UNMC events and science outreach coordinator Kacie Baum received the 2017 Friend of Science Award from the Nebraska Academy of Sciences during its annual meeting in April.
The award is the academy’s highest honor and recognizes “dedication to science as well as both formal and informal science education.”
Baum launched a monthly Science Cafe in 2009 to increase the population’s science literacy. To date, more than 100 science cafes have taken place in Omaha, Lincoln and Scottsbluff.
The Science Cafe is a free educational event sponsored by UNMC and other groups. Baum also was instrumental in the creation of the Nebraska Science Festival, which capped its fifth year in April with more than 100-plus science-related activities for all ages in communities across Nebraska.
Past Friend of Science Awards have been given to UNMC’s James Turpen, Ph.D., 2016, and Maurice Godfrey, Ph.D., 2012.
Congratulations, Kacie. You made it happen! Sandy Goodman
Congratulations Kacie! This is certainly a well deserved honor. Your hard work, dedication and creative concepts have undoubtedly lead to many young folks discovering their love of science.
I consider Kacie a hero of STEM outreach in Nebraska. The Science Cafes and NE Sci Fest are some of the best events in Omaha.
Congratulations, Kacie! You've established a great forum for education and awareness. UNMC is fortunate to have you!
Congrats, Kacie! You are the Baum.com when it comes to sharing science! Well deserved.
I have worked with Kacie for a number of years, both within UNMC and in my role within a community science advocacy group. This award is totally deserved. Kacie does a fantastic job and is always a pleasure to work with. Thanks for all the things you do!
Congratulations! Well deserved award.
Huzzah, Kacie! You're the scienceiest and a great organizer!
Kacie, thanks for all of the great work you do to engage young people (and old people… there are always some of us at Science Cafe), and always doing it with a smile. You truly deserve this significant award.
Congratulations!
They could not have picked a better Friend of Science.
Kacie's work with the Science Cafe and the Nebraska Science Festival is beyond amazing. She understands how important it is to show people that science can be fun. She is a true ambassador for UNMC. She has taken our science literacy efforts from the depths of the minor leagues to the top of the majors. Job well done!