IANR – Cory T Forbes

2017 Nebraska K-12 Science Education Summit

corytforbes — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 23:26:57 +0000

For the second consecutive year, Sara Cooper, Science Education Director at the Nebraska Department of Education, and I had the distinct pleasure of welcoming science teachers, administrators, university faculty, and policymakers from around the state at the Nebraska K-12 Science Education Summit. This year’s event featured a workshop on the Next Generation Science Standards, invited talks by Dr. Phil Bell, Professor and Shauna C. Larson Chair in Learning Sciences at the University of Washington, and Dr. Christine Cutucache, Associate Professor and Haddix Community Chair of Science at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, as well as nearly 40 presentations of innovative science education curricula, resources, and other programs. Co-sponsored the Nebraska Department of Education, IANR Science Literacy, NebraskaSCIENCE, the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education, Nebraska 4-H, and the Nebraska Collaborative for Food, Energy, & Water Education, the 2017 Summit drew over 250 participants and showcased the recent adoption of Nebraska’s new state science standards. Be sure to check out media coverage from UNL and ABC Channel 8 KLKN-TV.

2016 Nebraska K-12 Science Education Summit

corytforbes — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:59:13 +0000

On Monday, December 12th, over 175 science educators from across the state of Nebraska had the opportunity to come together at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln for the Nebraska K-12 Science Education Summit. Organized and led by Sara Cooper, Science Education Director at the Nebraska Department of Education, and I, the event provided a forum for science education administrators, science teachers, STEM faculty, and stakeholders to engage in statewide discussions about K-12 science education efforts. This included a workshop on the Next Generation Science Standards and Nebraska state science standards, as well as concurrent sessions in which UNL faculty and others shared innovative science education resources and strategies with practitioners. We were fortunate to have Chancellor Ronnie Green stop by in the afternoon to welcome attendees and provide some critical insights into the importance of collaboration between K-12 schools and the NU system. The event was co-sponsored the Nebraska Department of Education, IANR Science Literacy, NebraskaSCIENCE, the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education, Nebraska 4-H, and the Nebraska Collaborative for Food, Energy, & Water Education. This was a wonderfully productive experience for all involved and we look forward to holding the event again in future years to enhance and synergize the teaching and learning of science in Nebraska.

2017 UNL STEM Education Research Retreat

corytforbes — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:55:42 +0000

In October, the 2017 STEM Education Research Retreat was held on East Campus in Hardin Hall in partnership between the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education, IANR Science Literacy, and the Nebraska Collaborative for Food, Energy, & Water Education. Over 75 UNL faculty, postdocs, and graduate students representing nearly all of UNL’s academic Colleges and Extension participated in this year’s event. Over 30 posters were presented in two consecutive poster sessions, showcasing the high-quality and innovative STEM education research being conducted at the university and across the state. Participants also participated in an interactive webinar with NSF Program Officers to learn more about the NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) funding program. It was a pleasure to co-plan and host this event in conjunction with colleagues from across campuses. Kudos to Devarati Bhattacharya, Erin Ingram, Tina Vo, Diane Lally, Kari Nelson, Destini Petitt, and McKenzie Peterson for presenting their research, including work from the MoHSES, WELL, and UnICORN projects.

Science Literacy on 10/11 News Pure Nebraska

corytforbes — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 15:27:45 +0000

This past week I had the opportunity to visit the KOLN/KGIN – 10/11 News studios and share a bit about the Science Literacy Initiative as part of their Pure Nebraska segment. It was a great experience, thanks to Jon and Taryn for their hospitality.

Dr. Jan Schubert visits UNL

corytforbes — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:25:39 +0000

During the month of August, IANR and UNL hosted Jan C. Schubert, Ph.D. as a visiting scholar from Germany. Dr. Schubert is Professor for Geographical and Geoscience Education at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. During his stay, he gave an invited presentation as part of the 2015 Science Literacy seminar serites, entitled, How does German schnitzel effect the environment? Preparing students and teachers for a scientifically-literate society through STEM-based education, in which he shared information and research focused on an environmental science course for preservice secondary science teachers in Germany. Dr. Schubert’s work provides a model for innovative STEM teacher education efforts at the undergraduate level that integrate experiences with science, scientific research, and pedagogy. During his stay, he was also able to participate in teacher professional development workshops associated with the TASRs program, observe AGRI 103, and work collaboratively on a new project focused on research and development on 6th-grade students’ STEM-informed decision-making about wind energy. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with Dr. Schubert and future opportunities to work together and learn from one another.

NCAL in the news

corytforbes — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:37:08 +0000

An article in this week’s Lincoln Journal Star highlights the work we’re doing as part of the National Center for Agricultural Literacy. This initial phase of the center’s life will lay the foundation for longer-term work to support nationwide K-12 science and ag literacy efforts in partnership with the Agriculture in the Classroom program. We’re looking forward to our upcoming summer program linking high school science teachers with IANR researchers to produce science instructional materials grounded in ag and natural resource topics and issues.

Science Literacy ‘Big Ideas’ Seminar at UNL

corytforbes — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:18:35 +0000

UNL’s 2014 ‘Big Ideas’ Seminar series kicks off on February 19 with a 1-day event showcasing science literacy. Breakout sessions beginning at 1:00 will highlight systems thinking around food, energy, and water systems, informal science education, early childhood education, the role of rural family-school partnerships. Dr. Rodger Bybee will give a presentation at 3:00 entitled “Building Science Literacy through Engagement in Community and Environmental Stewardship”. Seminar co-sponsors include IANR; UNL Extension; Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies; College of Education and Human Sciences; and Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools. It will be a fantastic opportunity to engage with state partners and learn more about science literacy.

UNL IANR science literacy press

corytforbes — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 02:39:02 +0000

Here is a sampling of media coverage of the large cluster hire undertaken by UNL’s Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, including the personnel associated with the Science Literacy Initiative.

From NebraskaSCIENCE – New science education hires at UNL

From IANR News – New Science Literacy Initiative Faculty On Board at UNL

From the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute – UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces new positions

From the Omaha World Herald – UNL to add 36 ag-related professors by 2014

From IANR (video via YouTube) – IANR New Faculty Positions

Moving to UNL!

corytforbes — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:56:26 +0000

It’s official, this fall I’ll be transitioning to a new position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) as Associate Professor of Science Education in the School of Natural Resources (SNR) and Science Literacy Coordinator for the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). I’m super excited to join an amazing group of STEM scholars and begin the next stage of my professional career. Thanks to family, friends, and colleagues who have been so supportive in this process. We’re moving to Lincoln!