Fueling Imagination: IGNITE Innovation Showcase

IGNITE 2024 Celebrates Student Creativity at Iowa State

AMES, IA- The IGNITE Innovation Showcase is an annual celebration of student creativity at Iowa State University. Hosted by the Student Innovation Center, this event brings together creators from across campus to showcase their accomplishments and projects.  

On Tuesday, April 30th finalist teams presented their innovative solutions to a panel of judges for the Innovation Challenge Competition. Teams competed for a share of $15,000 in early seed funding. Three of the winning teams from 2023 also gave progress updates on their projects from the past year, including their engagement in developmental activities and prototyping. 

The week was highlighted by showcases on all floors of the building. Highlights included:

• Made in Iowa, an interdisciplinary College of Design studio in which students
  engaged in ongoing research on lower carbon 3D printed concrete made from local waste materials.
• In the Fashion Archive, a College of Human Sciences Apparel, Merchandising and Design display of garments and mood boards from the Textile and Clothing Museum.  
• Bicycle Studio, a capstone project for College of Design where students researched the history of bicycles and explored innovative ways to rethink this classic mode of transportation. Through woodworking, metalworking, and other skills, they manufactured their own fully functional bicycles using the Student Innovation Center Makerspaces. 
• View the full list of showcases on display here.
  

The Interactive Expo on Thursday, May 2nd had the Student Innovation Center hopping with liveliness. Hands-on activities for creativity and fun were on full display. Experiences included: 

• A pastry demonstration in the Culinary Creation Lab where students got to get hands-on baking experience with faculty from the Hospitality Management program.
• Gaffer’s Guild demonstrations with presenters talking through their process of blowing glass.  
• Make & take a print, students had the opportunity to try a letterpress machine from the Letterpress Makerspace and got to walk away with a custom print.  
• Students had the opportunity to walk the red carpet in the Digital Media Studio, complete with their own Glambot slow-motion video shoot. 
• Guests got to step into a world of virtual reality in the Viz Lab through a student designed escape room.
• With laser engrave your name, guests had the opportunity to see the laser machines in action and even receive their own personalized tag.
• Floral design was a popular station where guests could build their own bouquet.
  
• Special innovative treats were provided by Sparks Café and ISU Catering. Sparks offered unique samples of lemonade and Catering offered dragon’s breath and guests were breathing fire from the liquid nitrogen-doused cheese balls. 
• See the full list of activities here.

The IGNITE Innovation Showcase exemplifies the incredible power of creativity that runs through the DNA of Iowa State. From groundbreaking research to hands-on projects, students continue to shape the future through their inventive ideas. Thank you for joining us at IGNITE 2024.