Improving

Nebraska Centers of Excellence

Centers of Excellence (CoE) grants were awarded in 2020-21 to Nebraska school and community-based ELO programs and nonprofit organizations that have expertise in an area related to ELO programming, staffing and partnership development. Each CoE developed professional development and curriculum resources, as well as shared best practices to statewide audiences to help Nebraska afterschool programs build capacity and enhance quality.  

Content areas are listed below.  In addition to the resources listed below, coaching may also be available to Nebraska ELO programs.  Please contact Sandy Day at sday@nebraskachildren.org if you are interested in coaching regarding specific content listed below.  

Civic Engagement 

https://www.civicnebraska.org/

K-12_Civic Participation Through Service Learning Overview

K-12_Community Engagement Through Service Learning

Professional Development Workshops

https://collectiveforyouth.org

Collective for Youth offers numerous learning opportunities for youth development professionals that are designed to improve practices and outcomes, including regularly scheduled community workshops as well as customized trainings. Training participants usually receive childcare training hour credits for licensed school-age programs in Nebraska. 

Cozad Afterschool Program: Gardening

K-8 Gardening overview

Gardening Training and PD Video–check back soon for Training Video Series

Nebraska Game and Parks

https://outdoornebraska.gov/educationalresources/

K-2_Growing Up Wild Afterschool Club & 3-5_Bird Club overview

Wildlife Education Programming & Resources

Wild Curriculum Guides

Lexington Afterschool Program: High School Student Staffing Model

https://www.lexschools.org/program-services/after-school/

K-8_Utilizing HS students as program staff overview

*For coaching and support with this model from Lexington’s program director, contact bsbinfo@nebraskachildren.org

Lincoln Community Learning Centers

https://clc.lps.org

K_12_Full-Service Community School (FSCS) Model and the CLC Strategy (Lincoln CLC) overview

Webinar Series Overview Video

North Platte Public Schools Kids Klub

https://www.nppsd.org/o/kids-klub

K-12_Community Partnerships-Developing Partnerships and Improving Program Quality, Sustainability Overview

*For coaching and support with this model from Kid’s Klub program director, contact bsbinfo@nebraskachildren.org

Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

https://www.omahazoo.com/education

K-12_Ocean Health at Sea Lion Shores overview

Virtual Classes and Programs

Sea Lion Shores Curriculum–Coming Soon

Rabble Mill/The Bay

https://rabblemill.org

4-8_Using Technology to Deliver Action-Oriented Programming overview

Capture It & Creatives’ Collective Curricula:

Go Live Curricula:

Skate School Curricula:

Shoebox Science Kits 

https://museum.unl.edu/education/

UNL Morrill Hall  Fourteen shoebox kits to choose from.  Small specimen collections included in the kits with an activity guide for educational use. 

Morrill Hall Shoebox Science Kits–Powerpoint

UNO STEM 4 U

https://www.unomaha.edu/academic-affairs/ne-stem-for-u/index.php

UNO STEM4U provides quality educational after school activities focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for K-12 students

STEM 4U Character Introductions

STEM4U Career Videos

Aquaponics and Gardening

https://whisperingroots.org/

Whispering Roots educates students in “Next Generation” farming techniques, hunger alleviation strategies and healthy food production through classroom instruction and hands on learning. 

Gardening and Growing PD Videos (15 videos)

Wildlife Safari Park

http://www.wildlifesafaripark.com/

Educational Programs

Nebraska Pollinators Curricula: contact the Education Department at (402) 738-2092 for more information.

Resources have been developed, researched and tested by Beyond School Bells.