InnovationSpace

design + engineering + business + sustainability

Real-world experience that prepares you for life.

Are you an ambitious, creative thinker with a desire to start something that makes a difference in the world?

Learn more about MS Innovation and Venture Development.

InnovationSpace is a transformative experience, where students build the skills of the future and develop their capacity for collaboration and innovation as they produce extraordinary projects. Sign up for one of the diverse projects and work with clients, sponsors and team members from other schools in a brand new space at the Novus Innovation Center.

Apply to InnovationSpace

purpose + experience + excitement + growth

Join Our Mailing List

We’re looking for passionate, motivated students in all majors who want to do work that matters. Explore the 2021/22 projects below.

Putting Data and Technology to Use for Community Health.

Monday 12:15 pm- 3:15 pm

Poor air quality is a major health issue in vulnerable communities. In this course, students will have the opportunity to investigate how we can use raw air quality data currently being collected in South Phoenix, and turn that into information, tools, products and policy that will protect residents' health. Student ideas might include wearables, interactive maps or dashboards, data visualizations, apps or other tools, and business models that can support them, to support community health in South Phoenix.

Bringing a New Technology to Life, and to Market.

Monday 12:15 pm- 3:15 pm

In this course, students will research and develop applications, tools and business models for a brand-new technology from one of the leading scientists at the Fulton Schools of Engineering. Dendrites are unique identifiers with the potential to transform industries and authenticate provenance and purity of products in food and agriculture, fashion and fabrics, among others. If you are interested in business, technology or design, this is an opportunity to investigate potential markets, supply chains, tools and devices and the human systems that affect our global systems.

Re-imagining Entrepreneurship Post-covid.

Thursday 9:30am-12:00pm

Entrepreneurship is more than a "nice to have," it's a necessity for the many underestimated communities that have suffered from the economic fallout of COVID. Working in transdisciplinary teams, students will tackle the challenge of redefining entrepreneurship to be relevant to these communities, and finding answers for how to increase access to mastery of entrepreneurial skills and tools.

Create an exhibit for the SteamTank Science Museum for Children.

Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Start from scratch to design and create an exhibit for the STEAMtank musuem. Students will imagine, research, brand, market, design and create an exhibit that teaches children about STEAM. For this exciting project, engineers, product designers, museum designers, education designers and marketing specialists will work together to create a science exhibit in the STEAMtank in a dedicated exhibit space in the new Novus building.

Hacking 4 Defense (H4D)

Tuesday 1:00 pm- 3:30 pm

Sponsored by the Department of Defense and Intelligence Communities, this course is an opportunity to rapidly address the nation’s emerging threats and security challenges. Student opportunities include developing solutions with the potential to create real-world impact and experiencing the Lean Startup Method in preparation for future entrepreneurial or startup initiatives. Find out more information here. This project does not require an application so you can register for the course here.

Questions please contact Samantha Hiller.

In partnership with:

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
School for the Future of Innovation in Society
W. P. Carey School of Business
and J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute

InnovationSpace Faculty and Staff

Cheryl Heller, Program Director
Nyasha Stone Sheppard, Program Manager
Anthony Kuhn
Michelle Fehler
Rhett Trujillo
Scott Reeves

top-left

Course description

The InnovationSpace program provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a real-world product-development project. Using the Integrated Innovation model, teams of students from all majors spend one to two semesters researching, developing and refining concepts. Throughout the yearlong program student work includes:

exploring user, societal and environmental needs;
analyzing market trends and consumer demand; and,
investigating new technologies.

All final deliverables are accompanied by proof-of-concept and appearance models as well as detailed Innovation Proposals. These proposals summarize user research; present a product concept; provide engineering specifications; outline a product-communication strategy; chart a comprehensive business plan; and detail a comprehensive roadmap for sustainability.

InnovationSpace is for you if you want to: