Article by Kelly Stenka
On Nov. 19, dual-credit chemistry students from Norris High School visited Doane University for an in-depth look at college-level chemistry and STEM learning. The visit, organized by Chris Huber, associate professor of chemistry at Doane, offered students hands-on experiences in the university's chemistry labs and an introduction to the many STEM opportunities available at Doane.
One highlight of the visit was the Know Your Well program, a collaborative citizen science initiative that trains high school students to sample and test well water quality. Through the program, students collect water samples, analyze them in their classroom, and compare their results with tests conducted at the University of Nebraska’s Water Sciences Laboratory. They also gather land use and environmental data to assess vulnerability to contamination. The program benefits both Nebraska well owners, who receive water quality reports, and students, who gain practical skills and insight into groundwater science.
Katy Dornbos, Norris High School science teacher and dual-credit instructor, expressed enthusiasm for her students' involvement in the program. “I hope that they understand that they can participate in citizen science and that there are ways to help answer questions that sometimes just get reported on the news as a sound bite, or almost out of fear,” Dornbos said. “There are people doing things that help our society understand what is going on.”
Norris students shared diverse interests in health sciences, math, agriculture and engineering. Doane’s liberal arts approach supports students with broad interests by helping them develop transferable problem-solving skills, gain significant laboratory experience, and explore applications across various disciplines. Research opportunities at Doane often address interdisciplinary topics and encourage collaboration between faculty and students, equipping participants with both qualitative and quantitative analytical skills applicable to a wide range of careers.
