Over 100 students and Need Knowers spent this past weekend prototyping open-sourced solutions, as part of the Tikkun Olam Makers annual makeathon. Students met with each of the Need Knower partners, to assess and understand their challenge, and utilized design thinking to co-create solutions. The weekend ended in a showcase with the need knowers and their families, seeing the output of the creative energy of our students work. If you would like to participate as a student or Need Knower in the next annual makeathon, you can email kevin.c.galloway@vanderbilt.edu and learn more about the global organization here. Check out the presentation of the projects below:
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Social Innovation Programs:
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Map the System Interest Meetings
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Are you interested in how to apply systems thinking to wicked problems? We are hosting interest meetings on December 7, 2022 from 9-6pm on the 1st floor of Olin/the Wond'ry - ESB Lobby. Come for a chance to learn more about Map the System at the Wond'ry (and stay to decorate and eat a donut!). Winners will proceed to finals and the global competition in Oxford, England. To learn more, email Jackie.Hansom@Vanderbilt.edu
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The Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center is launching a new Climate Innovation Accelerator this February that engages exclusively minority-owned small businesses or nonprofits. This 10 week, no-cost, executive education opportunity provides business owners an nonprofits an opportunity to gain insights from a corporate mentor with sustainability expertise and a student team dedicated to providing research and analysis for innovative opportunities that advance future-fit business and sustainability goals.
Application Links:
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Entrepreneurship Highlights:
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TuneHatch wins 3rd Place in Global Pitch Competition
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One of the Wond'ry's Founder ventures, TuneHatch, placed third among the top 100 collegiate ventures that competed to win new venture funding from the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, in their Global Pitch Competition. TuneHatch, founded by Christal Hector, Nathan Youseff, and Reece Franklin, is a web-based platform that uses predictive analytics to maximize fan turnout at concerts, helping artists and venues book more profitable shows and helping fans find the shows they'll love. Their pitch won them $4,000, which will assist in their overall goals to build and deploy key features faster, be more responsive to customer feedback, and increase the rate of customer adoption. You can view their pitch submission here.
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Wenitte Apiou represented the Wond’ry and Vanderbilt University at the SEC Pitch Competition that took place at Louisiana State University on October 3rd, 2022. He pitched his startup Daedalus, a no-code platform for algorithmic trading. The software and app replaces both manual trading and trading bot developers by saving traders time and increasing their revenue. Daedalus gives traders the tools to automate their investments, discuss their strategies, and invest in marketplace strategies. Daedalus is one of the twelve startups that compose the TechStars Chicago powered by JP Morgan Inaugural Class of 2022.
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ARMS Cyber Wins Business Grants
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ARMS Cyber, one of the Wond’ry-trained ventures that are also in the Launch Incubator, was awarded two non-dilutive small business grants through multiple SBIR programs. They were awarded a US Space Force, SBIR Phase I and a US Air Force, SBIR Phase 2 award — totaling over $1.3M in capital to further the development of their cybersecurity technology. ARMS Cyber provides cybersecurity for the Department of Defense and large enterprises. They focus on utilizing moving target defense techniques to mitigate the damage from zero day cyber attacks. The company founders, twin brothers Brad and Tim Potteiger, participated in Wond’ry programming, completed the NSF I-Corps National Program, won a number of pitch competitions, and have already received millions in grant support.
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Upcoming Events:There is always something going on at the Wond'ry!
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Oz Rashid, CEO and Founder of MSH, will walk us through how to make sure you are interviewing a potential employer as much as they are interviewing you, what are red flags to look for in the interview process, and what types of questions you can ask a potential employer to determine if they are the right fit for YOU.
Everyone deserves to feel fulfilled by their work. With as much time as we spend working, it’s up to you to ensure you have the opportunity to work with top talent, achieve your financial and professional goals, and work for an employer that values the “whole” you. In this discussion, Oz hopes to give anyone actively interviewing the tools they need to find the right team, company, and leader for them. Attend the session to learn to be prepared to select the right employer for your next career adventure. In addition, follow and learn from him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid/.
