Mission Statement

Prairie STEM is an education-based 501(c)3 non-profit focused on improving critical thinking and creativity using robotics and technology to engage, stimulate, and expose students and teachers to their version of STEAM—soft skills, traditional academics, entrepreneurial mindset, articulation, and meaning.

Wish List

• Volunteers
• Donations for fundraising campaigns
• Champions of STEAM in school districts
• Technology donations (computers, tablets, peripheral devices)
• 3D printers
• Drones
• Media equipment
• Laptops
• Gift cards as awards for innovation challenges in schools
• Tools (both power and manual tools for kids to build things with

Upcoming Events

• MCC: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) innovation classes (ages 11-15), Robotics competition challenge—Engineering and Coding (ages 9-11) September/October 2018
• Phi Delta Kappa Omaha Chapter conference Nov. 14, 2018
• STEM Camp Jan. 19, 2019
• Nebraska Robotics Expo—Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (SACAM) Feb. 16, 2018

Background

Prairie STEM connects education and industry to provide opportunity and access for every student who participates. High-frequency interactions, in-school curriculum, and after-school events allow students to experience real-world, relevant learning by collaborating with vetted partners whose mission includes helping students recognize their greatest asset is themselves and that failure is a necessary component of success.

Brag Lines

Prairie STEM has worked with over 7000 Omaha-metro area students, teaching kids, starting as early as kindergarten, how to control, build, and program robots and peripheral devices including 3D-printing, drones, and biomechanics. They have provided whole-school, customized solutions for K-12 students in hands-on, problem-based learning to improve hard and soft skills. Their students learn lessons of grit, determination, and perseverance as fundamental core values built into the curriculum.

Pay it Forward

Prairie STEM is undergoing a rapid growth-and-development phase where the demand for programming is far outpacing their resources. They are actively recruiting new teachers and volunteers as well as looking to partner with foundations and corporate sponsors willing to champion the future of the regional economy through workforce development at the earliest levels. Sponsorship can be made in several ways—from financial support to mentoring opportunities.

Prairie STEM

7101 Mercy Road  Omaha, NE 68106 402-991-5595 prairiestem.org

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The Big Give was published in the September/October 2018 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.