Our Story
Make to Innovate is a project based learning classroom that introduces students to solving real world engineering problems through hands-on learning. Make to Innovate, or M:2:I, began in the Fall 2011 semester with the goal to get students involved in engaged in problem solving, building professional development skills, and to network with ISU Faculty and industry experts. To accomplish this M:2:I uses project based learning and pairs students with both a faculty advisor and technical advisors from industry. Several sponsors such as Boeing and Rockwell Collins have their talented engineers work as technical advisors which not only allows students to learn from experienced engineers, but also network with them which may help with the students move towards a career.
Today, Make to Innovate has grown to over 270 students spread across several departments and with 16 different projects. These projects range from sailboats, UASs, rockets, high altitude balloons and even space. While housed in the Aerospace Engineering department, we have students from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, as well as others. We also have students from Meteorology, Kinesiology, Business and other departments on campus. The projects that we are involved in are heavily multidisciplinary, so these students serve critical roles in making the overall projects a success.
Students at Iowa State University that are interested in becoming involved with Make to Innovate should speak to their advisor or please visit our website at https://m2i.aere.iastate.edu for more information.