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© Beyond School Bells Toolkit

Centers of Excellence

Nebraska Centers of Excellence

Center of Excellence (CoE) grants have been awarded to Nebraska school- and community-based Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) programs, nonprofit organizations, and industry leaders that have expertise in an area related to ELO needs. Each CoE develops professional development materials or curriculum resources, as well as shares best practices to Afterschool audiences across the state to help build capacity and enhance quality in Nebraska's Afterschool programs.   

Content areas are listed below. In addition to the resources listed below, coaching may also be available to Nebraska ELO programs by Beyond School Bells staff.  Please contact Alison O’Toole (aotoole@nebraskachidlren.org) if you are interested in coaching regarding specific content listed below.    


Civic Engagement-Service Learning 

https://www.civicnebraska.org/

Civic Nebraska creates a more modern, robust democracy for all Nebraskans via youth civic leadership, civic health programs, and voting rights initiatives.  As part of a BSB Service Learning Center of Excellence, Civic Nebraska developed a hub for professional development, resources, and information about service-learning projects in Greater Nebraska. 

For questions regarding Civic Nebraska resources, reach out to their Director of Youth Civic Leadership Programs. For questions regarding Beyond School Bells support to service-learning, reach out to Dakota Staggs at Beyond School Bells (dstaggs@nebraskachildren.org) 


Collective for Youth: 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.

Collective for Youth: Online Resources for Families, Intermediaries, Educators and Caregivers.  


Wildlife Education

https://outdoornebraska.gov/educationalresources/

Nebraska Game and Parks works to connect people to the natural world and supports conservation in Nebraska.

Nebraska Game and Parks offers amazing resources to all of Nebraska Expanded Learning Opportunity providers through their Education Programs, Lesson Plans, Wildlife Education Trunks, Service-learning opportunities, Trail Tales, Watchable wildlife guides, virtual education resources, outdoor classroom guidance, and more.  

Wildlife Education Programming & Resources

Wild Curriculum Guides


High School Student Staffing Model

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

Lexington Afterschool Programs: Lexington Community Learning Centers was one of the first programs in Nebraska to implement a staffing model that engages and empowers high school students. Their model is built to provide real-world workforce experience to High School youth and enrich the afterschool experience of middle and elementary school students with a near-peer learning model. To learn more about Teens as Teachers models, contact Stephanie Vadnais (svadnais@nebraskachildren.org). 


Full Service Community Schools

https://clc.lps.org

Lincoln Community Learning Centers provide a delivery model to support youth, families, and neighborhoods as they strive to be successful, thriving, and strong. 

Webinar Series Overview Videos


Developing Local Partnerships

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

North Platte Public Schools Kids Klub *For coaching and support with this model from Kid’s Klub program director, contact Carrie Lienemann at clienemann@nppsd.org


Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

https://www.omahazoo.com/education

Free Educational Resources (omahazoo.com)

Virtual Classes and Programs

Sea Lion Shores Curriculum: Students will focus on ocean health information, advocacy, and
engagement opportunities with emphasis on preserving biological diversity. Lessons focus on ocean health challenges faced by ocean wildlife (especially sea lions) and the conservation of the ocean.  


Action-Oriented Programming Delivered Online

https://rabblemill.org

Rabble Mill/The Bay has transformed The Bay’s in-real-life counterculture programming — skateboarding, music, and art — into three program tracks designed to uniquely engage upper elementary and middle school students: Skate School, Go Live (digital music), and Capture
It (digital photography)

Capture It & Creatives’ Collective Curricula:

Go Live Curricula:

Skate School Curricula:

Youth Videography Club:

  • Short Videos to support youth in developing their videography skills

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. Available for reservation for pick-up or mail delivery. Five activities in each box, including materials and activity guides.

Morrill Hall Shoebox Science Kits–Powerpoint

Virtual learning field trips are available for free to Nebraska schools and afterschool programs. 45-minute zoom tours of a museum exhibit with engaging discussion and questions. 

Virtual Learning field trips


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)

STEM activities


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.