YouTH Progrms

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 Ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s
02 Our Mission and Gratitude for TRiO
03 Youth Program Offerings and Participating Schools
04 Youth Academies - Upward Bound
05 Youth Academies - Upward Bound, Testimonials
06 Youth Academies - Upward Bound, How to Apply
08 College and Tech Access - Talent Search
10 College and Tech Access - Talent Search, Testimonials
11 College and Tech Access - Talent Search, How to Apply
12 Scottsbluff - Educational Opportunity Center, How to Apply
14 Youth in Tech - Brain Exchange, Participant Testimonials
16 Thank You to all Youth in Tech - Brain Exchange, Funders
17 STEM Platform
18 STEM Platform, Partners
19 AIM Participants Facing Forward
20 AIM Tech Navigator and How to Contact Us

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Our Mission and Gratitude for TRiO
Mission:
The AIM Institute grows a strong and diverse tech community through
education, career development, and outreach.
Vision:
A thriving community where everyone can pursue
a rewarding tech career.
Through education, career development and
outreach, the non-profit AIM Institute has
fostered the growth of
Omaha’s tech sector for more than 25 years.
AIM promotes diversity, equity
and inclusion in the tech sector
by making outstanding
educational opportunities
and career training
accessible to all,
from elementary school
through adulthood.
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We wish to offer our sincere gratitude and
thanksto the U.S. Department of Education
TRiO programs for helping us serve low-income
individuals and first-generation college students
progress through the academic pipeline, from
middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.
AIM Institute staff sees the difference in
children’s lives made possible by TRiO
programs, which offer our community
a sense of unity and hope for a
dream education while
giving students excellent
education opportunities.
Youth Program Offerings and Participating Schools
All of AIM’s youth programs provide exciting tech learning experiences at
partner organizations for students ages 7-17, helping them envision a future
in a tech career.
AIM Youth Academies - Upward bound: These cohort-style offerings are available at Bryan High
School in Omaha; Papillion-La Vista High School and Papillion-La Vista South High School in Papillion;
and Thomas Jefferson High School and Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs.
AIM College and Tech Access - Talent Search: Serves Monroe Middle and Benson High Schools
in Omaha, Thomas Jefferson High and Wilson Middle Schools in Council Bluffs.
AIM College and Tech Access - Educational Opportunity Center (EOC): AIM Educational
Opportunity Center (EOC) - This office serves individuals in the Nebraska Panhandle region.
AIM Youth in Tech - Brain Exchange: Other schools AIM serves include South High, North High,
Northwest High, Central High, McMillan Middle, Nathan Hale Middle, Howard Kennedy Elementary,
Spring Lake Elementary, and Springville Elementary Schools in Omaha. Many schools meet up at the
Brain Exchange building. This facility is the home to free, STEM learning experiences for youth, ages 7-17.
2,639
students in our AIM
6,984
total participants
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students placed in
Youth Academies and served in 2020-21 technology jobs
Access Programs school year
Youth Academies - Upward Bound Youth Academies - Upward Bound, Testimonials
”
AIM Youth Academies - TRiO Upward Bound is a federally funded program that provides life-changing,
Lizbeth Arevalo-Orellana graduated from Bryan High School in 2021 as a first generation college
cycle-breaking learning experiences to inspire at-risk youth to pursue their full potential and achieve student from El Salvador. Since her junior year, I have seen her grow from struggling to pass her
their educational and career goals. Participants come from low-income families where neither parent classes to now receiving all A’s and B’s. Lizbeth is starting to take control of her life and goals for an
has graduated from college. amazing future! She has decided to pursue a career as a
nurse. With her great grades, she will be able to get into

”
These cohort programs are available at partner schools Bryan many schools.
High School in Omaha; Papillion-La Vista High School and
Papillion-La Vista South High School in Papillion; and Thomas — Lucely Salgado (Youth Academies - Upward Bound |
Jefferson High School and Abraham Lincoln High School in AIM TRiO - Site Coordinator)
Council Bluffs.

