Western Nebraska Community College Information Technology and STEM Program

02/26/2026

The WNCC STEM Club will be visiting NIST this spring. NIST is one of the coolest places I have ever visited. NIST will show our students all their secret stuff. They know the students of today will be the leaders of tomorrow.

NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

02/26/2026

The format of Facebook is not conducive to blog type posts. I am moving all my WNCC related blog posts. Be there or be square! https://sites.google.com/view/williamaloringwncc/blog
FYI: This is the closest I will get to being in space 😁

02/26/2026

You’ve probably heard that time is relative. It sounds like a platitude, akin to “time flies when you’re having fun.”

But it’s no mere cliche: Time really is relative. It moves slightly more slowly when you’re at sea level than when you’re on top of a mountain or in an airplane.

We know this thanks to remarkable timekeeping technology invented at NIST – the atomic clock.

Learn more in our latest Taking Measure blog post: https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/putting-einstein-test-worlds-most-accurate-clocks

02/26/2026

Communication:

One of the things I have noticed with the latest generations of STEM students is that they communication seamlessly across multiple analog and digital platforms.

For example, they will start a conversation by email, reply to the same conversation in Facebook, and finish up the conversation Face to Face. This would be 3 exchanges of information like the TCP "three way handshake".

For a visual, imagine each nail or tack to be a method of communication. One sentence is sent from one nail to the next until the conversation is finished. Each conversation can have multiple sentences. Like an escape room, except you have to solve one puzzle per room.

I do lose track sometimes trying to follow their conversation "threads" and what they have said where. I am fortunate that I get to spend enough time with these leaders of tomorrow to keep up with them. (Most of the time.)

02/13/2026

Apply now!

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center is accepting scholarship submissions for 2026 with a deadline of April 1. To apply scan the QR code or visit https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1LE6WLZ7KKFV7H8

01/25/2026

An interesting job.

We're Hiring!

Join our team at Scotts Bluff National Monument as a GS-04 Administrative Support Clerk.
Are you organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about supporting mission-driven work? This entry-level position is a great opportunity to start your federal career and grow within a supportive team environment.

Position: Seasonal Administrative Support Clerk
Location: Gering, NE
Grade Level: GS-04
Salary Range: $17.64 to - $22.46 per hour
Application Period: 01/12/2026 – 01/16/2026
Apply Here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/852110400

Duties include:
Performing various clerical tasks involved with records management.
Composing correspondence, letters, memorandum and other documents.
Using automated systems to process routine and/or simple transactions.
Performing clerical tasks to ensure the proper maintenance and operation of a variety of office equipment.
Assisting with payroll, procurement, property management, fleet management, and/or general office supplies duties.

Who should apply?
This is a great fit for individuals with strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a desire to contribute to public service. Previous clerical experience is helpful but not required.
Tip: Be sure to include all relevant experience in your resume—even volunteer work.

Feel free to share or tag someone who might be interested.

Image- Dome Rock, a sandstone butte, is framed by a ponderosa pine tree. NPS/Eric Grunwald

01/25/2026

A very interesting internship at the Scottsbluff National Monument.

The staff of our western Nebraska national parks are excited to announce a 12-week paleontology internship for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and Scotts Bluff National Monument through the Scientists-In-Parks (SIP) and Americorps programs. Please follow this link to find the website for student applications and additional information on the internship: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/p/7a746df3f5cf-paleontology-assistant-12-weeks-americorps

If you know anyone else who might be interested, please don't hesitate to share this post with them!

Image - Three paleontologists work using tools to remove a fossil that has been wrapped in a plaster cast. NPS/Eric Graves

01/24/2026

An IT position in Torrington.
My name is Devin Prather and I am the HR Director at Saint Joseph's Children's Home in Torrington. We have recently opened up a job posting for an IT Tech Level I position. I have placed in on handshake but wanted to reach out personally to let you know in case there may be a student that is interested in furthering their career in It. We actually interviewed a previous student-Jason Dillman that was a wonderful candidate but relocated to Nevada. He suggested that I reach out to you both and let you know in the event you may know of some candidates. This is a new position but a much needed one as the current Senior IT Systems Administrator has been doing the job by himself for 11 years and we have gotten too big from a technology standpoint for one person to carry it all. They will be exposed to all spectrums of IT from Networking, to Printer repairs, to security systems It's an amazing opportunity for someone that wants a career in IT and wants to learn from someone that is well rounded in the field. They can find the information on our website https://stjoseph-wy.org. They would need to be at least 21 years of age so that may be an issue with your current students but I at least wanted to get the word out. If you have any questions or if someone else does, please feel free to give them my email address and or phone number and I would be happy to speak more about the position. I have also attached the job description in case anyone wanted to see it. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Devin Prather
HR Director
PO Box 1117
1419 Main St.
Torrington, WY 82240
(Phone) 307.532.4197 ext 3228
(Fax) 307.532.8405
stjoseph-wy.org
https://1drv.ms/b/c/98e2f6805f5822c3/IQClCPXSED_9QqQ4EUOaS2uOASCxisDYWzEEjJ9WrMWcSdw?e=eVpwBm

01/18/2026

There are internships and job opportunities everywhere. The problem is actually: too many internships, not enough time.
https://www.qubitbyqubit.org/eqci?fbclid=Iwb21leAPZL0pjbGNrA9kvHWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjV6p5_fnbmSnD_HuIAhRjz2kgVpKfoVuedts7Hkg75vKa_fxQ-3shBf3ENp_aem_uz-_o8kSUVBayI2sRCsxxA

01/17/2026

Another fun part of the STEM Club Spring trip in March! We visit NIST and NOAA!

The proper functioning of the supply chain involves manufacturing parts with precise dimensions. This precision varies by applications, but high-end mechanical parts sometimes require an accuracy of a few micrometers (just a fraction of the diameter of a human hair).

NIST provides precision measurement of length for high-value manufacturing industries and scientific research institutions. Calibrated gage blocks ensure that accurate size standards are used in the thousands of manufacturing sites and machine shops throughout the United States.

Billions of accurate dimensional measurements performed each day guarantee that the parts will fit and operate as intended, regardless of their source.