CEHS is hosting its second “Spark Talk” on Friday Feb. 6th from 3-5 in MABL 242. Spark Talks are intended to bring together a diverse set of faculty with an interest in a common theme/thread. The outcome of Spark Talks are to develop interdisciplinary connections and to build teams to further pursue and address issues of interest. This Spark Talk will be hosted by Jon Pedersen and Iheoma U. Iruka, director of research and evaluation, Buffett Early Childhood Institute. Iheoma will be facilitating the discussion and individuals from Omaha and Lincoln are invited to be part of this discussion. The focus of the discussion on the 6th will be: Innovative Considerations and Approaches to Address the Achievement/Opportunity Gap. Here are some guiding questions for the discussion:
1) What are the etiologies for the achievement/opportunity gap? Are they individual, family, systems, genetic, environment?
2) What are some promising or proven strategies for combating the achievement/opportunity gap? Are they universal, specific for subgroups of children, families?
3) What is the alignment or relation between the achievement gap, and other disparities in other areas (e.g., health, social work, technology access)?
4) Should investment be focused on individuals or system level? Why?
5) How can CEHS and other researchers get their arms around such a big concept?

Because space is limited, the attendance is first come, first served) and capped at 15. Please email Jon Pedersen (jep@unl.edu) by Jan. 30 and let him know that you are interested in attending.