Nebraska Extension's Lodl Honored by National Afterschool Association

April 8, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. — Kathleen Lodl, associate dean for Nebraska Extension, has been selected as one of the most influential in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by the National AfterSchool Association.

Lodl will be profiled on the cover and in the spring edition of AfterSchool Today magazine. The magazine serves as the official publication of NAA and recognizes innovators who bring STEM education to new levels of depth, creativity and enrichment.

Lodl has been with Nebraska Extension since 1992 and has served as associate dean and state 4-H program administrator since 2008. "Kathleen has been a national leader for building new science curriculum in 4-H," said extension dean and director Chuck Hibberd. In addition, Lodl is the principle investigator for Click2SciencePD, which was formed to increase the science skills of out-of-school-time trainers who provide professional development to front line staff.

"Increasing young people's interest in and knowledge of STEM is critical to their future success, and to filling the pipeline of innovative STEM careers of the future," Lodl said. Nebraska Extension is part of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Its goal is to help Nebraskans transform knowledge into know-how and make important, fact-based decisions for their businesses, families and communities. Extension has 83 offices across Nebraska serving all 93 counties in the state.

NAA is the membership association for professionals who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings to provide a wide variety of extended learning opportunities and care during out-of-school hours. The mission of the NAA is to foster development, provide education and encourage advocacy for the out-of-school-time community.