UMCI offers year-round, free learning opportunities for youth in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), entrepreneurship, and innovation through the Michigan Engineering Zone. Students can develop their interests, build skills and knowledge, and explore future career opportunities through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and mentorship. Across our growing youth portfolio and community, students have multiple opportunities to engage during their K-12 years. Click below to learn more about our current programs, or complete this interest form to receive email updates about our programs.
Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab
The Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at the University of Michigan is a collaboration between Qualcomm Incorporated and the University of Michigan providing youth in Southeast Michigan with a unique, hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and raising awareness of careers they may not know exist.
The Thinkabit Lab inspires students year-round, hosting field trips during the academic year and camps during the summer months.
One-Day Field Trips
The Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab hosts middle school classes for one-day field trip experiences at the Michigan Engineering Zone in Midtown Detroit. Students explore emerging careers in engineering and technology through their unique skills, interests, and values, and design new inventions using hands-on technology and computer programming.
Schools or teachers interested in scheduling a field trip to the Thinkabit Lab can contact ThinkabitLab@umich.edu for more information.
Explore Thinkabit Lab Virtual Resources
Thinkabit Lab Summer Camps
The Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab offers one-week day camps for middle school students focusing on STEM and innovation. All camps are free and held at either the Michigan Engineering Zone in Midtown Detroit or the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus.
Campers learn new skills while strengthening their scientific and mathematical understanding through hands-on engineering projects. They also meet professional engineers, learn about technology tools and their applications, build their own projects, and explore future careers!
| Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab Camps | Eligibility | Dates & Locations |
|---|---|---|
Tech for Good Camp Students explore careers in engineering and technology and use Arduino microcontrollers to prototype inventions that will improve their lives and communities. |
Rising 7th graders in Southeast Michigan |
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Wearable Tech for Good Camp Students build on their prior experiences in Tech for Good camp by exploring the world of connected devices and designing wearable technology that can improve lives. |
Rising 8th graders in Southeast Michigan, who have completed Tech for Good Camp |
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City Tech for Good Camp Students complete their Thinkabit Lab camp experiences by learning about autonomous vehicles and designing smarter cities. |
Rising 8th & 9th graders in Southeast Michigan, who have completed Wearable Tech for Good Camp |
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Applications for our summer camps typically open in February of each year. Complete this interest form to receive email updates when our summer camp applications become available.
FIRST Robotics
Since 2010, the Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ) has been connecting professional engineers, University of Michigan students, and other volunteers with Detroit-area high schools to create a community of learning through FIRST Robotics. Students learn industry-standard techniques to design, build, program, and test competitive robots for local FIRST Robotics Competitions. Click here to learn more about FIRST and their programs for K-12 students.
The MEZ supports approximately 20 high school robotics teams annually, providing build space, tools and machines, training and support, and adult mentors to assist teams in reaching their competition and learning goals.
How to Join
- If you are a high school student or parent, reach out to your school directly to inquire if your school has a FIRST Robotics team and how to get involved.
- If you are a robotics coach or school leader interested in joining the MEZ, please email us at mezdetroit@umich.edu.
- If you are an adult volunteer, industry professional, or enthusiastic community member interested in working with high school robotics teams, email us at mezdetroit@umich.edu to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Future Ready Scholars
Future Ready Scholars at the University of Michigan is a STEM-focused, college and career preparation program for high school students in Southeast Michigan. Participants spend two weeks in an immersive summer camp on the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus, developing their academic skills, exploring potential college and career pathways, and preparing for post-secondary success.
With guidance from instructors and college students, scholars learn about various STEM disciplines and tools (such as robotics, app development, computer-aided design, & entrepreneurship), and work together in collaborative teams to design and prototype brighter, healthier, and more just futures. Additionally, students participate in college and career readiness sessions covering SAT prep, college planning, networking, and financial literacy.
Learning opportunities continue during the school year through monthly Saturday Sessions at the Michigan Engineering Zone, providing ongoing opportunities for community engagement, professional development, and academic support.
This program is free to students and families.
Applications for Future Ready Scholars typically open in February of each year. Complete this interest form to receive email updates about this program.
College & Career Advising
High school students in Southeast Michigan are invited to participate in our College & Career Advising program, designed to help youth identify and reach their professional goals and navigate the college application and matriculation process with confidence and success.
What We Offer:
- Application Process Guidance: We walk students through each step of the application process, ensuring they have all the tools they need to succeed.
- Essay Assistance: Our advisors provide personalized feedback and support to help students craft compelling and authentic college essays.
- Overcoming Structural Barriers: We understand that each student faces unique challenges. Our program addresses these barriers, offering strategies and resources to help students reach their full potential.
- Managing College Expectations: We discuss what students can expect from college life and how to prepare for the transition from high school.
- FAFSA Assistance: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step in securing financial aid. Our team guides students and families through the FAFSA process to ensure they maximize their eligibility for financial aid.
- Scholarship Search Support: We help students identify and apply for scholarships at the university level, as well as public and private corporate scholarships, to further reduce the cost of college.
- SAT Preparation: We partner with local SAT Prep providers to provide a weekly virtual SAT prep course that provides strategies to tackle the test and increase your score.
Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary to succeed in their pursuit of higher education. Whether you are just beginning to think about college or are deep into the application process, our program offers valuable support at every stage. For those interested in applying to the University of Michigan, this is a great opportunity to get connected with the university recruitment teams and the undergraduate admissions office.
How to Enroll
To participate in the College & Career Advising program, complete our enrollment form here. If you have any questions or need further information, email us at mezdetroit@umich.edu.