Student Innovation Center
Search Close Search
Toggle Menu
Student Innovation Center

Innovation Programs

Participants sitting at tables and engaging in an Innovation Workshop

Activate Your Imagination

The Student Innovation Center believes every Iowa Stater is an innovator. We’re here to help you embrace your creativity, practice your problem-solving skills, and increase your confidence to solve real world problems.  

Join us for an innovation program, event, or challenge designed to explore creative confidence, the innovation process, and other trending topics that will help turn your ideas into action. 

  • Looking over the shoulder while someone sketches out their ideas in a workshop

    Innovation Workshops & Events

    Our workshops are hands-on, interactive sessions that introduce tools and techniques for innovation. Perfect for students, faculty, and staff at any stage, these workshops help participants approach challenges with fresh ideas and forward-thinking solutions. 

  • Student presenting their Applied AI Challenge project to a large group of people seated in the Launch Pad

    Challenges

    Student Innovation Center challenges invite you to explore real-world problems alongside students from different majors and perspectives. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas, building prototypes, or pitching solutions, the focus isn’t on having the perfect answer. It’s about learning through the process of innovation. 

  • Tera giving a tour in the Electronics, Textiles, and 3D Printing Makerspace

    Group Activities and Tours

    Work with our Innovation Programs Team to create an experience tailored to your group’s interests and learning goals. Go beyond a tour with interactive activities designed to help participants reframe problems, explore new possibilities, and think differently. Educational Experiences, lasting approximately 2 hours, include a brief introduction to innovation or creativity, a guided tour, and a hands-on activity to put ideas into action. 

Headshot of Abram Anders.

Every single Iowa State student can become an innovator. Our programs help students discover opportunities and develop skills to turn their ideas into reality and change the world for the better!

Abram Anders, Associate Director of the Student Innovation Center

  • Micro-Credentials

    Micro-credentials, issued as digital badges by Iowa State University, recognize specific skills you gain through hands-on learning in the Makerspaces. By earning micro-credentials, you demonstrate that you’ve taken the initiative to capture and showcase the skills that matter to your growth as a future employee. 

Not sure where to start?

Innovation looks different for everyone. If you want to explore how our programs can support your goals or simply have questions about what’s possible, our Programs Team can help you find the right starting point.

Collaborate with Us

Whether you’re working with a class or group, our Innovation Programs staff are available to discuss: 

  • Unique educational experiences for your team or group to practice creative techniques and explore the innovation process. 
  • Hands-on Workshops on topics including: brainstorming, creative confidence, empathy-driven innovation, collaboration, failure as a learning tool. 
  • And so much more… the possibilities are endless!

Abram Anders

Associate Director
adanders@iastate.edu

Headshot of Abram Anders

Tera Lawson

Senior Program Specialist
tjlawson@iastate.edu

Headshot of Tera Lawson

Rebecca Nation

Learning and Development Specialist
rgnation@iastate.edu

Headshot of Rebecca Nation