Geitner Simmons, IANR Media

A collaboration between the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Omaha Public Schools is enabling hundreds of high school students to visit the university’s East Campus this academic year to boost their agricultural and natural resources awareness. The visits also highlight the range of educational pathways provided by the college.

More than 600 OPS students visited in October and November, with visits by a similar number of students planned for January and March. In all, five OPS high schools will participate in the East Campus visits.

“We are excited to support students as they explore postsecondary opportunities available in Nebraska through CASNR at the UNL campus,” said Jane Luethge, Omaha Public Schools’ teaching and learning consultant. “Students are engaging in hands-on activities and experiencing a college tour. As part of our College and Career Continuum, Omaha Public Schools is committed to providing a college visit for all freshmen, and we are thrilled to partner with our colleagues at UNL for this enriching experience.”

During their visits, students explore topics relating to animal biology, food science, soil analysis, veterinary science, entrepreneurship, fisheries and wildlife, microbiology, communications, forensic science and statistics.

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“I learned a lot,” Omaha North student Syriss Harris said about the soil science presentations. “I thought soil was just earth, water and some minerals, but as the instructor started talking, I started learning more and more. The video also taught me a lot.”  

The coordination is about preparing the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and leaders in the resilient food, energy, water and social systems, said CASNR Dean Tiffany Heng-Moss.

The East Campus visits aim to boost OPS students’ awareness of the wide range of career options 21st-century agriculture provides. The university lists more than 300 ag- and natural resources-focused career choices for students. Professional options include lab technician, forester, plant biologist, precision ag technologist, meteorologist, business analyst and communications professional.

Sponsors for the visits are Farm Credit Services, Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, members of Ag Builders of Nebraska, and ag and natural resources commodity groups and industries across the state.

Informational sessions and in-person visits have multiple benefits for the students, said Bailey Feit, the CASNR/Lincoln Public Schools early college and career pathways coordinator.

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“Visiting campus and exploring the diverse opportunities available allows these young learners and future leaders to get a sense of college life and see themselves on campus in the future,” said Feit, who directs CASNR’s outreach to Lincoln Northeast High School through the FEWSS program focusing on food, energy, water and societal systems.

The visits allow the OPS students to develop an understanding of how much agriculture and natural resources impact their everyday lives, said Tammy Mittelstet, CASNR’s statewide education and career pathways coordinator.

“This gives them a first glimpse of how many potential education pathways and careers are available in agriculture and natural resources within the state of Nebraska,” she said.