EXCITE! Open House

Join the EXCITE!ment at the Student Innovation Center

Join us for an exciting open house event. Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 4th from 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. for our annual kickoff celebration.

Students, faculty, and staff can look forward to engaging demonstrations, interactive games and activities, exclusive giveaways, delicious snacks, and plenty of fun.

Interactive Demos

Scan your ISUCard at each interactive demo to compete and win prizes. 

Capture and Create with 3D Scanning

Curious about how 3D scanning works? Want to see it in action or learn how to integrate it into your course or research? Ask questions, try out the technology, and discover new possibilities for teaching, learning, and design.

Room 2261 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Discover the Melco Embroidery Machine

A smart, easy-to-use tool that helps you decorate clothes, hats, and more with colorful designs. Whether you’re working on a school project or just love being creative, Melco makes it fast and simple to add professional-looking patterns and logos to fabric. It’s like having your own design studio right at your fingertips.

Room 2222 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Witness the Future of Footwear with the BAMBU H2D 3D Printer

Watch innovation in action as we print a full pair of shoes right before your eyes—yes, real, wearable shoes! This is just one thrilling example of what’s possible with 3D printing. From fashion to function, the BAMBU H2D empowers creators to bring bold ideas to life with precision, speed, and style. You can even win your own pair!

Outside Room 2222 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

See the Wood Lathe in Action

A wood lathe is the ultimate tool for bringing wood to life. With the power to spin raw blocks into stunning works of art, it lets you craft everything from custom pool cues, baseball bats, bowls, and custom handles. If you need to shape, carve, or sand a wood lathe transforms wood into extraordinary, one-of-a-kind creations. Perfect for those who love turning ideas into reality.

Across from Room 1202 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Experience New Technology with VR Welding

The VR welder is a skill building tool with the ability to allow for accurate practice of MIG welding techniques without having to use real material. Use the modified welding helmet or view the portable screen that gives technique feedback. Watch us set up specific welding scenarios for skill building.

Room 0235 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Step into the Spotlight and Become Part of the Green Screen Magic

With our green screen technology, you can walk right into your favorite movie scenes—whether you’re dodging dinosaurs, flying through space, or dancing in a musical. It’s your chance to have a little fun. Lights, camera, action!

Room 0140 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Student Organizations, Building Partners, and Makerspaces

SPARKS Cafe

Visit SPARKS on the fourth floor of the Student Innovation Center, a café that is entirely run by students.

Fourth Floor

Harvesting Innovation within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Check out the CALS Collaborative Learning Labs and see the innovative faculty/student projects.

Room 4227 & Room 4229

Explore Culinary Creation Lab: Hospitality in Action

Observe live workshops, discover unique hospitality management courses, and exciting opportunities in hospitality management.

Room 3238

Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship Jeopardy!

Entrepreneurship is for everyone at Iowa State! Come join us for entrepreneurship Jeopardy, prizes, and some knowledge about how you can use your skills and talents to benefit yourself.

Room 3231

Entrepreneur Club: Student Businesses!

Students can be business owners too! Stop by to check out businesses created by students in the Entrepreneur Club!

Outside Room 3231

AI Innovation Studio Makerspace

Join us to learn about the new AI Innovation Studio and see demonstrations of the technology available in this new Makerspace!

Room 3112

Swing Towards Success with Printing Services

Stop by Printing Services to elevate your printing game, one putt at a time. Whether it’s an important paper, a poster that pops, or a portfolio that screams “hire me,” Printing Services makes it easy, fast, and stress-free.

Room 2114

Digital Modeling and Visualization Lab Makerspace

Harnessing state-of-the-art technology and boundless creativity, this immersive space brings imaginations to life, forging stunning virtual realms that push the boundaries of what is possible in the Digital Modeling and Visualization Lab.

Room 2261

Electronics, Textiles, and 3D Printing Makerspace

The Electronics, Textiles, and 3D Printing Makerspace offers a variety of equipment, including 3D printers, digital embroidery machines, industrial sewing machines, soldering tools, and laser cutters to help students, faculty, and staff create, fabricate, and prototype.

Room 2222

Explore Scientific Illustration and Visualization

Explore the intersection of Science + Art in the Scientific Illustration and Visualization program! Discover the endless possibilities with this major, see student artwork, and engage in fun activities connecting both science and art!

Room 2106

Spin & Win: Discover Hospitality Management

Spin for Tasty Rewards: Spin our prize wheel to win free drinks, cookies, or meal coupons for Sparks Café (SICTR) or Tearoom (Mackay).

Next to Room 1202

Letterpress Lab Makerspace: Make and Take a Print

Come to the Letterpress Lab Makerspace to make (and take!) an exciting print!

Room 1222 from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM • Dry pre-printed prints will be available between 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Metal and Wood Shop Makerspace

The Boeing Advanced Fabrication and Assembly Metal and Wood Shop offers an array of tools and resources to unleash your creativity and explore the world of fabrication.

Room 1211

Gaffer’s Guild

The Gaffer’s Guild will be in the Glassblowing Studio doing continuous demonstrations of glassblowing and glass forming. Stop in and watch or make a suggestion for a piece for the Guild members to make!

Room 1202

Innovate 1858: Opportunities for Student Learning Experiences and Student Entrepreneurs

Innovate 1858; it’s more than just a store! Come learn how you can gain business and fashion-related experience as part of the Innovate 1858 Team. Student entrepreneurs, we would love to talk with you about selling your original products at Innovate 1858. We are “for Cyclones, by Cyclones”!

Innovate 1858 (First Floor)

Heavy Metals Makerspace

The Heavy Metals Makerspace primarily serves as a central location for student organizations affiliated with the Student Innovation Center.

Room 0235

Digital Media Studio Makerspace

Equipped with a white cyclorama, audio/podcasting suite, one-button recording, and editing stations, the Digital Media Studio has everything you need to produce stunning visuals and sound.

Room 0140

Game Design Showcase

Explore and playtest artful video games, board games, and games created by Iowa State University students and faculty!

Room 0102

Cardinal Space Mining Club Display and Interactive Robot

Get the chance to push rocks with a mini RC robot and learn more about what we do here at Cardinal Space Mining Club.

Basement Atrium

PRISUM Solar Car

PRISUM has a long history of top placements in our races and a strong pool of talented students who learn critical industry skills throughout their time in the club and create some of the most complex and high-level parts anywhere on campus with real-world engineering budgets, timelines, and projects. Our massive team helps to create a network of friends within their time here, as well as helping connect the students with decades of alumni.

Outside Next to the Marston Watertower or Basement Atrium

SAE International Student Chapter

Come learn about the SAE clubs housed in the Student Innovation Center and meet the members of the student organizations including: Aero, Baja, Clean Snowmobile, and Formula IC/EV.

Basement Atrium

Games and Activities

Play the 30 Circles Challenge on Third Floor

Make Your Mark in 2260

Enjoy Italian Ice and Elevate to Innovate in Second Floor Courtyard

Pathway to Prizes on the Stepatorium

VR Games on First Floor Multipurpose Space

Learn Your Creative Type on First Floor

Play Connections on the First Floor

Free Snacks on the First Floor

Play Bag Toss near the Marston Watertower