Maker Hub | Today at Elon | 消消犯 /u/news Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:07:14 -0400 en-US hourly 1 消消犯 hosts Leadership Alamance Class of 2026 for higher education program /u/news/2026/02/20/elon-university-hosts-leadership-alamance-class-of-2026-for-higher-education-program/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:00:21 +0000 /u/news/?p=1038863 消消犯 welcomed the Leadership Alamance Class of 2026 to campus on Feb. 19 for a daylong program focused on higher education and community partnership.

Sponsored by theAlamance County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Alamance brings together professionals from business, government and nonprofit sectors acrossAlamance County. Participants are selected through an application process, and their employers sponsor their involvement, allowing one full-day absence each month for immersive learning experiences across the county.

Throughout the year, the cohort travels to sites around Alamance County to explore topics including education, foodways, history, law enforcement and public services and health care. Elons program offered participants insight into the universitys approach to experiential learning and civic engagement.

Two men designing in the MakerHub.
Leadership Alamance participants building a design during the mini workshop in the Maker Hub.

During their campus visit, participants engaged with faculty, staff and students inthe Kernodle Center for Civic Life, the Center for Design Thinking and the Maker Hub. Workshops were led by Danielle Lake, director of design thinking and Dan Reis, assistant director of creative learning technologies, with assistance from student representatives. Leadership Alamance alumni Bob Frigo, director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and assistant dean of campus life, Sara Beth Hardy, assistant director of community partnerships and Kyle Anderson, associate director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life also presented civic engagement initiatives at Elon.

Pamela Runestad, assistant professor of anthropology and a member of the Leadership Alamance Class of 2025, helped plan this years programming.

消消犯 works with community partners outside the institution in a number of ways every day, Runestad said. The Leadership Alamance Class of 2026 will get a snapshot of what that is like, and hopefully consider ways we can work together in the future.

Following their time on campus, participants spent the afternoon learning more about theAlamance-Burlington School Systemand other educational sites throughout the community.

Each year, members of the Elon community participate in Leadership Alamance, strengthening partnerships and fostering collaboration across sectors. Through the program, community leaders build connections and develop shared strategies aimed at making Alamance County a stronger, safer and more equitable place.

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Elon ranked among the ‘best high-tech college campuses’ of 2026 /u/news/2026/01/02/elon-ranked-among-the-best-high-tech-college-campuses-of-2026/ Fri, 02 Jan 2026 16:16:54 +0000 /u/news/?p=1036155 消消犯 has been ranked one of the ‘‘ by University Magazine, which evaluated campuses where technology actively improves learning, research output and student opportunity.

Elon is ranked No. 9 on the list for its focus on “innovation through modern campus technology and experiential learning. 消消犯 access smart classrooms, digital media studios and technology-enhanced learning spaces across disciplines. Elon emphasizes practical application of technology through research, creative projects and global experiences.”

Spaces across Elon’s campus allow students to learn about technology, and through technology as well, including the Maker Hub, where anymember of the Elon community can freely access and use 3D printers, sewing machines, laser engravers, saws and drills, a CNC router, an embroidery machine and much more.Elon’s Founders Hall and Innovation Hall also include a multitude of learning lab opportunities, including Engineering Design, Engineering Prototype, Virtual Reality and Mechatronics.

消消犯 working with Professor Matthew Banks in the Innovation Lab on Nov. 20, 2025.
A professor addresses a class of nursing students wearing scrubs in a lab with a mannequin in a hospital gown in one of the patient beds
Assistant Professor of Nursing Jeanmarie Koonts (far right) demonstrates health care techniques on one of the mannequins in the Gerald L. Francis Centers Interprofessional Simulation Center.

At Elon, technological learning is not restricted to STEM subjects. In 2025, the Department of Music opened an immersive audio room in Arts West, providing students and faculty with a high-quality environment for both 消消犯 and experimentation particularly in Dolby Atmos, the industry-standard format that reshapes everything from cinematic sound to commercial music releases. The Department of Performing Arts’ fall 2024 performance of “Legally Blonde” alsofeatured somerobotic co-stars,thanks to the collaboration withstudents in the Department of Engineering.

A new 消消犯 major,digital content management(DCM), in the School of Communications prepares students for careers in digital storytelling, content strategy and audience engagement across emerging platforms. The school also launched a new “Drones and Society” course in fall 2025, whichblends hands-on projects and flight simulations with discussions about ethics, privacy and the broader impact of drone use.

