Scottsbluff High School Students Become Published Authors Through STEM Literacy Project
Several Scottsbluff High School students can now add “published author” to their resumes thanks to an innovative enrichment project that blended STEM, literacy, and creativity. Students in Shelby Aaberg’s Enrichment Mathematics class spent the spring semester writing and illustrating their own STEM-themed children’s books through the Unite for Literacy Project, a collaborative effort with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering and Beyond School Bells.
Each week, students participated in writing workshops where they selected a STEM topic, conducted research, and created books aimed at readers in grades 3–8. Working independently or in small groups, students wrote engaging texts and curated public domain images to serve as illustrations. Every book underwent a thorough review process for scientific accuracy and grammar.
Students who participated in the project:
Aiden Argo
Brodie Armstrong
River Baily-Nolde
Micah Cross
Jacob Green
Landen Heine
Joseph Jolliffe
Sebastian Kissick
Jayden Lindley
Kaidenz McDaniel
Wyatt Nerud
Logan Polk
Hannah White
Topics ranged from photosynthesis and butterfly metamorphosis to tornadoes, birds, water, pollinators, and more. Each digital book features narration—recorded by the author or fellow students—and is now available to the public, libraries, and schools, for free on the Unite for Literacy website: https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/bsbne/review.
“This project gave students a unique opportunity to apply their STEM knowledge in a creative, meaningful way,” said Aaberg. “They became teachers, storytellers, and contributors to the broader educational community.”
In addition to providing an engaging, hands-on learning experience, the project served as a fundraiser for the SHS Math Team and included mentorship from UNL College of Engineering faculty and students. The collaboration builds on previous enrichment efforts; last fall, students created video tutorials for STEM Enrichment Backpacks, now available in libraries across Nebraska.
Through storytelling, science, and service, Scottsbluff High School students are helping spark curiosity and learning in young readers across the state—and beyond.
About Beyond School Bells: Beyond School Bells (BSB) is an initiative of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF). The mission of NCFF is to create positive change for Nebraska’s children through community engagement. As Nebraska's Statewide Afterschool Network (SAN), BSB focuses on supporting Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) for children in grades K-12 across Nebraska, which provide hands-on, engaging learning opportunities for students outside of the regular school day.