Welcome back to campus and happy 2017! As we kick off the new year, there is already a tremendous number of exciting things happening at the Wond’ry. From Video Game Hackathons and Mapping Science Art Exhibits to 3D printing and sewing MakerSpace workshops, January is poised to be our best month yet in terms of new and innovative programs.
Moreover, we are also excited to announce the return of our PreFlight program (application link below) and the launch of a new PostFlight program, that focuses on teaching you all of the key aspects needed to successfully launch a new social venture or startup.

Want to get involved or learn more? We urge you to come visit the Wond’ry, check our website daily, and follow us on social media!  Happy 2017 and Innovate Onward!

-Robert Grajewski
Evans Family Executive Director of the Wond’ry

Makerspaces Now Open

We are excited to announce that the Wond’ry Makerspaces are officially open!

For the uninitiated, a makerspace is a community space that emphasizes learning-thru-doing. A first of its kind at Vanderbilt, the Wond’ry Makerspace is open to the entire Vanderbilt community (students, staff, and faculty), and is outfitted with state-of-the-art digital fabrication equipment (as well as traditional tools) that enables anyone to take their idea from concept to prototype. Beginning in February, we will be offering a host of unique weekly workshops on a range of topics including digital design for 3D printing, molding and casting, sewing, microcontrollers, vacuum forming, design drawing, and many others.

Safety Seminars (intro course to gain access to the Makerspace resources and tools) will be held on Mondays from 4-5:30 in room 302 and on Wednesdays from 11:30-1 in room 202.

the Wond’ry Spotlight:

Meet Kevin Galloway, Director of Making

I have been wielding a hammer since I was 18 months old (yes a real hammer) and have been hooked on ‘making’ since. I studied mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and prior to joining Vanderbilt, was with the Wyss Institute at Harvard University with their Advanced Technology Team. In this role, I worked with all levels of academia and industry to bring promising research from the bench to the market (designing, building, and testing new technologies and applications, engaging with potential end users, expanding IP portfolios, evaluating market landscapes and licensing technology). Through these experiences I have built a repertoire of rapid prototyping and problem-solving strategies (and a wild imagination) that I look forward to sharing with the VU community. I look forward to doing what I can at the Wond’ry to help grow your ideas.

Come by and meet me, as well as visit the Wond’ry Makerspace webpage for updates and to RSVP for workshops.

PreFlight Accepting Applications:

Ever thought entrepreneurship will play a role in your life? Have an idea for a new product, technology, or new way of doing something? The Wond’ry in partnership with Vanderbilt’s CTTC and the Nashville Entrepreneur Center will offer a new session of PreFlight sponsored by Waller Lansden Dortch, & Davis, LLP beginning on February 1st. This 11 week program provides the foundational knowledge to successfully identify, assess, and ultimately launch a quality for profit or nonprofit venture. Visit the Wond’ry’s website to learn more or click here to apply online (applications due by January 30th and those accepted will be notified on January 31st).

The course will take place at the Wond’ry every Wednesday from 5 to 6:15 pm between February 1st and April 19th (no class during the week of Spring Break). Participants must be available to attend every class or have someone working with them on their idea that can attend in their place if they have to miss a session.

PostFlight Program:

For those with market-ready validated products or technologies and/or those that have already participated in PreFlight, the Wond’ry is planning to offer a PostFlight Program this semester. More details for this new program coming soon. Visit our website and follow us on social media (@theWondry) to be the first to get the details.

Global Game Jam: Hackathon for Gamers

The Global Game Jam is the world’s largest game jam event that takes place in over 90+ countries. This hackathon for game developers begins with a kickoff presentation with a keynote speech and the unveiling of the secret theme for all 500+ worldwide sites. In today’s heavily connected world, this event provides a chance for people to come together, be creative, share experiences, and express themselves using video games. In 2016, over 6800 games were created during the weekend event. Click here to see some examples from last year’s event.

During the event, people can find a team, or if they have an idea, they can put together a team. No experience is necessary to participate and this  public event is open to anyone 18 and up. It will be hosted on the 3rd floor of the Wond’ry from January 20th to the 22nd with the Opening Kickoff taking place at 6 pm in ESB rm 044/048 (downstairs from the Wond’ry).

Register now to be a part of this exciting experience!

Places and Spaces: Mapping Science Exhibit:

The exhibition, on display at Vanderbilt January 23rd to April 23rd, contains 100 maps/visualizations of data (to be housed at Sarratt), an Illuminated Diagram (housed at the Wond’ry) and a Macroscope and WorldProcessor Globes (housed at Central Library’s Lobby). A number of programs will complement the exhibition, including a lecture by Dr. Börner, a student competition, panel discussion, and data visualization workshops. The exhibition and programs are funded by the Wild Bunch Lecture Fund. Visit the exhibition website for more information.

In the News:

-Listen to Robert Grajewski discuss his background, the role of the Wond’ry and the broader innovation landscape during an interview with Ideashares radio. 

-The Wond’ry was featured in the Prologue of the Fall 2016 edition of the Vanderbilt Magazine. Click here to view the article.

-“Nashville Entrepreneur Center reclaims ‘front door’ role“, the Wond’ry was mentioned in this article about the new CEO of the Nashville EC and their focus on providing resources in the health and music sectors.

Our Pillar Programs:

Innovation Garage

In the Innovation Garage, an array of corporate and non-profit sponsors partner with Vanderbilt student and faculty teams on cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary projects. The goal of this program is to identify disruptive and innovative solutions that improve industry all while providing unique opportunities for students to build their skills via real-world problem solving.

Entrepreneur Pre-Flight

For aspiring Vanderbilt entrepreneurs, the Wond’ry offers an 11 week Pre-Flight program that provides the foundational knowledge needed to successfully identify, assess, and ultimately launch a quality for profit or non-profit venture.

Social Entrepreneurship & Ventures

The Social Entrepreneurship Program is an important platform for students to work together to tackle important societal problems like affordable housing, transportation and health, which if successful can be adopted into full scale programs and potential partnerships with non-profit and government organizations.

Fostering an Innovation Culture

From artist/music exhibits and speaker series to hackathons and business plan competitions, the Wond’ry hosts workshops, speakers and events that cater to an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Past Versions of News from the Wond’ry:

November 2016

December 201