Mary Our Queen vice principal wins national award for STEM excellence

STEM coordinator, robotics mentor and vice principal at Mary Our Queen Catholic School in Omaha, Tara Petersen, is the winner of the 2025 Inspirational All-Star Award from the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.

Petersen was honored with the award, which recognizes individuals who have made a lasting and inspirational impact on robotics education, at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship held earlier this month in Dallas.

Maureen Hoy, principal of Mary Our Queen Catholic School, called Petersen’s commitment to her students, school and community “nothing short of extraordinary.”

Petersen at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship. COURTESY PHOTO

Hoy said that Petersen “builds confidence, creativity and opportunity for students who may have never seen themselves as engineers, coders or problem-solvers.”

Petersen’s work has helped transform the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) landscape across Nebraska through her leadership at Mary Our Queen School and as the founder of gainingSTEAM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to launching and supporting robotics programs and teams throughout the state.

Petersen has provided mentorship, training and resources to students, coaches and volunteers statewide. She has helped underserved schools launch robotics teams and introduced hundreds of students to hands-on, real-world STEM experiences.

“Tara lives out our mission to develop the whole child through faith, leadership and innovation,” Father Marc Lim, pastor of Mary Our Queen Parish, said. “We are blessed to have her in our community and proud to see her impact recognized on a national stage.”

READ MORE FROM THE CATHOLIC VOICE: