Omaha STEM Ecosystem

06/10/2026

Educator applications are now open for Polar STEAM! Don’t miss an opportunity to bring polar science to your classroom.

The Polar Educators program facilitates virtual and field deployments to the Arctic and Antarctic for both formal and informal educators in the United States. The program aims to inspire transdisciplinary education about science in the polar regions, integrating art-based and science-based methods to promote critical thinking and engagement opportunities for learners.

The program works with faculty from community colleges, middle and high school educators, as well as informal educators who can incorporate polar science education into their work.

Additionally, Polar STEAM works with NSF-funded polar researchers seeking to elevate the broader impacts of their research through education and the arts. Working in collaboration with educators, artists, and writers, researchers will help increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of human and scientific endeavors in polar regions. Researcher recruitment is ongoing!

Application deadline: July 15, 2026

Apply now: https://polarsteam.info/application/

06/09/2026

Want to learn more about the current state of STEM in Omaha? Come to Connecting Pathways 🧩

This free event on Tuesday, July 14, offers a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming education and the way Omaha is responding to ensure a future-ready STEM workforce.

Dr. Victor Winter, Science Computer Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of IS&T, will deliver the keynote address, exposing the widening gap between what industry demands and what education permits in AI.

Participate in discussions with students and young professionals about the current landscape of education. Enjoy interactive demonstrations, a networking happy hour, and opportunities to collaborate on solutions for Omaha’s growing demand for STEM professionals.

Limited spots are available! Register now to secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-pathways-tickets-1987707690209?aff=socialmedia

Special thanks to our sponsor MCL Construction for helping make this event possible!

06/04/2026

Missed out on our Lincoln Coffee & Connection? Come to our Omaha mixer with Nebraska Women in STEM and Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska at the Girl Scout DreamLab!

📅 June 17, 2026
🕗 8:45 am to 10:00 am

Start your morning with Coffee & Connection, a networking event for women in STEM and allies at the Girl Scout DreamLab in Omaha. Make new friends while learning about the DreamLab and the volunteer opportunities they have available to support girls in STEM. All are welcome!

Register Here: https://www.nebraskawomeninstem.com/coffee-connection-omaha/

06/03/2026

🚀 Nebraska's STEM efforts are reaching new heights.

Through the NASA Nebraska Space Grant and EPSCoR programs, students, researchers and startups across the state are helping advance real-world science while building Nebraska’s STEM talent pipeline.

The programs made it possible for a Nebraska startup to test a miniature robotic surgeon on the International Space Station. Students have also been involved with biomechanical, biomedical, robotics and cancer research.

Check out this recent article from Silicon Prairie News about these unique NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration research projects that are fueling Nebraska’s future workforce.

The NASA Nebraska Space Grant and EPSCoR programs are designed to support STEM education in the state. Startups like Virtual Incision and research projects on subjects from anti-cancer proteins to recyclable antimicrobial material have visited space as a result.

06/02/2026

The Tech Careers Seminar at the University of Nebraska at Omaha returns this fall, connecting students to Nebraska's growing tech workforce through hands-on, career-focused learning. This seminar is a collaboration between UNO and the Aksarben Foundation through the Nebraska Tech Collaborative.

Industry leaders will engage directly with students, host company site visits and build meaningful connections that go beyond the office. Participants will provide insights into seminar topics like interview preparation and networking with executives, giving students a clear path into Nebraska's tech industry.

Interested industry leaders can complete the form linked below. For more information, email Dr. Brian Dorn, Associate Professor of Computer Science at UNO, at [email protected].

🔗https://forms.monday.com/.../ed646295d563d2dc31b41155aa94...

05/27/2026

🚀 Big news for Council Bluffs families and the region’s future.

The Council Bluffs Community School District is exploring the possibility of opening the Council Bluffs STEM Innovation Charter High School, a tuition-free, public school-sponsored option for district students.

This would not be your typical high school. Students would earn a specialized diploma AND college credentials, while learning through hands-on projects with real industry partners. That means fewer barriers and more doors open before graduation day arrives.

Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo, CBCSD has already helped more than 90% of recent graduates earn industry-recognized credentials alongside their diploma.

A STEM Innovation High School is the next step in the journey designed to connect students directly to high-paying, high-demand careers in fields that shape our world.

Learn more about the potential project here: https://www.cb-schools.org/schools1/stem-innovation-charter-high-school.

05/26/2026

Nominations are officially open for the inaugural Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards (NETA), a collaboration between the Aksarben Foundation and Nebraska’s six community colleges.

These awards celebrate the individuals and organizations moving Nebraska’s workforce forward, from apprentices and interns to the mentors and employers who support their growth. Through six regional events across the state, NETA recognizes those building strong talent pipelines and creating meaningful career pathways.

Award categories include:

• Apprentice of the Year
• Apprenticeship Mentor
• Apprenticeship Organization
• Returning Intern
• Internship Mentor
• Internship Organization

By highlighting these stories, NETA showcases the impact of internships and apprenticeships in strengthening communities, supporting businesses, and driving long-term economic growth across Nebraska.

Nominations will be accepted through June 30, 2026

Submit your nomination here: https://aksarben.org/neta/

05/25/2026

Spots are still available for Metropolitan Community College (Nebraska)’s one-day, Intro to Drone Program. 🚁

Whether you're interested in recreational flying, photography or pursuing Federal Aviation Administration Drone Pilot Certification, this five-hour course is the place to start.

In a single Saturday session, participants will learn:
• Drone safety and FAA rules
• Flight best practices
• Key drone components and systems
• How to prepare for the FAA TRUST test

This course serves as a prerequisite for all MCC Drone Flight School courses and is the first step to continuing FAA Drone Pilot Certification training. For more information and registration, visit: https://coned.mccneb.edu/wconnect/ace/CourseStatus.awp?course=26UWIDX413A&fbclid=IwY2xjawRm641leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjbmRkTzdDYno4cEUwR290c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm7s_LIx8Qu1FUGMU54yu3dTH8EJujiukNwaPgvcYOC5KF4wIXMinbCPWJaA_aem__Q_VBCNjrREsXWdl4Ha3gw.

05/20/2026

Just Announced - Connecting Pathways 🧩

Gain a better understanding of the status of STEM in Omaha.

Dr. Victor Winter, Science Computer Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of IS&T, will deliver the keynote address, exposing the widening gap between what industry demands and what education permits in AI.

Participate in discussions designed to develop the connection between business and education to address future workforce needs in Nebraska. Enjoy interactive demonstrations and connect with community members during a networking happy hour.

📅July 14, 2026
📍MCL Construction
🕗Happy Hour - 3:45 pm, Event - 4:30 pm

Register now! Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-pathways-tickets-1987707690209?aff=socialmedia

Special thanks to our sponsor MCL Construction, for helping make this event possible!