2018 Summer Academy participants

The Sovereign Native Youth STEM Leadership Academy is a summer program that exposes Native American high-school aged students to STEM and transportation related opportunities after high school and equips them with leadership skills to succeed.

Participants are empowered to positively impact their tribal communities while gaining a greater appreciation for Native American Culture

The 2018 Academy took place on the campus of University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) June 24th - 29th, and brought together both university and high school students, Native professionals, UNL faculty, and other distinguished guests.

Program Schedule

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Time Agenda Item Speaker(s) Location
12:00 - 1:00 PM Participant Arrival Union College
4880 Prescott Ave, Lincoln NE
1:00 - 1:30 PM Pre-Academy Evaluations & Academy Introductions Ortner Center, Union College
Shawnee-Porter Care Conference Room
1:30 - 2:00 PM Welcome Lunch
2:00 - 2:20 PM Transition from Union College to UNL City Campus
2:20 - 4:30 PM Scavenger Hunt UNL City Campus
4:30 - 5:15 PM Planetarium Show
Mayan Archaeoastronomy
Morrill Hall
645 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE
Mueller Planetarium
5:15 - 6:15 PM Overview of Summer Academy Project Morrill Hall
Education Classroom
6:15 - 8:15 PM Transition from Morrill Hall to Union College
8:35 - 10:00 PM Supervised Activities Ortner Center, Union College
10:00 PM Curfew and Roll Call

Monday, June 25, 2018

Time Agenda Item Speaker(s) Location
7:40 - 7:45 AM Morning Roll Call Ortner Center, Union College
7:45 - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 AM Transition from Ortner Center to UNL Innovation Campus
9:00 - 9:30 AM Tour of Innovation Studio Innovation Studio
2021 Transformation Dr #1500, Lincoln, NE
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Boat Activity (Part 1) Dr. Chris Cornelius
Ms. Sydney James
Innovation Studio
12:00 - 12:45 PM Lunch The Mill, Innovation Campus
12:45 - 1:45 PM Native Experiences Panel Ms. Channing Thompson
Mr. Vaughn Vargas
Ms. Kirby Williams
Ms. Rebekka Schlichting
Ms. Leah Belgarde
1:45 - 2:15 PM Breakout Sessions Nebraska Innovation Campus
2:15 - 5:00 PM Boat Activity (Part 2) Dr. Chris Cornelius
Ms. Sydney James
Innovation Studio
5:00 - 5:15 PM Transition from Innovation Campus to East Campus
5:15 - 7:00 PM Dinner & Bowling Party East Campus Union
1705 Arbor Drive, Lincoln, NE
Lanes 'n' Games
7:00 - 7:20 PM Transition from East Campus to Union College
7:20 - 10:00 PM Supervised Activities Ortner Center, Union College
10:00 PM Curfew and Roll Call

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Time Agenda Item Speaker(s) Location
7:25 - 7:30 AM Morning Roll Call Ortner Center, Union College
7:30 - 8:10 AM Breakfast
8:10 - 8:30 AM Transition from Union College to Encompass Architects
8:30 - 9:15 AM Encompass Architects Ms. Tammy Eagle Bull Encompass Architects
720 O St, Lincoln, NE
9:15 - 9:30 AM Transition from Encompass Architects to Nebraska History Museum
9:30 - 11:45 AM Nebraska History Museum Nebraska History Museum
131 Centennial Mall, Lincoln, NE
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM Transition from History Museum to Governor's Mansion
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch Ms. Susanne Shore Governor's Mansion
1425 H St, Lincoln, NE
1:00 - 2:15 PM Tour of Legislative Chamber Senator Tom Brewer Nebraska State Capitol
1445 K St, Lincoln, NE
2:15 - 2:30 PM Transition from Capitol to Great Plains Art Museum
2:30 - 5:30 PM Gallery Tour & Art Project Featured Artist: Henry Payer Great Plains Art Museum
1155 Q St, Lincoln, NE
5:30 - 6:30 PM Dinner
6:30 - 7:30 PM Movie: The Mayors of Shiprock
7:30 - 7:45 PM Transition from Art Museum to Union College
7:45 - 10:00 PM Supervised Activities Ortner Center, Union College
10:00 PM Curfew and Roll Call

