Dalilah, a member of the inaugural cohort of the Claire M. Hubbard Science Internship at No More Empty Pots in the spring of 2024, embarked on her internship during her last semester as a senior at North Omaha High School.
Her Science Passion
From a young age, she had a passion for science and nature, spending her time watching National Geographic, exploring the outdoors, and viewing documentaries on environmental issues. She is especially drawn to learning about humanity's impact on the environment.
“I’ve always had a genuine love for natural sciences, and I’d encourage anyone interested to pursue it—it’s challenging but very possible to find work, and internships like this provide great networking opportunities.” Dalilah said. “This internship helped me explore different parts of Omaha and gain new perspectives and information.”
In the initial two weeks of the internship at No More Empty Pots, Dalilah participated in an air pollution project that fueled her interest in the ways various environmental issues intersect. Exploring air pollution in Omaha proved to be a captivating experience.
Dalilah also relished the opportunity to work hands-on with plants in the No More Empty Pots Greenhouse. Being in a professionally managed garden space offered her invaluable insights, particularly into environmentally safe gardening practices. Dalilah noted the significance of these practices in North Omaha, where soil pollution and lead contamination present serious health risks.
“I really appreciated that the lessons were tied to North Omaha, where I grew up and where I hope to make an impact in my future career,” Dalilah said.
Journey to College
The internship even inspired her to start planning a community garden with her neighbor, recognizing the need for more green spaces and access to fresh produce in North Omaha! Dalilah gained clarity on her career path, which led her to apply to UNO, where she now attends as a freshman. She majors in Environmental Science and minors in Geography and Planning.
Future in Urban Planning
She has a particular interest in urban planning, because she has observed the challenges posed by Omaha’s limited walkability, especially in areas like North Omaha where bus routes do not cover enough ground.
One instance that made a lasting impression on her was witnessing a woman struggling to cross Maple Street in a busy intersection, highlighting for her the everyday challenges faced by many residents. In the future, Dalilah’s goal is to reshape Omaha into a more walkable city, offering accessible transit options that reduce dependency on costly alternatives like Uber.
Dalilah envisions a long-term approach that combines environmental science and urban planning to address Omaha’s transportation issues in sustainable ways. “Instead of just fixing roads for the short term, like repaving and then facing bigger potholes a few years later, we need to think long-term,” Dalilah said.
