Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ)

$1,825

Donated

12% of $15,000 goal

Donors

This campaign ended on March 20, 2025, but you can still make a gift to University of Michigan by clicking here!

About

The MEZ is celebrating our 15-year anniversary! Help us raise $15,000 to celebrate this milestone and continue to grow our youth outreach and college pathway programs.

The Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ) provides world-class STEM resources, instruction and counseling to the students and families of Southeast Michigan, all free of cost. The MEZ currently manages four programs, reaching 3,000 students each year: First Robotics, Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab, Future Ready Scholars, and College Access & Advising. Your contributions are vital to our ability to sustain and grow these programs.

First Robotics — The MEZ provides financial support, healthy meals, workspace, supplies, and professional mentoring for 26 Detroit-area high school FIRST Robotics teams. Over 350 students participate in our after-school programming & robotics competitions.

Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab — Middle school classes visit the MEZ for one-day field trip experiences and one-week Summer camps that combines career exploration with hands-on engineering and invention. Our Thinkabit Lab program inspires around 2,500 students per year.

Future Ready Scholars — This multi-year college and career prep program includes an intensive two-week summer camp and 6 Saturday sessions during the academic year. A new cohort of high school students joins each year, participating in STEM courses, college & career planning, and mentoring from current college students.

College Access & Advising — Free and available to any Michigan high school student, the MEZ helps students navigate the college application and matriculation process with confidence and success. Through workshops and one-and-one advising, the MEZ equips students and families with the knowledge and resources necessary to succeed in their pursuit of higher education.

Help us inspire the next generation of Michigan engineers!

We invite you to be part of the impact of these efforts by choosing to donate to the MEZ today. Gifts of all sizes make a difference! Below are some examples of how your support can make an impact:

$6,000 allows one new student to join our Future Ready Scholar STEM college prep program
$5,000 covers robot building materials for one high school FIRST Robotics team
$4,000 covers team meals for one FIRST Robotics team
$500 provides school bus transportation for one field trip or robotics competition
$300 covers SAT registration, college application fees, and enrollment fees for one high school senior

You can support Detroit FIRST Robotics teams, as well as our other MEZ programs, through a gift of any amount. If you are able to support the MEZ at one of the sponsorship levels below, we will recognize you as a public sponsor, adding your name to the sponsorship board within our space and acknowledging your sponsorship on MEZ t-shirts, robots, and reports.

MEZ Sponsorship Levels