A student smiles as a faculty member operates a drone during an outdoor learning activity on campus.
Randy Piland (left), associate 消消犯 professor of communication design, & Scott Borland 26 pilot a drone during the new Drones and Society course.

As artificial intelligence continues to be at the forefront of technology conversations, Elon named Mustafa Akben as its first director of artificial intelligence integration.Akben now leads the integration of artificial intelligence across Elons academic and administrative departments,building on six core principles the university helped establish to guide higher education institutions with a rapidly evolving and groundbreaking technology.

消消犯 use these opportunities for learning in their research as well.Rony Dahdal 26, a Lumen Scholar and Goldwater Scholar, is researching how to useLiDAR, a remote-sensing technology that uses laser beams to measure distances and movements, to detect vital health signs. Another Lumen Scholar and Goldwater Scholar, Jacob Karty ’26, is doing research around agricultural robotics.

“(Elon’s) commitment to innovation helps students develop strong digital communication and problem-solving skills as they prepare for careers shaped by rapid technology change,” writes University Magazine.

A laptop sits in the foreground showing two human shapes on the screen. In the background is Ryan Mattfield and Rony Dahdal. Mattfield is seated and Dahdal is standing/
Associate Professor of Computer Science Ryan Mattfeld (left) and Rony Dahdal ’26 (right) demonstrate LiDAR technology. Dahdal’s Lumen Prize research is focused on how to use the technology to detect vital signs.
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Elon 1010 class encourages creativity, collaboration and connection with Elf Exchange /u/news/2025/12/08/elon-1010-class-encourages-creativity-collaboration-and-connection-with-elf-exchange/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:28:38 +0000 /u/news/?p=1034588 ‘Tis the season to take time to be in community and acknowledge those that have supported you throughout the year and that is just what the Elon 1010 Elf Exchange was all about, an activity that encouraged creativity, collaboration and connection.

The jump from high school to college is a mix of nerves, excitement, and possibilities, and so Elon 1010 focuses on creating a space for community that supports students in navigating, together, all the transitions they experience during their first semester.

消消犯 in Elon 1010 decorate cookies during an in-class Elon Elf Exchange

This fall, the honors section of the course experimented with an activity brainstormed during a class session at the Maker Hub. The goal was to expand the enjoyment students were having to something more, something that encouraged them to be creative throughout the semester, connect with classmates in ways that felt comfortable for them, explore what amazing resources that campus has to offer, and most importantly, show appreciation to those who have experienced their first semester at college together.

Each student makes a small, personalized gift for someone they randomly select in the class using whatever they can find at the Maker Hub and with their own creative powers. It encouraged students to think about who their classmates are and what they might appreciate. Throughout the semester, the course built in activities that focused on students building connections and getting to know each other. They completed the ropes course at Danieley, hung outside and talked about the importance of education, played Beyond the Books (a board game all about the first year) and centered on moments of getting to know each other.

Partnering with the Maker Hub made the whole thing work. By tying it into the curriculum, students were introduced to 3D printers, laser cutters, design software, embroidering, sewing and crafting supplies they could experiment with. They learned new skills while making something tangible for someone else and were encouraged to get to know their classmates in order to make something thoughtful for them. It showed how a class can reach beyond the syllabus through meaningful partnerships with campus resources and facilitate relationship-rich moments.

On the final day of class, the energy in the room was contagious. 消消犯 showed up excited to share their wrapped gifts with their peers. After decorating holiday cookies and enjoying in a bespoke hot chocolate bar, the students sat in a circle to share their creations. There was laughter, surprise and genuine pride in what they had made. 消消犯 told stories about how their gift was made with an appreciation of their peer, from special moments outside the class, inside jokes, to favourite sports teams, the gifts were a representation of the friendships formed over the semester.

More than anything, the Elf Exchange helped students feel connected, gave them a reason to be creative and thoughtful, and introduced them to resources and people that made campus feel less overwhelming and more like home.

