Huskers After-School and Summer Learning Opportunities
Overview
After-school and extended learning opportunities can have a life-changing influence on children. Research indicates that programs that support the learning that takes place during the school day can improve educational outcomes and build positive life skills. Thoughtfully crafted programs help boost students’ academic performance and increase the likelihood of graduating from high school (After School Alliance, 2014). These programs provide structure, support, and supervision that can help children succeed in the classroom.
Digitization, globalization and now the COVID-19 pandemic mean that the job of educators -- whether it is K-12 or higher education -- will increasingly be to equip young people with the curiosity and passion to be lifelong learners. In the past year, the learning gap has only widened, meaning that K-12 students without afterschool or expanded learning opportunities have the potential to fall even further behind their peers. Huskers After-School and Summer Learning Opportunities (HALO) initiative benefits K-12 students and their site coordinators while allowing college students to practice and develop professional skills. The intersection of educational innovation and community need is where college-level students come in to provide engaging, exciting, and innovative activities for K-12 youth. To provide vital enrichment programming and to inspire Nebraska youth, UNL will provide both on-line and in-person activities, developing their own passion-driven clubs; piloting innovative curricula; facilitating existing online materials; and assisting program staff in communities hit hardest by COVID-19.
Purpose
HALO will provide Nebraska families with safe and innovative educational opportunities by engaging energetic high-ability college students. Through HALO high-energy undergraduate UNL students will be invited to create and lead engaging programs, such as art, music, health and wellness, STEM education, environment and sustainability, global education and recreation programs that reinforce and complement student learning. We have identified the following objectives:
• Reduce summer-learning loss for K-12 students.
• Create near-peer mentoring opportunities.
• Increase the well-being of children and youth.
• Nurture participants intellectual curiosity.
• Develop lifelong learners.
• Increase self-confidence and self-awareness.
• Improve participants performance in and attitude toward school.
HALO supports several of the N2025 core goals, principally its aim to “innovate student experiences that prepare graduates for life-long learning” by allowing them to co-create their education, developing innovative materials that excite, engage, and inspire Nebraska youth, responding to community needs and transforming lives.
By participating in HALO, UNL students will:
• Develop effective leadership and communication skills.
• Practice and improve critical thinking, problem solving, and adaptability.
• Develop greater empathy and awareness of community needs.
• Learn about the impact of civic engagement on the community.
Collaborations and Partnerships
HALO aims to meet the program objectives through collaborations and partnerships across the campus and in the community. Community partners include Beyond School Bells, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Lincoln’s Community Learning Centers (CLC), the Clyde Malone Community Center, Civic Nebraska, Grand Island Public Schools, YMCA.
Action Plan
UNL students interested in participating in HALO will complete an application (https://honors.unl.edu/haslo). We will do our best to provide an in-person or on-line match, depending on student interest and availability.
Themes
1. Environmental education, ecology and nature
2. Arts and Music (writing, performing, design, crafts)
3. Literacy
4. Life skills building (health and well-being, nutrition, academic activities etc.)
5. STEM (Science, technology, engineering & math)
6. Global education (Language, geography, culture clubs)
7. Recreational sports/activities
Program Proposals
These programs vary in terms of days, locations, and partners. We will work to accommodate UNL student interests and schedules through an intentional matching process.
Funding Plan
Funding for HALO will be supported by CARES Act funding and the University Honors Program.
The Application
Huskers After-School and Summer Learning Opportunities (HALO): https://honors.unl.edu/haslo.
Students can work between 40-120 hours. If a student wants to fulfill Honors requirements, they must fulfill 80 hours.
If you have any questions, please contact the Honors Office:
Phone: (402)-472-5425
Email: uhon-office@unl.edu