Meeting the Urban STEM Challenge
Kansas City Engineering Zone, (KC EZ) is an innovative response to
address equity and access to STEM education and enrichment for
Kansas City’s K-12 urban students. It is a safe and supportive space
where students will have the opportunity to explore and pursue careers
that are vitally important to meet the demand for a robust STEM workforce
in the Kansas City region.
Launched in partnership with UMKC School of Computing and Engineering
and KC STEM Alliance, KC EZ is made possible by the generous
assistance of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and founding
project partners: US Engineering, NNSA, Honeywell, JE Dunn, BNIM and
Mark One Electric. The ongoing success of this initiative is dependent on
broad financial and volunteer support from area businesses, organizations,
schools, families and individuals.
Funding a Need
Please join the KC EZ family! Your financial contribution provides vital resources to support KC EZ and benefits students in many ways, including:
$10,000
$5,000
$2,500
$1,000
$500
$250
Provides sponsorship support of KC EZ with logo branding
on team robots and on a KC EZ work table.
“I’ve had many former students
tell me ‘FIRST Robotics made a
difference. I learned that I could
pursue engineering and figured
out which branch of engineering
I wanted to pursue.’ With support,
KC EZ can offer that inspiration to
even more urban students.”
Ivan Helmrich, Hallmark,
Product Engineer
Lincoln Prep Tigerbytes
Mentor, 10 years
“It seems like we have fewer
distractions at KC EZ than we did
in our small build room at school.
More room to spread out and work
in small teams with mentors.
Being part of this team, it opened
my eyes. Exposed me to more
computer technology. I like the
physics of the robot. Now, my
goal is to be an astrophysicist.”
Devin Edwards, Team member,
Paseo Robotics
Provides funding for FIRST Robotics team registration or a
STEM Summer Camp.
Provides transportation of students and/or FIRST teams or
sponsors a FIRST Tech Challenge team.
Provides funding for basic tools and equipment for a Rookie
team or a laptop
Provides resources for a Programming Workshop for
students and coaches
Provides snacks and meals for students during robotics
build season
“The mission of KC EZ goes
beyond creating a build space
for high school robotics with a
state-of-the-industry machine
shop. It’s a great start, but it’s just
the beginning. KC EZ is structured
to grow untapped resources—to
open doors for students who are
underrepresented on our college
campuses and in our STEM
workforce.”
Engineering a stronger STEM workforce,
right here in our own backyard.
space to create + innovate
Tim Moormeier,
President, US Engineering
KC EZ Volunteer
Project Manager
It’s Easy to Donate to KC EZ!
KC Engineering Zone is operated by KC STEM Alliance, a program of the
University of Missouri-Kansas City and tax-deductible gifts are collected
through the UMKC Foundation. Donate by check, payable to KC STEM
Alliance (memo: KC Engineering Zone);
KC STEM Alliance, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Ste. 403, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Donate online by visiting: https://ecommerce.umkc.edu/giving/ or call
KC STEM Alliance: 816-235-1509 or email kcstem@kcstem.org for more
information about corporate or individual contributions.
Wish List
If you are interested in donating items from our KC EZ Wish List,
please contact Denene Brox at KC STEM Alliance, 816-235-1509 or
kcstem@kcstem.org. We welcome donations and appreciate your
ongoing support.
Large Clock
Work Bench Stools
Trashcan on Wheels
Trash Bags
Kitchen Cabinets
Cellphone Charging Station
with USB ports
Fans (standing)
Horizontal Bandsaw
Tabletop Grinder
Metal Cabinets (2)
Soldering Irons (2)
Carpet for Practice Fields
(specific type)
Small Vacuum Cleaner
Shop Brooms, Hand Brooms and
Dustpans
Kitchen Towels
Large Clear Plastic Tubs with Lids
for Snack Storage
Miscellaneous Screws, Nuts and
Bolts
Industrial Hand Soaps
Spray Paints
Contact Cement, Spray Adhesives,
Epoxies
Gift cards to local Hardware and
Grocery Stores
3 D printers (2)
Paper Goods and Serving Utensils
Crockpot
Office Supplies
Lap Tops and Printers
Large Recycling Bins (2)
Building Materials
Sound Absorption Panels
Please visit www.kcstem.org or contact Laura Loyacono at KC STEM Alliance,
loyaconol@kcstem.org for more information on corporate sponsorships
and volunteer and mentor opportunities.
“The access KC EZ provides our
team is a huge plus. We’ve added
two hours each weekday to our
build schedule and with additional
hands-on mentors, plus the
equipment and tools – it’s going
to help our students take home the
real lesson we want them to learn
– the sense of accomplishment
that comes from seeing a project
through, from start to finish, as
a team.”
Kim Burke,
Paseo Academy Science Teacher
Paseo Robotics Coach, 10 years
“Being part of this team has given
me a lot more confidence. I’ve
done a lot of presentations to raise
financial and volunteer support.
Having to speak in front people,
that’s been good for me. I think
I want to be a statistician, but
seeing the variations of careers in
STEM – especially as a female –
I’ve been exposed to more options,
more role-models.”
Julia Kenneally, Team member,
Lincoln Prep Tigerbytes
“We know that when students
have experiences on college
campuses, surrounded by college
students and faculty, they are
more likely to pursue postsecondary education. KC EZ
offers a unique introduction to a
college campus setting and can
break down barriers that exist for
our urban students.”
Kevin Z. Truman, Dean
UMKC School of
Computing and Engineering