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Time Agenda Item Speaker(s) Location
7:40 - 7:45 AM Morning Roll Call Ortner Center, Union College
7:45 - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 - 9:45 AM Transition from Union College to University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
9:45 AM - 12:00 PM Tour of UNMC University of Nebraska Medical Center
Emile St & S 42nd St, Omaha, NE
12:00 - 12:15 PM Transition from UNMC to National Park Service Office
12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch and Presentation at National Park Service Mr. Reed Robinson National Park Service Midwest Regional Office
601 Riverfront Dr, Omaha, NE
2:00 - 3:00 PM Transition from National Park Service Office to Duncan Aviation
3:00 - 4:00 PM Tour of Duncan Aviation Duncan Aviation
3701 Aviation Rd, Lincoln, NE
4:00 - 5:30 PM Helicopter Activity Senator Tom Brewer Nebraska National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
2433 NW 24th St, Lincoln, NE
5:30 - 6:00 PM Transition from Duncan Aviation to Union College
6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner Ortner Center, Union College
7:00 - 10:00 PM Supervised Activities
10:00 Curfew and Roll Call

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Time Agenda Item Speaker(s) Location
7:40 - 7:45 AM Morning Roll Call Ortner Center, Union College
7:45 - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 AM Transition from Union College to Innovation Campus
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM DIY Remote Control Boats (Part 1) Dr. Chris Cornelius
Ms. Sydney James
Innovation Studio
12:00 - 12:45 PM Lunch The Mill, Innovation Studio
12:45 - 1:45 PM Native Career Pathways Panel Ms. Shirley Sneve
Ms. Crystal Ross
Ms. Kate Martz
Dr. Colette Polite
Ms. Larry Voegele
1:45 - 2:15 PM Breakout Sessions Nebraska Innovation Campus
2:15 - 4:45 PM DIY Remote Control Boats (Part 2) Dr. Chris Cornelius
Ms. Sydney James
Innovation Studio
4:45 - 5:00 PM Transition from Innovation Campus to Union College
5:00 - 5:30 PM Dress for Formal Dinner Ortner Center, Union College
5:30 - 5:45 PM Transition from Union College to Prem S. Paul Research Center at Whittier School
5:45 - 7:45 PM Formal Dinner Dr. Chris Cornelius Prem S. Paul Research Center
2200 Vine St, Lincoln, NE
Foyer, Second Floor
7:45 - 8:00 PM Transition from Prem S. Paul Research Center to Union College
8:00 - 10:00 PM Supervised Activities Ortner Center, Union College
10:00 PM Curfew and Roll Call

Friday, June 29, 2018

Time Agenda Item Speaker(s) Location
7:40 - 7:45 AM Morning Roll Call Ortner Center, Union College
7:45 - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 AM Transition from Union College to East Campus
9:00 - 11:15 AM Preparation for Solar Oven Cook-off East Campus Union
Great Plains Room
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM College Admissions Panel Ms. Dawne Price
Ms. Taryn Ross
12:00 - 2:00 PM Closing Ceremony
2:00 - 2:30 PM Post-Academy Survey
2:30 PM Adjourn & Board Buses to Return Home

The Mid-America Transportation Center and Nebraska Transportation Center greatly appreciate and acknowledge the generous support of:

NCIA

Claire M. Hubbard Foundation

College Vising Grant, UNL Office of Admissions

SEPA

Senator Jim Scheer

UNMC

Office of the President, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Great Plains Art Museum logo
USDOT
UPR

Sovereign Native Youth Leadership