Annual Makeathon Designs Life Changing Adaptive Solutions:
The Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) Makeathon brought together over 175 participants to work on projects that addressed the unique challenges of "need knowers"—individuals living with disabilities, the elderly, and underserved communities. This event highlighted TOM’s mission to create affordable, user-centered solutions. Click here to read more.
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Wond'ry Founder Sudiksha Singhal Wins This Year's SEC Pitch Competition
Vanderbilt University is proving to be a strong contender not only on the football field but also in the entrepreneurial arena of the SEC. This year, second-year student Sudiksha Singhal, founder of Brace Cap, took first place in the SEC Pitch Competition. Remarkably, Sudiksha was just a high school student when she first approached the Wond’ry to participate in the Sullivan Family Ideator program. Click here to read more.
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Meet the 2024 Space Edge Accelerator Cohort participants:
From developing sustainable food systems and cutting-edge medical devices to radiation shielding and advanced molecular tools, these talented individuals are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the space economy.
Get to know the cohort members and see how they’re shaping the future of space tech and research. Check out the full post here.
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Human-Centered Design (HCD) Workshop with Cox Enterprises
Participants from across Vanderbilt’s diverse disciplines came together to dive into hands-on HCD exercises, including 'How Might We' questions, creative matrix sessions, and concept poster creation.
A big thank you to the HCD Cox Enterprises team for guiding participants through the activities and sharing their expertise in real-world problem-solving approaches. We can’t wait to see how these new skills inspire future innovations across campus. All participants received a design thinker badge after the workshop.
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Brainstorming Session at the Bridgestone-Vanderbilt Accelerator
Vanderbilt University and Bridgestone Americas met for their 2nd annual Vanderbilt-Bridgestone Innovation Accelerator. This event brought dozens of Vanderbilt faculty and staff members from across the university together with Bridgestone executives and engineers. The Wond'ry participated this year by leading participants through a brainstorming session, to allow for greater output of ideas and potential future innovations, and to foster collaboration and networking among the participants.
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Honoring Service and SacrificeThis Veteran’s Day, we’re proud to spotlight Wond’ry staff member, Cecilio Ponce, who shared his experiences and insights at Vanderbilt’s annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast. Thank you, Cecilio, for your service and for inspiring our community with your dedication. We’re grateful for all the veterans and their families who contribute so much to our lives every day.
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Venture Spotlight: Annika Lundström Secures $500,000 Investment for Cortisol-Measuring Technology to Transform Mental Health Care
Annika Lundström, former Youth Olympic table tennis player from Finland, is now the CEO of ReMinded, a startup revolutionizing mental health care. Her project—a device measuring cortisol via saliva—offers new, data-driven insights for mental health assessments. Annika recently advanced her work through the Sullivan Family Ideator Program at the Wond’ry. Read more.
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Upcoming Programs & Events:
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CIA Student and Advisor Applications are Now Open
The Climate Innovation Accelerator engages a network of local universities, small businesses, & nonprofits to advance the city’s leadership initiatives toward a climate positive future through a 10-week, no-cost, cohort learning journey.
Click here to learn more.
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Designing Garments to Serve New Moms Nov. 18 Workshop:
Through a FAB Lab community partnership with Family Connects Colorado at Boulder County Public Health, utilizing feedback gathered in focus group, we will design and make customized garments to serve new moms in their emotional and physical journey in the weeks following giving birth.
Learning outcomes will include the human centered design process for problem solving, tools and techniques for designing clothing, and some sewing and pattern drafting fundamentals.
No prerequisites for this workshop, although having taken Sewing Fundamentals is recommended. Register Here
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Sewing Fundamentals Workshops: Nov. 19Come to learn all about the fundamentals of hand and machine sewing. Register Here
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Quilting for Beginners: Nov. 20We will be cutting quilting squares, and sewing them in a variety of configurations utilizing straight lines, to use for pillows, quilts, and any other projects. We will provide fabrics, but feel free to bring clothing to upcycle or your own fabrics to use if you want to make something with personal meaning. Register Here
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Social Venture Think Tank Apps Now OpenSocial Venture Think Tank (SVTT) is an 8 week long program where students, staff, faculty, and community partners learn the landscape and various models that exist to launch a social enterprise through frameworks including human-centered design and the social enterprise canvas model to go from idea to prototype with an emphasis on the triple bottom line.
Click here to learn more.
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VR Open House: Nov. 20 & Dec. 4Immerse yourself in the world of virtual reality every Wed. from 5-8 PM! Join us on the 2nd floor Makerspace Common Room for a hands-on VR experience with a maker tech there to assist with any questions you may have. All skill levels are welcome.
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Social Innovation Lunch & Learn: Nov. 21Join us for a chance to learn about Spring Semester programming hosted by the Social Innovation practice area of the Wond'ry on Nov. 21, at 11:45 AM on the 3rd Floor Lounge. Register Here
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New Class Alert: Master of Liberal Arts and Science
MLAS 6200: Seminar in Fine and Creative Arts - The History of Fashion: Theory and Practice.
Wednesday | 6:00-8:30 PM, 01/13/2025 - 04/21/2025
Engineering & Science Building 202.
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AI Showcase Fall 2024 - Experience the Future of AI at Vanderbilt
Join us for an exhibition-style showcase where Vanderbilt's brightest minds demonstrate their innovative AI solutions across diverse disciplines. This celebration of achievement features interactive presentations highlighting the transformative power of AI in tackling real-world challenges. Students can submit their own projects, while faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate outstanding AI work they've observed or supervised - from class projects to research initiatives. Read more about the showcase.Important Dates:
Project Nomination Deadline: November 22nd, 2024
Showcase Date: December 6th, 2024
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The Brock Family Center for Applied Innovation is hosting a Concept to Commercialization lecture on November 19 at 12 PM in 208 Light Hall. The lecture will feature Dr. Bryan J. Marascalchi as he shares his entrepreneurial journey.
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Challenges and Opportunities:
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