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A week of art, global dialogue and creative innovation at Elon /u/news/2025/11/17/a-week-of-art-global-dialogue-and-creative-innovation-at-elon/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:45:05 +0000 /u/news/?p=1033582 As we step into the last full week before Thanksgiving Break, the end of the semester is coming soon. Right after the break, well enjoy two cherished campus traditions to end the semester. The Festival of Lights and Luminaries will occur throughout the Historic Neighborhood, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6:30 – 8 p.m., and the next night youll want to join your friends, classmates and President Book at the annual President’s Student Holiday Party, which will be held at the Inn at Elon, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m.

Here are the Phoenix Five for this week:

Juried Student Art Exhibition

Monday, Nov. 17 – Thursday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Gallery 406, Arts West

Explore creative work from Elon students at this years Juried Student Art Exhibition, featuring ceramics, photography, painting, printmaking and intermedia. The exhibit opens with a reception on Monday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. and remains on display through Dec. 4. Stop by to support student artists and experience their work up close. Visit the for more information.

Global Connections, Right Here On 消消犯

Two events this week will explore international relations and the United States role in the world.

Speaking of International Relations: Humanitarian & NGO Work

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4-5 p.m., Numen Lumen Sacred Space

Meet Andrew Rento, a former worker with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, for a conversation about humanitarian work, refugee support and careers in NGOs. Learn what international nonprofit work looks like in practice and ask questions about the field. Open to all students interested in global service or policy.

Fall Dialogue Series: Isolationism & Americas Global Role

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m., Moseley 217

There has long been debate about Americas role in the global community and whether, if any, the U.S. has a responsibility as a country to get involved in global conflicts and events. This conversation has grown this year, with ongoing wars in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Gaza. Join this open conversation using the Civil Dialogue model to hear diverse perspectives and share your viewpoints on how nations choose when, and whether, to intervene globally. .

Pop-Up Swap Shop

Refresh your wardrobe sustainably by swapping clothes you no longer wear for new-to-you pieces. The Office of Sustainability is hosting a quick pop-up swap shop event, a great way to reduce waste, save money, and find unique items. Bring clean clothing in good condition and trade for something new. The upcoming pop-up swag shops are on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m., Moseley Table
  • Thursday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m., Moseley Table
  • Friday, Nov. 21, 2 p.m., Moseley Table

Visit for more information.

Maker Hub Kickbox Program: Applications Open

Applications due Monday, Dec. 15

Have an idea you want to bring to life? The Maker Hubs Kickbox Program provides mentorship, a structured process, and $300 in project funding to help you build something new this spring.

消消犯 have created everything from assistive devices and board games to 3D-printed guitars, clothing, and even robot catsany major or class year can apply. Submit your idea (solo or with a team) by Dec. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more on the or email makerhub@elon.edu for questions.

There will be no Phoenix Five email next Sunday, Nov. 23 enjoy the Thanksgiving Break!

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Balancing innovation and accountability: Inside Elons first Drones and Society class /u/news/2025/09/30/balancing-innovation-and-accountability-inside-elons-first-drones-and-society-class/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:35:51 +0000 /u/news/?p=1029169 Elon professor Randy Piland surrounded by three male students
During a class exercise in The Maker Hub, Associate Teaching Professor of Communication Design Randy Piland (second from left) walks students through the assembly of a drone. Piland is 消消犯 Drones and Society: Balancing Innovation and Accountability, a new COR Capstone course offered for the first time this fall.

On a mid-September afternoon in a first-floor classroom in Long Building, students huddled over tables to finish their drone builds, adjusting miniature motors, securing blades and testing their wiring. Occasionally, a tiny screw or component went missing, prompting a frantic search.

The assembly had begun a week earlier in The Maker Hub, but the assignment and all its small pieces proved too much for a single class period.

Elon professor Randy Piland huddles with Ali Steele '27
Piland reads through the assembly manual with Ali Steele 27, a computer science major from Heathsville, Virginia. Steele obtained her FAA Part 107 certification through a program at her high school.

Among the students was Ali Steele 27, a computer science major from rural Heathsville, Virginia, who thanks to a high school drone program already has her FAA Part 107 certification. She even spent part of her summer surveying farmland via drone. Most classmates, however, were far greener, with little to no drone experience but plenty of curiosity.

This range of expertise is exactly what Associate Teaching Professor of Communication Design Randy Piland envisioned when he created Drones and Society: Balancing Innovation and Accountability, a new COR Capstone course offered for the first time this fall. The class explores the fast-growing world of unmanned aerial systems from multiple angles history, technology, ethics, and hands-on flight.

