College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
A student with a bike next to a Kalamazoo Metro bus.

Strengthening our community

At WMU, you will build a commitment to the future by connecting with diverse groups and empowering your community.

Western Michigan University is focused on strengthening the presence of community engagement on and off campus. The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences cultivates relationships through relevant, engaging, and innovative outreach programs that encourage a system where organizations can utilize resources to improve business and education.

Events

A small kid doing an experiment with a small boat in water being blown by a fan.

Fun with science and engineering camps

Two camps, Energy in Action and Float, Fly, and Lift, include activities modeled after elementary and middle school level competitions from the Science Olympiad. Young engineers are exposed to the exciting complexities of engineering in a relaxed and fun environment. These programs help young students learn more about engineering concepts such as different forms of energy, buoyancy, density, and aerodynamics while experiencing all that WMU’s Parkview campus has to offer.

Engineering Camps
Science Olympiad.

Science Olympiad

Qualifying regional teams compete in various challenges for medals, trophies, and scholarships for their ability to demonstrate knowledge in STEM. Michigan Science Olympiad brings hundreds of students from across the region to meet over 150 faculty, staff and Western community members who facilitate the event, which also showcases the University to top STEM students while encouraging them to pursue their goals in engineering. WMU is home to the Region 10 tournament and will also host the 2024 State Tournament.
Science Olympiad at WMU

Additional events

Dr. Wassnaa Al-Mawee presenting to students.

Custer Speaker Series

The Custer Speaker Series connects business professionals with Western students and community members. Guest speakers from various industries, backgrounds, and countries eager to facilitate rising in broadening their understanding of the world.
Students with their projects at Innovation Expo.

Innovation Expo

Students of all ages from across Michigan pitch their inventive ideas to a panel of community judges, boosting confidence, creativity and entrepreneurship. By providing the opportunity for students to promote their own products, models, and prototypes, Innovation Expo encourages educators to include engineering and entrepreneurship in their curriculums. WMU students serve as role models, regional businesses sponsor students project; sponsors stay connected to important topics while developing early access to talent.
Students build a rocket

Rocket Launch

The Western Michigan University chapter of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi works to inspire area elementary students to pursue careers in STEM. The chapter offers a program in building and launching water-powered bottle rockets as an exciting introduction to the world of engineering.

A Western senior holding their senior engineering design project.

Senior Engineering Design Conference

The Senior Engineering Design Conference is a culminating project for graduating students. With innovation driving the engineering field, students test their knowledge and skills on a real-world challenges by creating solutions to issues for local organizations, the Kalamazoo community, and WMU’s campus. Whether designing a sensory garden, updating the power distribution of a soccer complex lighting, or addressing a municipal water filtration system, student projects demonstrate fresh perspectives and develop.