Category Archives: Events & Contests

Scholars in STEM camp grades 5-8 on Nov 8th!

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

The Scott Scholars with the University of Nebraska at Omaha are excited to announce that that we are hosting another Scholars in STEM camp this semester! Scholars in STEM is a camp meant to provide rich STEM exposure to middle school students. Students will participate in a morning full of activities learning about real-world applications of STEM topics all led by current Scott Scholars. We encourage all middle schoolers to attend and pass this registration on to their friends to make this the biggest Scholars in STEM yet!

When: Saturday, November 8th, 2025 | 9:00 – 12:00pm

Where: Maverick Landing (6648-6698 Pine St, Omaha, NE 68106)

Who: Students in 5-8th grade

Sign up: here!

Intl. Academic Competitions: Upcoming Tournaments for Nebraska Students

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

Greetings from International Academic Competitions! Our 2025-26 competition season is in full swing, with over 200 regional quiz tournaments planned across the country and over 15 separate competitions to take part in! We wanted to pass along a reminder about upcoming events in Nebraska and online so that you can mark your calendars and join us!

National Science Bee, National History Bee & National Geography Bee Regional Tournaments

Subject-specific individual quiz competitions for students in grades K-12. Each tournament below features all 3 events at different times during the day. For students in grades K-8, prior qualifying through the Online Regional Qualifying Exam in each subject is required. Register on each tournament’s page, linked below! The deadline is 12 days in advance of each event.

Upcoming In-Person Tournaments

  • Omaha – White Question Set Sat. Feb 21, 2026, Omaha, NE

Upcoming Online Tournaments

A full list of National Science, History, and Geography Bee Regional Tournaments is maintained here on the website.

Qualifying IAC events can be offered at the elementary and middle school level. Contact the EY coordinator at your child’s school with questions.

Name a Snowplow-Contest Closed

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

This contest is closed but the  winners were announced. They had over 4500 submission from 219 schools. Westside didn’t have any winners this year, but start thinking of creative names for next year! ! For now, check out the winning names for 2025.

We need help naming 16 snowplows in the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s fleet. Now through October 3, students in grades K–6 can submit their most imaginative, silly, or clever names for a chance to see their idea featured on one of NDOT’s 600 snowplows—trackable in real time at 511.nebraska.gov. Two winners will be selected from each of NDOT’s eight Districts. View the district map here.

Contest Details

  • Who can enter: Nebraska students in grades K–6
  • Deadline: Entries due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 3
  • Privacy: Student and teacher names will not be shared publicly — only winning plow names and their schools will appear in NDOT promotions.
  • How to submit:

LInk to Contest Information

Reach out to your teacher or EY coordinator if you would like help with your submission.

 

STEAM NIGHT @ MCC, Dec. 5th 2025.

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

 

 

Join us for an exciting STEAM Night at MCC! This hands-on event is designed to ignite curiosity and inspire a love for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Families will have the opportunity to engage together in interactive stations, creative challenges, and fun activities, fostering stronger connections and a shared excitement for learning. Don’t miss this fun-filled evening!

STEAM Night at MCC
Friday, December 5, 2025, 5:30 – 7pm
Yates Adult Ed/ESL Classroom 210

Calling All Doodlers! Open for entries until December 3, 2025

Events & Contests, Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests

Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists.

Who: K-12 students are invited to bring their imagination to life in a doodle of the Google logo, using any medium they choose.  Introduction video

What is the 2025  theme: My Super Power is……

Due Date:  Open for entries until December 3, 2025

Check out the contest page to see past winners and to get some ideas!  All information can be found  @ https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.
EY Badge link 

2025-26 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest Opens in Jan 2026

Events & Contests, Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests, Reading Enrichment

Website: https://omahalibrary.org/virginia-frank-memorial-writing-contest/

Create your own original fiction featuring a character from a book you read on your own.

Deadline:  TBD

Check out the website for more details and read the winning entries from last year’s contest.

 

The Friends of Omaha Public Library are currently accepting submissions for the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest.  The contest is for students in 5-8th grade.  First prize in each grade is $100.

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of area students. This contest, sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, recognizes the top three winners from each grade. Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony at the library, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

    • Stories must be submitted with an entry form to be considered. Complete all fields either online or on a printed entry form and submit with your story.
    • Students must be in 5th to 8th grade and live in Douglas or Sarpy counties.
    • Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school.
    • Stories must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
    • Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed and read on your own. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
    • Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
    • The decision of the judges is final.
    • All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media.
    • Deadline for entries is February 28, 2020.

    Prizes

    • First ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50)
    • Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
    • The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.

 

About Virginia Frank

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.

2024 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest Grades 5-8

Events & Contests, MS Learning Opportunities

Website: https://omahalibrary.org/virginia-frank-memorial-writing-contest/

Create your own original fiction featuring a character from a book you read on your own.

Deadline:  Friday, February 24

Check out the website for more details and read the winning entries from last year’s contest.

2014-15 Seminars and Contests

2014-15 Seminars, Events & Contests

We are excited to offer a variety of seminars this year.  All students are welcome to attend, however there will always be some sort of “ticket” that needs to be completed first.  The “ticket” might be a qualifying test or a project you develop.

Westside Schools often get invited to special contests (math contests, quiz bowls, etc.)  Those contests are not listed below, but make sure to check this site often for updates!