A group of young journalists in Nebraska is using the elimination of a prominent program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an opportunity to tell an important story while honing their reporting skills.

It's part of an effort by the Youth Environmental Press Team to teach students the basic principles of journalism.

When UNL eliminated its Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, many students saw an opportunity for quality reporting. Victoria Bogatz, a senior at Bellevue East High School and director of the Youth Environmental Press Team, put her journalistic skills to work for the team's website.

"And then I also get to have my work published on this website," said Bogatz, "which is great for having work samples and getting my name out there as a journalist, and getting that real-life experience is awesome."

UNL's elimination of the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department means losing the work it did, including predicting and reporting on severe weather in Nebraska as well as its contributions to the state's Climate Impact Assessment Report.

Bogatz said her experience with the press team has also helped her navigate a confusing and often inaccurate social media landscape, where young people can be duped by non-credible news sources.

"We obviously are on social media," said Bogatz, "but all of our posts link to a fact-based story with research and expert interviews and things like that, so kind of bringing that side into the social media world I think helps set us apart."

Bogatz added that the press team works to get more young voices in the newsroom to tell stories from their perspective, and she feels that resonates with students across the state.