Educational Service Unit No 5 offers interactive learning opportunities for schools within ESU 5 boundaries and beyond. In these classes, the teachers reside at ESU 5 and provide class via distance learning systems.
ESU 5 is currently in its 16th year of providing a variety of interactive distance learning opportunities to school districts through the use of desktop videoconferencing systems.
Science
The science program has two teachers who provide instruction to over 50 sections in grade levels 3-6 in 11 school districts serving over 1,500 students. Classes are offered on a quarterly, biweekly or weekly basis throughout the school year. Our two science teachers develop and deliver the curriculum in a hands-on, inquiry-based method. The science curriculum is built to make science exciting for students in an effort to raise their interest in science classes and science-based professions.
In addition to the center-based science classes, ESU 5 also offers summer science camps to area schools. These 2-day science camps are hosted by ESU 5 staff at each specific school site. Our camps offer eight fun, hands-on science activities for students in grades 4-6. These camps have, in the past, included bridge building challenges, programming robots, building rockets, making gummi worms, and so much more!
Contact Annette Weise, Alternative Program Director, for additional information.
Email: aweise@esu5.org
World Language
The ESU 5 World Language Program is rooted in NDE’s World Language Standards. We incorporate digital learning best practices into a distance learning context.
We seek to address the acute teacher shortage of World Language teachers across rural Nebraska by providing access to high quality, synchronous classes conducted via Zoom. ESU 5’s DL WL Program has grown from 1 teacher serving 2 school districts in the 19-20 academic year to now employing 7 teachers serving 16 school districts in the 22-23 school year. Educators teach from studios equipped with high quality audio visual systems from studios at ESU 5 in Beatrice and ESU 3 in La Vista.
Spanish course offerings include:
- Spanish 1
- Spanish 2
- Spanish 3/4 - Dual Credit 1 offered in collaboration with Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU 1010 and 1020)
- Spanish 5 - Dual Credit 2 offered in collaboration with Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU 2010)
Classes occur daily and meet college requirements for two years of World Language.
Contact Dr. Nick Ziegler, World Language Coordinator, for additional information.
Email: nziegler@esu5.org