What is the Wond'ry?
As we embark on a new year filled with possibilities and promise, we like to reflect on who we are and what we stand for at the Wond'ry. The video below offers a picture of our unique innovation center through the eyes of both past and current participants, capturing the essence of what makes the Wond’ry a cornerstone of creativity, innovation, and collaboration at Vanderbilt University.
The Wond’ry is not just a space; it's a dynamic hub where ideas are nurtured and dreams are brought to life. Here, students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines and levels converge and collaborate, transcending traditional boundaries to ignite innovation and foster real change. The Wond’ry serves as the key connection point for those driven by a passion to explore and create.
This video is an invitation to discover and celebrate the spirit of innovation that defines us at the Wond’ry – a place where every member of our campus community is encouraged to build, explore, and care. As we look ahead, let's embrace the boundless opportunities for growth and discovery that the Wond’ry continues to offer at Vanderbilt University.
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SXSW: South by Southwest Immersive Regional I-Corps Program
We're thrilled to announce that we're headed back to the vibrant city of Austin, TX on March 9th-16th for another edition of the Immersive Regional I-Corps program at SXSW!
SXSW (South by Southwest) is not just an event; it's a unique convergence of music, film, and technology that has become the premier destination for dreamers, innovators, storytellers, and global thought leaders. This year, we're offering an incredible opportunity for our Vanderbilt student entrepreneurs to dive deep into the world of customer discovery right in the heart of this dynamic festival, with an all expense paid trip.
Come test and refine your ideas, and take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level. Click here to apply.
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New Year, New Event Calendar System
We're excited to share our new event calendar system. It's designed to make discovering and participating in our events a breeze. Here's a quick peek at what's in store:
🔎 Explore our upcoming Wond'ry events in a snap with a search bar– from workshops to talks, there's something for everyone.
🔄 Easily toggle between monthly, list, and thumbnail views to fit your preference.
➡ Choose between different areas with our filters to find events that spark your interest.
📅 Subscribe to the whole calendar or any specific event.
Take a moment to check out the new system and let the adventure begin! Registration is just around the corner for lots of upcoming opportunities. We're looking forward to seeing you at our next event.
You can view the new event calendar here.
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Founder Visit from Cynthia Cohen
We had the honor of hosting Cynthia Cohen at the Wond'ry Launch Space, as she worked with our Founder Program participants. It was an enriching experience for our female founders, as they met with Cynthia and presented their ventures for invaluable insights and feedback.
We are immensely grateful to Cynthia for her time, wisdom, and encouragement. Our women founders left the session energized, inspired, and ready to take their ventures to new heights. Thank you, Cynthia, for being a beacon of inspiration and for making a significant impact on our community.
Let's continue to build, innovate, and grow. Here's to many more such empowering sessions at the Wond'ry!
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The Art of Mending Workshop
Participants were taught basic sewing techniques, and then had the opportunity to apply those skills to a meaningful piece of textile art. The goal was to find ways to work with clients to aid in the healing process by making items with meaning, and to build community through the process of making.
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Programs: Check out all of the exciting initiatives in the Wond'ry areas!
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Climate Innovation Accelerator Applications Close January 14th:
The Climate Innovation Accelerator engages minority-led small businesses, and nonprofits to advance Nashville’s goals toward a climate positive future through a 10-week, no-cost learning journey, alongside student teams and skilled advisors.
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Builder Program: Applications Close January 14th
Have you already completed the Wond’ry’s Ideator Program?Have you found problem-solution fit for your idea (there is an identified value proposition for a defined customer segment supported by evidence from customer discovery)? Are you ready to learn what it takes to launch a new venture or pursue licensing? Click here to register. Applications close Jan. 14th at 11:59 PM
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IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Course: Applications Close January 21st
Are you eager to revolutionize your problem-solving skills and drive better business outcomes? Do you want to get hands-on experience with Design Thinking practices and boost your professional toolkit? Apply to the Spring 2024 cohort of IBM Enterprise Design Thinking today! This 10-week program follows a hands-on learning approach with 30% lectures and 70% group activities. Through engaging activities such as user research simulations, ideation sessions, and prototyping exercises, you will gain a deep understanding of the design thinking framework and its practical applications, empowering you to solve real-world industry challenges effectively. You won't just learn theory; you'll get to apply your newly acquired knowledge in a real-world setting. Working alongside a community partner organization, you'll apply design thinking solutions to help tackle challenges within their organization.
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Social Changemakers Program: Applications Close January 14th
Social Changemakers (SC) is a 12-week immersive program in which students learn and apply human-centered design to co-create new capabilities addressing a specific need of a community partner working on complex social, economic and environmental challenges. Community partners are student-driven, through either a student-led nonprofit (established for at least a year) or a pre-existing student engagement with a local nonprofit. Students work in small teams and have the opportunity to strengthen skills, from collaboration and leadership to project design and management.
