The Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at the University of Michigan is a collaboration between Qualcomm and Michigan Engineering providing youth in the Detroit and Southeast Michigan area with a unique, hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) raising awareness of careers they may not know exist.
The Thinkabit Lab inspires year-round, hosting classes from local schools during the academic year and camp programs during the summer.
| Eligibility | Price | Program Dates |
| Current 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Michigan Residents | Free | Academic Year Programming: Tuesday through Thursdays |
Contact us
Contact Thinkabit Lab Coordinator Jessica Ely ([email protected]) for more details.
Typical Day
- Students arrive at the Detroit Center in the morning and receive their personalized badge
- Students begin the Career Exploration at Qualcomm activities to discover their own talents and are introduced to concepts in growing STEM fields, such as:
- Invention
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- 5G
- Creative robotics
- Data science and communications
- Lunch is provided
- Students then build on what they learned in the Career Exploration at Qualcomm by engaging in fun and inventive, hands-on engineering projects, guided by trained, experienced Thinkabit Lab instructors. They learn:
- Basic electrical engineering and computer programming
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Application of STEM concepts to their own inventions
Facts and Figures
- Lab serves up to 30 students per day, three days/week, 3,000 students in a year!
- The MEZ Detroit location is one of three cornerstone Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab sites across the nation, putting it at the forefront of this STEM engagement program.
Benefits of Thinkabit Lab
- Students get exposure to STEM concepts and careers essential to tomorrow’s workforce, not only at Qualcomm, but also in every aspect of building the wireless, IoT and 5G ecosystems.
- The experience opens students’ eyes to careers they may not know exist.
- Unique hands-on engineering activities encourage students to be inventive.
- The lab provides a free and accessible STEM experience for youth in the Southeast Michigan area.
Contact
For more information, please email us at [email protected].
MEZ Background
Located in the heart of Midtown Detroit, the MEZ is a place for middle and high school students of Southeast Michigan to learn, grow and lead. As part of Michigan Engineering, the MEZ strives to provide world-class STEM resources, instruction and counseling to students who very well may be the next generation of Victors. The MEZ offers three multi-year programs in partnership with Michigan Engineering, providing students with the opportunity to engage in experiential learning. These programs are designed to be flexible, allowing students to participate on a year-by-year basis as they pursue their engineering interests.