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| Quantum Computing Studio Events:
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Virtual Q& A with Scott Aaronson: Scott Aaronson is a prominent theoretical Computer scientist, who is a professor at University of Texas at Austin. His primary fields of research are quantum computing and computational complexity theory. For his contribution in the field, he was awarded with the prestigious Alan T. Waterman award 2012 and Association for Computational Machinery (ACM) Prize. He is also an author of multiple popular blogs and essays through which he communicates interesting ideas in quantum computing. One of his most recent best works is Quantum Computing Since Democritus, a book designed to provide its readers with a brief history of quantum computing and its applications. In this session, you would get an opportunity to ask Scott your queries related to quantum computing.
Click here to register
(Nov. 9 | 4-5:30 PM | Zoom)
Quantum Gaming Competition: Do you want to participate in a gaming competition based on Quantum Computing? Come learn about QiskitBlocks, a quantum computing minecraft gaming environment, and compete in a gaming competition.
There will be some great prizes for the winner of the competition!
Make sure you bring your laptop and chargers for this event, as you will need to download the software necessary to play on your computers.
Click here to register
(Nov. 16 | 7-8:30 PM | 2nd Floor of Wond'ry)
Attendance is limited so make sure to register quickly!
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Learn how a local nonprofit, Unscripted, uses the power of improv to heal, empower and connect in community. This will be an interactive session! Participation is not mandatory, and food will be provided. Friday, November 18, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, 3rd Floor, the Wond’ry
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Innovation Open Mic: Nov. 9In collaboration with I-Corps South at Georgia Institute of Technology, the Wond’ry hosts a monthly Innovation Open Mic event, where aspiring innovators are invited to practice presenting their ideas & projects to a panel of entrepreneurial experts & mentors. Register Here.
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Create Your Own Wire Tree: Nov. 15Join Sara Morice & learn how to create your own wire tree. We will provide different colors of wire, gemstone beads, & crystals to use as the base of your tree. Register Here.
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FAB Lab Holiday Workshops (Nov. 15, 17 & 29)
Unwind after a long day of classes by learning the basics of embroidery or by getting in the festive spirit and making holiday ornaments! Register Here.
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3D Design Custom Earrings: Nov. 29Come design & print fun earrings! (experience not required). Limited spots! Register Here.
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Sewing Workshop: Nov. 30
will teach basic hand & machine skills. This workshop is required for anyone who wants to come to the lab to do sewing. Register Here.
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Working at the Wond'ry
Current Full Time Positions:
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Tonya Brown, Administrative OfficerHi, I am Tonya Brown, a native of Tennessee. I was born and raised in Memphis and later moved to Nashville, where I earned my bachelor’s as well as master’s degree in Business Administration. I have always enjoyed being part of an administrative team to help ensure businesses flow smoothly. Throughout the years, I have gained experience working on sponsored projects as a Program Coordinator, Research Manager, and over the past 9 years my focus has been on grants management. I enjoy applying my skills and learning new ones to help move areas to another level.
One of my passions is helping families find resources and being a support when it comes to caring for their loved ones with a form of Dementia. I am an active volunteer with Walk to End Alzheimer’s, participate in Alzheimer’s studies, business owner, motivator, and look for ways to be innovative in caregiving. In my personal time, I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, swimming, pairing wines/food with my husband, and raising awareness of Alzheimer’s.
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Join building professionals and sustainability advocates from across the state to learn from the extraordinary projects and people contributing to a more sustainable built environment in Tennessee and across the South.
Panel #1: Vanderbilt University: An in-depth discussion on the FutureVU Sustainability program
In 2019, the university set a goal to power its campus entirely through renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Carbon neutrality was achieved in 2020, 30 years ahead of schedule. Additionally, during the past 13 years, Vanderbilt has become home to 24 LEED-certified buildings, WELL and Living Building Challenge PETAL projects. While the university’s sustainability and medical center departments have traditionally been separate, enhanced collaboration is improving the sustainability of both entities.
Attendees will also learn about other efforts on campus and in the Nashville community around sustainability, including on-site clean energy, decreased carbon footprint from vehicles, more green spaces on campus, reduced waste consumption and investments in sustainable infrastructure
This will be a moderated panel to start and will conclude with an open Q&A with the audience, so come ready with questions!
Click here to register
Thursday, November 10, 2022, 1:00 – 6:00 PM, 3rd Floor of the Wond’ry
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Challenges and Opportunities:
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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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