Fostering Innovation through Physics, 52 Technologies, and Wide Participation

We have created in a single site a workspace called the Innovation Hyperlab. It organizes 52 technologies into 3-technology work bays and houses appropriate supplies, tools, and instrumentation. Key to the operation is a supporting web site (for open release in summer 2015) with modular instruction in individual technologies. The instruction emphasizes underlying physical principles but provides direct engagement with key devices and methods in a given technology. The aim is to support learning on-demand in the midst of design projects as well as formal courses. The physical and virtual sides of the lab are designed to serve a wide range of participants, from high school students to graduate students. Most experience to date has been through using the space to support undergraduate-mentored high school student research and innovation teams pursuing projects as wide ranging as helicopter rescue and neurological rehabilitation.