SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING MATHMATICS
(STEM)
STEM:
Cultivating Careers for Tomorrow’s Innovators
The cornerstone of our future talent pipeline, the NDIA Michigan STEM initiative fuels student passion for careers in tech and digital arts from K–12 through college. We collaborate, sponsor, and host hands-on programs designed to spark curiosity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math for Michigan’s students.
Key Highlights:
Do you know of a Michigan school or organization which host student programs which inspire young minds in STEM fields? Each year the Chapter recognizes schools and organizations around the state with monetary awards to put toward their STEM programs.
Do you know of a high school senior interested in pursuing a career in a STEM field? Our Chapter annually awards educational scholarships for seniors seeking STEM certificates and degrees from Michigan-based colleges and universities.
The NDIA Michigan is a proud supporter of the Higher Orbitz Go for Launch events. Go for Launch are multiday programs which use Space Exploration as a platform to launch student involvement into STEM, teamwork, communication and leadership. This program was developed to reach high school-aged students and it’s a great way to learn about STEM.
Does your organization have an intern program, or does it want to host an educational tour and/or program for young STEM students? We can help share the information.
Team RUSH from Clarkston has achieved remarkable success! As a proud recipient of the NDIA MI STEM Sponsorship, they triumphed at the Michigan State FIRST ROBOTICS Championship and advanced to the National Championship in Houston from April 29 to May 2. Their dedication, strategic thinking, and incredible teamwork truly shone through from the qualification matches to the playoffs.
Adding to their accolades, Team RUSH was thrilled to receive the Impact Award at the state level! This prestigious honor allowed them to present at the FIRST Championship in Houston, where they shared their inspiring outreach story and showcased the difference their team is making beyond just the competition.
Don’t miss out on all the excitement! Check out Team RUSH’s Michigan State Championship newsletter for highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and the journey that led to their amazing accomplishments. Follow their adventure as they compete against the best teams in the world on Instagram and Facebook @teamrush27. Exciting times ahead!
Choose a Topic to Get Started
Why STEM?
In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, our nation’s youth must be prepared with knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and understand how to evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills students develop while studying STEM disciplines. The need to understand and solve today’s complex challenges and meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving workforce, building students’ skills, knowledge, and understanding of STEM fields is essential. Plus, we must make sure that ALL children and teens, have access to STEM learning.
Unfortunately, the U.S. is not cultivating the number STEM students it needs to be recognized as dominant in technical and innovative fields. The skill level in science and math for students completing high school has decreased, and not enough U.S. students are interested in the STEM fields to maintain our competitive edge in a global economy. And the NDIA Michigan wants to help change this paradigm.
The NDIA Michigan Chapter has made it a top priority to support Kindergarten through College students, and motivate the next generation when it comes to STEM fields. We want to be part of the solution by engaging the local educational community and coordinating activities for NDIA members and organizations.
STEM Sponsorships Program
Our STEM Sponsorships support the development of our nation’s STEM workforce by encouraging our next generation to consider and pursue careers in STEM fields. If you know of a school or organization in need of additional funds to successfully execute their STEM programs, encourage them to complete our Sponsorship application.
The NDIA Michigan Chapter is thankful every day for our Nation’s military and veterans. And thanks to the dedicated men and women who chose to study STEM curriculums, our warfighters have the very best equipment and technology to complete missions. Our Chapter wants to ensure future warfighters continue to have the latest innovations and tools needed today and TOMORROW.
In the past, we have supported many school and organizational programs such as:
- Science Olympiad
- FIRST Robotics
- VEX Robotics
- FIRST Lego League
- Lawrence Tech’s Robofest
- Macomb Community College’s AUTOSTEAM
- Hero’s Alliance
- Square One
- Frog Force
- Math Competitions
As a non-profit organization, the NDIA Michigan Chapter has a limited amount of funding available to support requests. Sponsorship requests will be evaluated using several criteria including students’ ages, number of students impacted, STEM committee’s assessed value of the event, and overall mix of NDIA Michigan Chapter’s support for STEM events for the fiscal year. While all events may be worthwhile to support, support for all requests may not be possible.
Thank you for your interest and support of our nation’s young people in pursuing STEM careers!
NDIA STEM Scholarships
The NDIA Michigan Chapter wants to encourage high school students to consider career choices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to bolster our nation’s workforce. The Michigan Chapter is committed to support formal education in the sciences and policies to ensure a viable workforce in Michigan. The Chapter will be awarding scholarships for high school seniors seeking STEM field certificates and degrees from Michigan-based colleges and universities starting in the 2026 – 2027 academic year. The award amounts will be $1,500 for students seeking education at community colleges and $3,000 for students seeking education at universities. The scholarships are competitive and multiple scholarships will be awarded.
Higher Orbitz Go For Launch!
NDIA Michigan STEM: Go For Launch!
The NDIA Michigan Chapter is committed to building the next generation of scientists, engineers, and defense industry professionals right here in Michigan. One of our flagship efforts is our ongoing partnership with Higher Orbits and their nationally recognized Go For Launch! program.
About Go For Launch!
Go For Launch! is a multi-day, in-person program for 8th–12th grade students that uses space exploration as a launchpad for developing real-world skills in STEM, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Students work directly alongside astronauts, engage in hands-on science design labs, and compete to have their original experiments conducted in space — either aboard the International Space Station or on a suborbital flight.
Since partnering with Higher Orbits, the NDIA Michigan Chapter has helped bring this experience to students across the state, and we’re proud to continue expanding its reach.
Get Involved!
For Students & Families: Student participation is intentionally kept affordable thanks to the generous support of sponsors such as the NDIA Michigan Chapter. See the current event flyer for dates, location, and registration details.
For Sponsors: Higher Orbits offers a range of sponsorship opportunities — from in-kind donations to presenting-level partnerships — that put your organization directly in front
of the next generation of Michigan’s STEM workforce. Visit higherorbits.org or contact sponsors[at]higherorbits.org to learn more.
Check the flyer here for this year’s event details, including location, dates, and how to register or sponsor.
Volunteering & Internships
The Chapter welcomes involvement from our members and non-members to assist with STEM initiatives. Any type of support would be greatly appreciated. We welcome additional ideas to enhance the Chapter’s STEM efforts. Support opportunities include:
Hosting a Tour
The DPS Outreach initiative links Michigan businesses with students to offer learning opportunities through presentations and facility tours. Onsite presentations at local businesses can be scheduled throughout the school year based on volunteer availability.
Becoming a Mentor
The FIRST Robotics team always needs mentors in mechanics, electronics, pneumatics, fundraising, business, web site management, public relations, etc.. The season runs 1 August to 30 June, with intensity variations.
Onsite Volunteering
Volunteers are needed throughout the season to support local Science Olympiad workshops and events. Volunteers are needed every summer to assist at STARBASE camps. Please inquire for locations and time durations. STARBASE features members of industry who wish to demonstrate career opportunities in STEM related fields. Onsite school presentations can be scheduled throughout the school year based on volunteer availability.
Additional STEM involvement and support options:
- Present technology and career briefings
- Coach technology teams
- Fund Scholarships
- Host internships and job-shadowing
Good News Stories
DETAILS IN PROGRESS