Kids from the class holding the CrunchLabs builds they made

Zach's Mitzvah Project
Build. Learn. Give Back.

Zach's STEM Learning

A free, hands-on science and engineering class for kids at local libraries and community centers - built one engineering box at a time.

Support a Session Read the Story

Impact So Far

17
Build Boxes Funded
$530
Raised So Far

About the Project

I started teaching STEM classes at the Highwood Library for free when I was in sixth grade. For my mitzvah project, I wanted to do something that felt like me — so I decided to make my ongoing teaching my mitzvah project.

Each session, I invited up to 10 kids, ages 8–12, to come learn hands-on STEM concepts using CrunchLabs build boxes — the same gadget-of-the-month boxes created by Mark Rober. Every box holds a different gadget or game to build, from disc launchers to rubber-band-powered machines.

I taught every class myself: building my own box step-by-step in front of the group first, explaining the engineering behind each part, and then helping each kid build their own.

I picked this project because I love building things and figuring out how they work — and I wanted younger kids in my community to feel that same excitement. Teaching it myself, box by box, made it personal instead of just writing a check. I started with Highwood because many kids there cannot afford to purchase the boxes, which cost about $30 each.

How It Works

1

I fundraise for the boxes

Before every class, I raise the money myself to buy that session's CrunchLabs build box for every kid — so the class stays completely free for families.

2

Ten kids, real attention

Each session is capped at 10 kids, ages 8–12, so I can actually help everyone — not just hand out kits and hope for the best.

3

We build together

We open each box at the same time and build the project step by step, together, while the kids learn science and engineering concepts - gears, launchers, circuits. I am there to pause and help every student.

Photos

Zach outside the Highwood Library & Community Center
Zach smiling during a build session
Kids working together on a CrunchLabs build
Zach helping a younger student with the launcher build
Zach showing a finished build to a student
Zach and a student comparing builds
Group of kids holding their finished disc launchers
Full class holding their completed builds together
Thank You & Get Involved

This wouldn't happen without a lot of help.

A build box costs about $30. But please, give whatever you are able. A huge thank you to the Highwood Library & Community Center for hosting our classes and giving these kids a great space to build and learn. If you'd like to help fund future sessions — or volunteer at one — I'd love to have you.

Zelle

Send via bank transfer.

312-806-6777 · zfaney@gmail.com

Venmo

Send a contribution directly.

@Ellen-Zfaney

Credit Card

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Donate via GoFundMe

The Story

Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah means you're old enough to be responsible for your own choices, and part of that is picking a project you actually give back with. I didn't want to just do something to check a box. I wanted kids to walk away with something that actually stuck.

I've always liked the idea that giving back isn't really optional — it's just what you do when you can. So I started thinking about what I could give kids that they wouldn't forget by the next week.

I landed on CrunchLabs, the build boxes made by engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober. Kids open the box, follow along, and by the end they're holding something they actually built — a real working gadget — and they learn the engineering behind it along the way. Not a worksheet. An actual thing in their hands.

I'm running it as a free class at the Highwood Library for kids 8 to 12. No cost, period. Money shouldn't be the reason a kid doesn't get to try this. I've already seen it happen — a kid holding something they built, realizing it works, and just lighting up. That's honestly the whole reason I'm doing this.

Every donation goes straight to buying more boxes so I can open this up to more kids. If you can help, you're basically giving a kid the chance to find out they're an inventor.

Thanks for being part of it.

— Zach