Intensive services offered include tutoring, mentoring, college

preparation, career prep, FAFSA, scholarships, and college



” During our first senior academy meeting, where we
identify schools to apply to, one of our Papillion-La Vista
seniors, Yamilka Gonzalez, stated, ‘I don’t think I’m
applications. AIM Upward Bound also includes introduction going to get in anywhere,’ even though she had an
activities to technology to help level the playing field for excellent GPA. After building up her confidence, she was
disadvantaged students. the first senior to get accepted to a school. Since then,
she has been accepted to six schools and received
This program offers students a variety of opportunities. multiple scholarships.
Students connect with each other like they are family. Program
participants share similar struggles, and offer support to one AIM provides a safe space where students can find
another. AIM Youth Academies give students and their parents or support. As their biggest cheerleaders, we are often the
guardians hope for a brighter future. first to tell them YES, they CAN go to college. Yamika’s
story exemplifies the positive changes we help students

”
AIM Youth Academies - Upward Bound helps students make in their lives.
understand the benefits of higher education. Quite often, these
students slip through the cracks because of their financial family — Brooke Clements (Youth Academies - Upward Bound |
circumstances, language barriers, first-generation status and AIM TRiO - Site Coordinator)
other factors. AIM site coordinators offer a safe space where
students can be themselves. Site coordinators also guide students via extra support and experience;
parents and guardians are given the opportunity to understand the college process and take part in
their youth’s experience as well.
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Youth Academies - Upward Bound, How to Apply To learn more, fill out one of these forms:

Bryan High School - aim-bhs.mylacai.com/apply.php

The AIM Youth Academies - Upward Bound programs serve high school students from income-
eligible families, as well as families in which neither parent has acquired a bachelor’s degree from
Abraham Lincoln High School - aim-alhs.mylacai.com/apply.php
an accredited university.

Papillion-La Vista HS and Papillion-La Vista South High Schools - aim-plvhs.mylacai.com/apply.php

AIM Youth Academies site coordinators are true leaders who are integrated into students’ daily routines,
with a permanent room where students can visit for assistance. Site coordinators recruit students in many
Thomas Jefferson High School - aim-tjhs.mylacai.com/apply.php
places, such as “Back to School”
events and via invitation letters
sent to qualifying freshmen and
sophomores. Site coordinators
are available in the schools to
answer any questions a student,
parent or guardian may have.

81.3%
students that participated
are minorites
Contact Tanya Jacha,
director of the AIM Youth

76.2%
students are
Academies | Upward Bound
tjacha@aiminstitute.org | 402-676-5478

attending college

The national average of low income and first generation students

who enrolled in college this past year was 17%. AIM Youth Academies -
Upward Bound had 98% enrollment in this same demographic.
6 Million
is the amount of scholarships awarded just in
AIM Academies - UpwardBound in the 2020-21 school year
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College and Tech Access - Talent Search
AIM College and Tech Access - Talent Search is a TRiO Program funded by the U.S. Department of College and Tech Access - To help
Education. The program helps students identify and maintain healthy academic habits from elementary students graduate from high school
through high school. and enroll in college, Talent Search
offers middle and high-school students
College and Tech Access - academic support, STEM after school
Talent Search delivers programs, study skills training, goal-
school-based services setting and time-management mastery,
to youth that is at-risk, communication skills development,
providing college prep, interest and personality assessments,
personal development, tutorial services, spring break, and
and tech career read- summer workshops. High school
iness programming. students, additionally, are given career
awareness activities that include field
This program offers support trips to colleges and universities, ACT
and meaningful technology prep and assistance with registration,
experiences to spark an financial aid and scholarship advising,
interest in STEM and tech at aptitude assessments, college prep
a young age, thus further- workshops and exams for students
ing AIM’s mission to build a and parents or guardians, tutoring
strong and diverse tech and mentoring.
talent community.

These cohort programs are

available at partner schools Benson High School and Monroe Middle School in Omaha, and Thomas Goals for the Program:
Jefferson High School and Wilson Middle School in Council Bluffs.

1 Interactive technology activities: To inspire interest through engaging hands on modules that
encourage students to explore and gain confidence in lessons. The BX provides basic tech skill
building activities for students and families including coding, robots, and drones.

2 Career information: To create awareness of opportunity by introducing and providing resources

to students to careers that involve technology.