Applications are about to close!
- Team Lead Application for students interested in leading a student team (Deadline: Jan. 14th) Click here to apply.
- Student Application for students to apply solo or be matched with a team; students can indicate who they already want to be paired with (Deadline: Jan. 14th) Click here to apply.
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Upcoming Events: Our events are not only area-focused but also collaborative efforts with both campus-led and community partner initiatives.
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Making & Design Workshops are Kicking Off!
Get ready for an exhilarating new semester at The Wond’ry Makerspaces, where creativity knows no bounds! Our unique and engaging workshops are designed for makers of all skill levels. From basic sewing to advanced soldering, and everything in between, there's something for everyone.
View all of the workshops at our Wond'ry Event Calendar.
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I-Corps Info Session: Jan. 17th
Join Mid-South Hub Director, Charleson Bell, to learn more about NSF's National Innovation-Corps, an immersive entrepreneurial training program and $50,000 grant for research commercialization! Click here to register.
Jan. 17th, 3:00 - 4:00 PM via Zoom
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Save the Date for Map the System Presentations!
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Social Innovation Bootcamp: March 1st
Social Innovation Bootcamp gives Vanderbilt and Nashville community Partners the opportunity to explore social innovation through an introduction to the social innovation landscape from design thinking to field application.
Participants will engage in a 4-session, half-day, crash course where they will experience hands on learning and expand their social innovation network to become equipped with the necessary tools and skills to drive social change.
Click here to apply.
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Khalil Ekulona, Host of WPLN’s ‘This Is Nashville,’ to Speak at Vanderbilt’s 2024 MLK Day Commemorative Event
Khalil Ekulona, host of the Nashville Public Radio program This Is Nashville, will be the keynote speaker for Vanderbilt University’s 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. The keynote is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15th, in Sarratt Cinema and is open to the university community. The event also will be livestreamed.
The theme of this year’s MLK Day commemoration is “One Vanderbilt. One Nashville. One Dream.” The theme is a nod to the history of the university, where generations of Nashvillians have come together to learn and serve. As King mentioned in his historic 1963 address at the Lincoln Memorial: “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
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Discovery Lecture Series
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has launched the Discovery Lecture Series featuring the world's most eminent scientists, who will speak on the highest-impact research and policy issues in science and medicine today.
February 8th | 4:00 PM | Location: 208 Light Hall
-Chair, Computational and Systems Biology Program Latham Family Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School
-Professor of Pediatrics, Senior Investigator, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital
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Renaissance Women's Summit: February 24th
The Renaissance Women's Summit is back for another year, and we at the Wond'ry are thrilled to be part of this empowering event! Join us on February 24th, 2024, for a day filled with inspiration, networking, and growth. This summit is a celebration of women entrepreneurs, offering a space to learn, connect, and ignite the powerful woman within. Let's rise, thrive, and create our renaissance together!
Click here to learn more!
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Get Tickets to 'Show Her The Money' Film Screening on Sunday, February 25th:
One of the summit's highlights this year is the exclusive debut of ' Show Her The Money,' an award-winning documentary that unveils a powerful narrative never before told. This groundbreaking film sheds light on the stark reality that women receive less than 2% of venture capital funding and takes you on a journey to demystify the world of venture capital.
On Sunday, February 25th, we invite you to the Sarratt Cinema on Vanderbilt's Campus for an exclusive screening of the documentary at 12:00 PM CST. Summit ticket holders enjoy a discounted admission to this cinematic experience that promises to be both eye-opening and empowering. To build anticipation, we'll be premiering the trailer of 'Show Her The Money' at the summit before delving into a thought-provoking panel discussion on women and funding.
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Challenges and Opportunities:
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Join the Wond'ry Internship Network:
The Wond’ry Internship Network (WIN) provides a platform for undergraduate and graduate students from Tennessee-based institutions of higher learning to reach their inner innovator. Students can explore their passions by choosing between a variety of opportunities within one of the many Wond’ry practice areas (Biomedical Innovation, Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Research & Design, Making, the Launch Incubator, and the Wond’ry itself). Through each project, interns not only learn relevant skills but also make an impact by assisting in trailblazing work. Click here to sign up for the newsletter and receive opportunities to apply.
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More Opportunities:
- New Ideas: A Dialogue Project Competition- Learn More
Mar. 1 | Deadline: Jan. 16 - ARPA-E Summit Student Program- Learn More
May 22-24 | Deadline: Jan. 29
- EnergyTech University Prize, 2024- Learn More
Apr. 19 | Deadline: Feb. 1
- ARPA-E Summit PITCHES Session- Learn More
May 22-24 | Deadline: Mar. 22
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Support Our StudentsBy making your tax-deductible gift to our Wond’ry Student Project Fund, you help us award students with the funding they need to turn their ideas into reality. Donate here.
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