Kansas City opens student engineering zone

The combined efforts of Kansas City students, government officials, and contractors has led to the official opening of the Kansas City Engineering Zone (KC EZ), the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said Monday.

KC EZ, a pilot program that includes high school FIRST Robotics teams, was initiated by the KC STEM Alliance, a group of education professionals, business partners and affiliates who promote student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Students in KC EZ will now have the ability to compete in the upcoming FIRST Robotics competition in March.

NNSA donated machining equipment that will allow high school students from Kansas City’s inner schools to participate in STEM activities and FIRST Robotics.

Turnout during the first week that the center has been open has inspired the alliance to dream of bigger and better things for KC EZ such as holding STEM summer camps and recruiting additional robotics teams. KC STEM wishes to attract people of all interest levels while encouraging students to explore their curiosity in science.