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 College and Tech Access - Talent Search, Testimonials
” I sent out recruitment info about our
program to the students and parents at
Wilson. One mom responded and said that
” Kaleb Mallory is a senior just getting started
her daughter, Sarah, had participated at the
Brain Exchange in 2019. She loved learning
about coding and robotics. They saw that
AIM ran the Talent Search program at Wilson
and were excited. Even though Sarah is 100%
virtual for school, she comes specifically to
our Tech Mash-Up club every Wednesday for
activities like geocaching, 3D printing,
”
Robotics, and Virtual Reality gaming.
— Erica Julsen (AIM Talent Search - College and
Tech Access | Site Coordinator)
— Kristy Hansen (AIM Talent Search -
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on college applications. Usually, students
start a little earlier, so I was concerned.
After our first advising session, within one
day he had applied to colleges and was
ready for the next step, so I explained the
FAFSA process, scholarships and where to
find them. A few hours later, he had
completed his FAFSA and was looking for
scholarships. He was eager to start his
college journey and ended up doing most of
it in a couple of days. By the end of his
advising, Kaleb was ahead of his peers and
ready to enroll in courses. It was cool to see
the process of ‘I’m not sure if I can go to
”
college,’ to ‘I’m going and here’s how.’
College and Tech Access | Site Coordinator)
College and Tech Access - Talent Search, How to Apply
AIM College and Tech Access - Talent
Search helps shape tomorrow’s diverse tech
workforce. Anyone can apply to this program
and participate in club activities, with an
emphasis on first-generation, low-income
and minority participants to ensure the
strength and diversity of the future local
tech community.
Our youth teams don’t just think outside
the box, they make the box.
This team creates development opportunities, study skills, tech training, and offerings that help
student’s further their education, helping build confident, cutting-edge, high-demand individuals
prepared for technology careers. Participants are required to engage with the Talent Search site
coordinator at least once or twice a year, but often more frequently. Since site coordinators serve
large numbers, they seek out students by sending out weekly or biweekly newsletters with services
and event information. Site coordinators also set up tables in the cafeteria during lunch once a week
for students to connect and pick up permission slips for field trips.
To learn more, fill out this form: aim-tsomaha.mylacai.com/apply.php (Omaha) |
aim-tscb.mylacai.com/apply.php (Council Bluffs) or contact Kristy Hansen, site coordinator
of Talent Search | ts@aiminstitute.org | 402-979-8324
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AIM College and Tech Access - Educational Opportunity To learn more, fill out this form: aim-eoc.mylaci.com/apply.php
Contact MacKenzie Broderick, director of the College and Tech Access EOC
Center, How to Apply eoc@aiminstitute.org | 308-633-0104

The AIM College and Tech Access - Educational

Opportunity Center (EOC) offers assistance for
people in the Nebraska panhandle region looking
to pursue postsecondary education, with a
mission to break down barriers and ease the
transition into school so individuals can pursue
their higher education goals. Several free services
are available to help participants navigate the
college admissions and financial aid process.

Serving about 26 high schools in western

Nebraska, EOC focuses on a diverse population
of first-generation students, those who are low
income, and veterans. Bilingual services
are available.

EOC provides services and assessments that help

students improve their study skills and position
themselves to succeed academically and
professionally. Social service agency referrals
can be arranged when further assistance or
wrap-around services are necessary.

74%
students who are
51.6%
students who are female
53.5%
students that participated
12 low income are minorites
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 Youth in Tech - Brain
Exchange, Participant
” The Benson AIM TRiO program was a huge help. Our coach, Shane Barsell, was always nice and
helpful to students. Through all the field trips we had, I became acquainted with UNO, where I am
now studying. I remember a video that I watched on a field trip my freshman year, depicting a coach
speaking to his players about the drive for success. ‘You have to want success as much as you want
and Testimonials to breathe,’ he said. That video had a profound effect on me. From then on, I put more work into
everything I did, took higher level classes, and participated in activities my last three years at high
AIM Institute’s Youth in Tech program school with the goal of getting into college on a full-ride scholarship. I got in with four scholarships,
provides free, fun, and educational
tech experiences to inspire children to
envision themselves in the tech world.
including the Goodrich Scholarship Program.
”
— Micah Dunwoody (AIM Youth and Tech Access | Benson High School Grad 2019)
They expose students to STEM
(Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math),
programming, and coding. AIM ignites
curiosity and interest in tech throughout
the community.

Programs at our participating schools

meet up at the Brain Exchange, as well as
at community partner organizations,
which include after-school programs that
serve low-income students. Some
programs consist of CodeCraft Explorers,
bi-weekly workshops that introduce youth
to technology, and CodeCraft Masters,
“Deep Dive” sessions in coding for more
advanced learners.

