Robotics Education & Competition Foundation logo
Inspiration All Star

Tara Petersen

About
Tara Peterson accepts the Inspiration All Star Award at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship
Details
Award: Inspiration All Star
Year: 2025
Title: Assistant Principal/Robotics Coach
Organization: Nebraska Public Schools
Location: Nebraska

Tara Petersen balances multiple roles as an assistant principal, classroom teacher, and VEX IQ Robotics coach in Nebraska. She leads both elementary and middle school teams and actively supports the broader robotics community through mentorship and volunteerism. Alongside her husband, she has donated hundreds of hours to help events succeed. Her efforts have fostered program growth across the state while enriching the student experience at her school.

Petersen plays a central role in the development and support of VEX IQ robotics across the state. In addition to coordinating the elementary and middle school robotics programs at her own school, she serves as a key mentor and resource for educators and coaches throughout Nebraska who are establishing and growing their own robotics programs. Under Petersen’s leadership, her school has qualified teams for the VEX World Championship for several consecutive years. However, she consistently prioritizes the growth and success of all robotics programs in the state, offering guidance and support to ensure broader student access to robotics opportunities.

Alongside her husband, Brandon Petersen, she dedicates significant time to organizing and running events, including the Nebraska State Championship, entirely on a volunteer basis. Together, they have contributed hundreds of hours to supporting robotics education and building a strong, collaborative community. The Petersens’ dedication has helped expand student access to STEM learning and fostered interest in engineering and related fields.

2025-2026 Signature Event Updates

  1. An Event Partner wanting to apply to host a Signature Event must have hosted events for at least 2 seasons prior to applying. 
  2. Signature Events must use the officially branded award banners for the Excellence Award and Tournament/Teamwork Champions Award.
  3. When hanging field skirts the VEX Robotics logo/brand name can not be covered up on the competition fields.
  4. VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Events may have regional capacity and max per organization restrictions lifted 8 weeks before the event if the event is not full (similar to the process already in place for VEX IQ Robotics Competition Signature Events).
  5. Minimum pit size reduced to 8’x 8’ instead of 10’x10’.
  6. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, the REC Foundation will collect $10 instead of $5 per team registration on all Signature Events. This is to help offset travel costs for REC Foundation staff to support these larger events.

2025-2026 Signature Event Application Reminders

  1. Existing Signature Events only need to complete the Final Application (due by March 31, 2025)
  2. New Signature Event concepts will need to complete the Initial Proposal by January 31, 2025 and if approved, complete the Final Application by March 31, 2025.
Crowd watches the Signature Event in Minnesota's Mall of America
VEX Robotics World Championship landscape logo