By Sam Peshek, University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Communications. Published on June 10, 2021. UNO is a member of Bio Nebraska.
If students knew that what they learned in science, technology, engineering and math courses could make a difference in the world and their community, would they pursue related careers?
That question is what compelled University of Nebraska at Omaha Professor Chris Moore – an expert on chemistry and physics education – to author high school curricula that are the first chemistry and physics programs to fully align with Nebraska’s new college- and career-ready standards for science.
This authentic learning approach challenges students to explore STEM topics that are grounded in real science, such as connecting gas laws to the high winds that sweep across Nebraska and fuel wildfires in California or learning about acids and bases by examining data on ocean acidification.