On August 22, AIM’s Greater Nebraska Outreach Coordinator, Gretchen, represented AIM at the UNK Blue and Gold Showcase in Kearney. This event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with both new and returning UNK students, as well as their families, to share information about AIM’s services. To boost engagement, Gretchen introduced a Rocketbook Raffle, where three lucky students could win a Rocketbook courtesy of AIM. The raffle proved to be a great success, drawing significant interest from attendees—especially around AIM’s FAFSA Completion Services. These services, supported through AIM’s federally funded TRiO grants, are designed to help first-generation and low-income students overcome barriers to higher education by guiding them through the financial aid process. By assisting students in completing the FAFSA accurately, AIM ensures that they can access the maximum amount of federal, state, and institutional aid available. Despite the rain shortening the event to just two hours, turnout remained strong, and AIM’s presence left a lasting impression.
On Sunday, August 24, AIM’s Brain Exchange team and Jessica Coffman from AIM Code School brought hands-on STEM excitement to Waterloo Days, where over 50 children explored creativity by designing bubble wands with 3D pens before testing their creations with bubbles. Erin Lasiter, Senior Vice President and COO, was also on hand to strengthen community ties and share how AIM’s programs uplift learners across Nebraska. Notably, Isaac Piper, Director of Innovation Programs, continues to lead impactful youth outreach—heavily contributing to AIM’s successful engagement with more than 3,000 youth participants across its programs in 2024. Events like this exemplify how AIM fosters early tech literacy and innovation, connecting children to the tools and inspiration they need to envision a bright, technology-driven future for themselves and their communities.
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AIM representatives, Jessie Rowe (left) and Gretchen Brosman, display AIM resources at the Adams County Fair. This outreach is imperative to assist high school students in western Nebraska.
This summer, AIM Institute furthered its connection with communities across the state, hosting outreach booths at local celebration days to highlight its impactful programs and services.
At Carter Lake Days, AIM sparked curiosity and creativity with hands-on activities. Youth had the chance to code using a Dash robot, while attendees of all ages spun the prize wheel for a chance to win AIM swag and more. A raffle for a Google Chromebook added to the excitement and drew strong interest in AIM’s mission.
Meanwhile, at the Adams County Fair, AIM focused on college and tech access, providing valuable information about educational pathways and resources. AIM represenatives also spotlighted the work of AIM’s Educational Outreach Centers in Scottsbluff and Hastings, which offer free services to help students navigate college admissions, explore tech careers and access financial aid.
Both events allowed AIM to strengthen community ties and expand awareness of its year-round initiatives and events to build a stronger, more inclusive tech talent pipeline.
AIM President and CEO Dala Alphonso and MacKenzie Broderick, AIM Director of Outreach, help students at the AIM Educational Opportunity Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. work on the college application process.
The AIM Institute would like to thank the Oregon Trail Community Foundation, which awarded AIM with a $4,000 grant. The funding will be utilized to purchase iPads and laptops for student use at the AIM Educational Opportunity Center in Scottsbluff, Neb., as well as a charging cart and cabinet to secure this necessary equipment.
The AIM Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is the only resource in western Nebraska dedicated solely to assisting youth and families with the entire college application, financial aid and admissions process.
AIM’s EOC serves more than 1,000 individuals annually through one-on-one appointments, in-school presentations and small-group assistance. The program helps first-generation, under-resourced students apply to college and helps them understand the possibilities of a tech career offering high-wage, high-demand, high-skill (H3) technology careers.
Melissa Zeiszler, the Dean of Steam at Kennedy Elementary School, helping students with Maker’s Market creations.
The Kennedy Maker’s Market, hosted at Kennedy Elementary School on March 12, provided students with hands-on entrepreneurial experience, combining creativity with academic skills for real-world applications with AIM’s assistance.
AIM played a key role in guiding students through the process—helping them choose company names, design logos and create promotional posters with pricing guides. The team also provided technical support for a standout project: a student-run custom ringtone business, ensuring seamless product delivery.
“One of the student teams wanted to make and sell custom ringtones. This innovative idea gave us the chance to shine. Getting the ringtones from the app they were created in and delivered to the customer was a complicated situation, but the expertise of AIM staff provided the technical support necessary to build a system so the kids could deliver their product,” said Isaac Piper, AIM Director of Innovation Programs.
AIM staff was involved in helping supervise groups of students as they were making, labelling, and packaging their products.
This year the students surpassed last year’s totals, and over half the businesses sold out of their products, contributing to a highly successful fundraising event that supports student activities. The market’s success highlights the impact of hands-on learning and AIM’s ongoing support for Omaha-area youth.