Example of programming: The AIM Brain Exchange met virtually with students A donation of $500
at Omaha’s Kennedy Elementary for “NOV8” day, a day to focus on innovation can support one
education. The students learned how to make “Bristle Bots,” small robots made student’s programming
out of a toothbrush head, a motor, a watch battery, and pipe cleaners. for a whole year.
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Youth in Tech - Brain Exchange, Thank You to all
the Funders
Without the assistance of donors, the Brain
Exchange would not be able to offer curiosity-
igniting tech experiences or help underserved
students envision themselves on the path to a
rewarding tech career. Other AIM Youth in Tech
partner schools include South High, North High,
Northwest High, Central High, McMillan Middle,
Nathan Hale Middle, Howard Kennedy
Elementary, Spring Lake Elementary, and
Springville Elementary Schools in Omaha.
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STEM Platform - Community Resource
The Peter Kiewit Foundation has helped to The STEM Community Platform
sponsor many of the programs in AIM Brain is an online resource guide of
Exchange. These schools include South High, information and area events
Spring Lake Elementary, and Springville about science, technology,
Elementary Schools. engineering, and math. Explore
STEM careers and find local
Lozier is a proud funder for North High, STEM programming in one
Northwest High, Central High Schools. convenient location.
Collective for Youth continues to donate to Together Omaha STEM Ecosystem
McMillan and Nathan Hale Middle Schools. and the AIM Institute built this
free resource for the community.
The Brain Exchange also has many anonymous
donors, whose donations have helped support
Youth in Tech programming at Howard Kennedy
and Springville Elementary Schools.
The Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, the Urban League,
and all the participating schools offer children a
safe, engaging place to go.
To learn more or donate, visit:
stemplatform.aiminstitute.org
Our youth teams are for STEM events in
The staff at AIM Institute and the Brain Exchange
the
going places! Omaha and surrounding areas.
would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all
of our donors. Without their vital support, we
could not build a stronger, more equitable
tech community.
To learn more or donate, visit:
aiminstitute.org or contact Erin Lasiter, director of
the Brain Exchange elasiter@aiminstitute.org |
402-979-8324 x123.
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STEM - Community Platform, Partners
The STEM service has providers, businesses,
educators, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
members and community organizations. Active
businesses and organizations on the platform
are AIM Institute, STEM Ecosystem, Omaha Henry
Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, University of
Nebraska at Omaha, First National Bank of
Omaha, Cox Communications, Nonprofit
Association of the Midlands, Best Practices
Partnership, Nebraska Department of Education,
and Iowa West foundation. The list keeps grow-
ing. Any company or organization can add related
services or activities to the site.
A citywide partnership that focuses on
maximizing STEM - science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics learning initiatives
encompassing the Greater Omaha area, including
12 school districts, the Omaha STEM Ecosystem
believes building a vibrant STEM skilled workforce
will help drive solutions for tomorrow’s challenges
and requires collaboration and the brainpower of
many diverse stakeholders.
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AIM Participants Facing Forward
The Omaha STEM Ecosystem builds capacity
through diverse and engaged stakeholder
collaboration to ensure all students can access
high-quality STEM programs. Professional
development and training provides STEM
knowledge for educators and a shared frame-
work for evaluating measurable outcomes.
With a goal to serve as the agent of collaboration
among stakeholders in our community, the
Omaha STEM Ecosystem helps ensure we are
building a STEM-skilled workforce by offering
students a STEM-focused pathway from preschool
to a thriving career.
AIM and the Omaha STEM Ecosystem want to
thank the partners that helped make the STEM
Community Platform a success: Cox Communi-
cations, Facebook, CyncHealth, Clarkson College,
and First National Bank.
Learn about participating as a sponsor here:
stemplatform.aiminstitute.org/founding-partners
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 For more than 25 years, AIM has been working to build the tech talent community. We’re continuing that

AIM Tech Navigator and How to Contact us tradition through the Tech Navigator program. The program allows us to assist people who are looking
to explore tech, whether they’re interested in learning to code or an established IT professional looking
for leadership training.

For more than 25 years, AIM has worked to build the tech community. We’re continuing that tradition
through the Tech Navigator program, which allows us to assist people who wish to explore tech—wheth-
er they’re just becoming interested in learning to code or are already an established IT professional look-
ing for leadership training.

Our trained Tech Navigators are ready to connect you to programs and resources. Fill out our quick
interest form to learn more about this free service.

Where AIM staff is going,

they don’t need roads.

aiminstitute.org | 402 979 8324

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