Make to Innovate is an in-person course. The pedagogy for this course is Project-Based Learning (PBL), implemented in a flipped classroom.  This means that we do not do a traditional lecture and lab time like most classes.  Instead, we use faculty advisors, TAs, and staff members to work with students and advise them as they work through problems that build up to them accomplishing their project goals.  This gives students more agency and allows them to engage directly in learning.  The hands-on part of this class is designed so that students learn through doing and applying what they have learned but also learn new skills that augment what they learn in other classes as they progress through their program of study.

Make to Innovate Organization

Make to Innovate is a program that involves several people to run and organize the program.  The program director oversees the class portion of M2I by creating all the assessments required within this course. He also keeps the lab funded and makes sure that the overall goal of M2I is being realized. The program coordinator oversees the day-to-day operations of the lab from project ordering, travel coordination, project management, student oversight, and lab oversight. 

Project Expectations

Those that wish to be a part of Make to Innovate should know what to expect from the program.  The following breaks down expectations from students and from the advisors who work with the students on each project.

Faculty/TA Advisors

Faculty and Teaching Assistant advisors play a critical role in the students’ learning in the Make to Innovate program. These advisors help and guide students as they work on their projects.  They serve as an invaluable source of information to the students.  Students are required to meet with their advisors at least bi-weekly.  In general, Make to Innovate expects that faculty advisors spend 1-2 hours a week working with the student group in some way, shape, or form.

Students

We use the following to assess students’ progress and performance:

This is a broad overview of what to expect in M2I. If you would like to know more, please reach out to the program coordinator, Christine.