A closeup of a robotic arm attached to a desk with a blurred out background

What is MEERA?

Preparing students for future careers in manufacturing.

The MEERA program is a turnkey K-12 manufacturing education program designed to inspire and train the next generation of the manufacturing workforce. Our mission is to present all students with the opportunity to see themselves in a vital career. By customizing solutions for each region, we help direct youth to educational and workplace opportunities in their community.

Closeup of a drill boring into a piece of metal

MEERA is the catalyst to super-charge regional manufacturing workforce pipelines.

Your path to a career in manufacturing

MEERA offers a turn-key, competency-based manufacturing education solution that presents students with the opportunity to see themselves in a manufacturing career.

MEERA middle school is designed to expose students to manufacturing and increase interest – the program is exciting and focuses on hands on contextual learning.

MEERA includes applied manufacturing labs using industry relevant tools and technology that is designed for classroom implementation and offers a customized solution to direct youth to educational and workplace opportunities in their community.

MEERA offers a turn-key, competency-based academy model.

MEERA’s academy model works with base high schools to continue to provide comprehensive curriculum that builds on the foundational skills taught in MEERA Middle School.

MEERA High School offers students the opportunity to make more informed education and career choices as the program begins to become more focused on specific manufacturing disciplines.

Enter Workforce

High School CTE

Part of MEERA’s commitment to comprehensive curriculum comes from understanding the knowledge needed for students entering into CTE programs. By working with CTE teachers, our curriculum includes lessons that directly correlate to the skills that are built upon in available courses or through a dual enrollment program. *Many students choose to enter the manufacturing workforce after graduation and the completion of a dual enrollment program.

Enter Workforce

Post-Secondary

Students may select to pursue a higher education degree after graduating high school or the completion of a dual enrollment program. The MEERA Middle School and MEERA High School programs offers a variety of lessons that focus on topics that relate to engineering and design, and encourages students to explore all types of manufacturing, including careers that require a 4-year degree.

Ultimate Goal:

CAREER IN MANUFACTURING

A student wearing safety glasses standing in front of a 3-D printer and looking at another student wearing safety glasses.

Starting early is
the key

Early exposure to manufacturing encourages deeper learning and greater awareness to exciting career opportunities. MEERA starts with middle school, using unique and engaging lab activities. All lessons and activities are designed for 45-minute class periods, with the 6th grade course lasting nine weeks and the 7th and 8th grade course lasting 18 weeks.

Learn More

Through structured lab experiences, collaborative challenges, and guided inquiry, middle school learners connect classroom concepts with practical applications. MEERA’s flexible curriculum supports diverse learning styles and seamlessly aligns with school schedules, ensuring an engaging and achievable pathway for both teachers and students. The result is an innovative learning environment where students develop the foundational skills needed for high school programs, career exploration, and beyond.

List of disciplines:

Additive Manufacturing
CNC Machining
Electronics
Future of Work
Manufacturing Engineering
Non-Destructive Testing
Robotics
Welding
Workplace Readiness

A flexible curriculum integrated into existing courses and supported by regional trainers, offering certification opportunities and portfolio development for future careers. Students engage in project-based learning, taking ownership of manufacturing work in a hands-on lab environment that builds teamwork, industry skills, and job readiness.

List of disciplines:

Computer-Aided Design
Engineering Drawings
Industry 4.0 & Artificial Intelligence
Tools of the Trade (Foundational Workplace Tools and Practices)
Metrology & Laser Technologies
Materials Science Engineering
Welding & Fabrication
Automation & Robotics
Professional Portfolio Development

Advanced Manufacturing Capstone Tracks

Digital Manufacturing and Engineering
Emerging Manufacturing Technologies
Manufacturing and Quality Engineering

By incorporating hands-on experiences, MEERA makes complex and often intimidating subjects relatable, and even fun.

Megan Kotnik – MEERA Michigan

MEERA Instructor – Charles Hackley Middle School

The launch of Michigan’s first MEERA training center is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality CTE experience and programs. By engaging middle school students, MEERA is opening doors to promising futures in fields like machining, welding, engineering and more. We are proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing MEERA grow across the state.

Celena A. Mills, Director

Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education