Nebraska Innovation Studio is launching an undergraduate fellowship program designed to bolster student portfolios and resumes while also making an impact on children across the state.
Innovation Studio is seeking undergraduate student applicants for the inaugural Innovation Fellows program. Fellows receive $5,000 to join a design team and work with leading educational professionals from Beyond School Bells to develop informal learning experiences and activities for after-school programs.
The activities are organized through Think Make Create Labs, a project of Beyond School Bells, in partnership with Nebraska Extension. The labs, which traverse Nebraska via enclosed trailers, allow elementary and middle school students to tinker, problem solve and explore. All activities in the mobile maker spaces promote student creativity and hands-on learning.
Seven of the Think Make Create Labs are available, with three more trailers being added in 2018.
Applicants for the program should have interest in areas such as design, art, computer science, curriculum development and science, technology, engineering and math.
David Martin, director of Innovation Studio, said the partnership between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and Beyond School Bells is a perfect representation of Innovation Studio’s mission of strengthening the state through creativity, innovation and collaboration.
“This is the first of many opportunities like this that we’re working on,” Martin said.
The fellowship, which is funded by Beyond School Bells, will last 10 months and students chosen will work on the project 10 hours per week.
“The collaboration, design and learning these students will experience is an unparalleled opportunity for undergraduates to build their portfolios and resumes,” Martin said.
The fellowship will be led by Martin; Jeff Cole, associate vice president of school-community partnerships for Nebraska Children and Families Foundation; and Max Cuppens, head of design for Think Make Create Labs.
Martin said he hopes faculty members will encourage talented students to apply.
The application deadline is Jan. 15.
To apply, students must submit a 500-word essay describing their unique skills and expertise and their interest in the project. They can also attach their portfolios or relevant work examples. Entries should be emailed to ELOinnovationfellows@gmail.com. Finalists will be chosen for an interview.
