learn more, ask questions, and explore additional space destinations Show Details 📅 Dates: Friday and Sunday, October 23 & 25, 2026 🕐 Showtimes: Afternoon and evening shows available 📍 Location: Mallory Kountze Planetarium, Durham Science Center UNO Campus 🎟️ Tickets: $10 per person 🎃 Costumes: Encouraged!   Discover the science behind the scares! Bring the whole family and explore the spooky side of space this October. Get Your Tickets University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182, United States, 402.554.2800 Manage preferences The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement. | | --- |