By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has expanded its Cultivate ACCESS initiative with the introduction of two innovative academic programs: Cultivate ACCESS to Data Science in Agriculture and Cultivate Resilience. These programs aim to inspire high school teachers and students by engaging them in agricultural STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics.
The programs connect high school students to undergraduate peer mentors, while teachers collaborate with university experts in data science and climate resilience. For the 2024-25 school year, 29 students from seven Nebraska high schools, including Grand Island, Kearney Catholic, Loup City, Madison, Norfolk, Omaha Bryan, and Omaha Westview, are participating.
The Data Science in Agriculture program introduces students and teachers to the importance of data in agriculture through an educational and interactive water management game. Students will meet with peer mentors, play the game, and participate in community action projects to share their knowledge of data science and its applications in agriculture. Teachers will provide feedback on the game and incorporate it into their curriculum.
The Cultivate Resilience program focuses on preparing students to address climate challenges while learning about climate resilience. Teachers work with university experts to create lesson plans that enhance students’ understanding of climate adaptation, innovative technologies, and problem-solving strategies. Both programs emphasize cultural responsiveness, fostering an understanding of diverse perspectives, and preparing participants for future careers in STEM and agriculture.
“Expanding Cultivate ACCESS with these new programs has been incredibly rewarding,” said Jenny Keshwani, team leader for the programs. “Hearing our high school students’ diverse passions and commitment to making a difference is truly inspiring. I look forward to seeing how they bring their community action projects to life this spring, sharing their knowledge and skills to create local impact.”
These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and are open to any Nebraska high school student or teacher. Applications for teachers are currently open, while student applications will open in early 2025. The next cohort begins in summer and fall 2025.
For more details, contact Jenny Keshwani at jkeshwani@unl.edu.
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Categories: Nebraska, Education