Tara Petersen Awarded AFCEA STEM Teaching Tool Grant
We're thrilled to announce that Tara Petersen has been awarded the STEM Teaching Tool Grant by the Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association). The award was presented at the AFCEA Holiday Mixer on Thursday, December 11th, 2025 at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue, Nebraska.
About the STEM Grant Program
The Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA awards STEM Grants to aid educators who are working to improve and augment their teaching methods within the classroom. These grants are awarded to middle and high school STEM teachers to be used for supplies and equipment that help bolster learning in the classroom.
Why STEM Education Matters
In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering, and math—disciplines collectively known as STEM.
If we want a nation where our future leaders, neighbors, and workers have the ability to understand and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow, and to meet the demands of a dynamic and evolving workforce, building students' skills, content knowledge, and fluency in STEM fields is essential.
Equal Access to Quality Learning
A child's zip code should not determine their STEM fluency. The AFCEA STEM Grant initiative helps ensure that, no matter where children live, they have access to quality learning environments and the resources teachers need to deliver impactful STEM education.
About the Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA
The Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA is a non-profit membership association over 250 members strong, dedicated to providing an ethical, interactive forum for sharing knowledge and building relationships across Government, military, industry, and academia.
The chapter focuses primarily on enabling communications, electronics, and information systems missions through education and investment in talented people. Each year, proceeds from chapter sponsors and events help fund STEM scholarships, STEM grants, the annual Metropolitan Science and Engineering Fair, and the Nebraska High School VEX Robotics State Championship—all worthwhile STEM-focused educational efforts in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.
What This Means for Students
Tara was awarded the grant for her classroom at Mary Our Queen School in Omaha. This grant will directly support classroom initiatives that provide hands-on STEM learning experiences for her students. By funding supplies and equipment, the grant helps educators create engaging learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
This year, the Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA awarded a total of $6,109 to STEM educators in our community.
Congratulations, Tara!
We're incredibly proud of Tara's dedication to STEM education and her commitment to empowering students through hands-on learning. This recognition from the Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA reflects her passion for making a difference in the classroom.
Thank you to AFCEA for their continued support of STEM educators in our community!