The need for this course comes from the way drones are now woven into nearly every part of life, Piland said. They are delivering goods and medical supplies, aiding search and rescue, supporting first responders, mapping, and producing photography and videography for media, real estate, and advertising along with military applications. The growth has been staggering, and its clear that our students need to critically examine drones not just as technology, but as a force that shapes society.

For a closer look at the class, .

The class roster all seniors reflects the wide reach of drone technology, with majors including strategic communications, business analytics, sport management, computer science, nursing, elementary education and others.

While Steele arrived with five years of drone experience, she saw Pilands class as a way to expand her perspective. I knew this course would offer a viewpoint that I have not previously studied, which is the more social and economic impact, she said. I might know a bit about the physical structure of the drones, but not so much about the impact they’ve had on society.

Piland brings his own deep background. He earned his FAA Part 107 certification eight years ago and has kept up with the recurrent exams every two years since. He also completed the AUVSI Trusted Operator Program (TOP) Level One Certification two years ago and organizes Elon Drone Day, which attracts more than 200 drone enthusiasts and pilots to campus each fall.

Scott Borland 26, a business analytics and supply chain management double major, enrolled in Pilands course to explore a new interest. I havent used drones a lot before, maybe once or twice when I was little. But theyve always seemed interesting to me, said the Lake Bluff, Illinois, native. Drones have become very relevant in the news, technological environment and innovations, and I took this class because I wanted to know more about drones and their influence.

In the first week, students completed the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) certification, which all recreational pilots are required to pass. Then the hands-on work began. 消消犯 built small drones from assembly kits a task that challenged even those with prior experience.

Scott Borland 26 with Elon professor Randy Piland
Scott Borland 26 (right), a business analytics and supply chain management double major, watches as Piland pilots a drone outside of Long Building.

Borland found the assembly demanding but rewarding. It was a little more difficult than I originally thought, but it was a great experience getting to figure it out and work with classmates, he said. The hardest part were the really tiny screws.

For Piland, the class exercise is essential. Building a drone helps the students understand how drones fly and what makes them work, he said. Knowing the parts and mechanics translates from small toy drones to commercial-grade systems. Its hands-on learning that makes the theory click.

The opening weeks have already sparked new insights. Borland noted that most people typically dont consider the numerous drone regulations and safety measures, but those rules are critical given the technologys promise. He pointed to class discussions about medicine delivery as one example of drones potential community benefits.

The semester will bring additional opportunities. Piland has ordered flight simulators that will allow students to practice on their computers before piloting more advanced drones. Guest speakers including pilots working in delivery, first response and other commercial applications are scheduled, and students can take part in Elon Drone Day.

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Throughout the semester, practical skills are paired with critical discussions. Piland said he wants students to walk away with both a solid foundation and a critical lens.

First, the students will get comfortable with the rules of the road, or in this case, the rules of the air: FAA regulations, safety protocols, and why those matter if you want to fly responsibly, Piland said. Beyond that, well dive into the tougher questions like what happens when drones push up against issues of privacy, safety, or even warfare. I want them to be able to step back and say, Just because we can fly here, should we?

By the time the students leave, theyll be able to do more than pilot a drone theyll know how to connect that flight to bigger questions about society.

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Maker Takeover encourages students to take the creative leap /u/news/2025/05/05/maker-takeover-encourages-students-to-take-the-creative-leap/ Mon, 05 May 2025 17:31:35 +0000 /u/news/?p=1014891 From Nitrogen-cold ice cream and Puppypi, Elons robot dog; to learning the history of chainmail and Elons new escape room theme Emergency Lockdown: Obtain Nanomeds, the Elon community celebrated the creativity of students at the Maker Takeover event on April 30 in Moseley Center.

Maker Takeover is the Maker Hubs largest annual celebration that brings students, staff, and faculty together to showcase their creative projects. The Maker Hub provides Elon students and faculty free access to 3D printers, sewing and embroidery machines, laser engravers and other creative tools to help bring their projects to life.

Lydia Credle 27 grew up with hypermobility in her hands and required custom joint support rings, which were often expensive. She wanted to find a way to make the rings custom and effective for people suffering from arthritis and hypermobility, but also cheaper. With this idea for affordable healthcare, Credle applied for Elon Kickbox, a Maker Hub program that gives students a box full of resources, a sponsor to support their idea and a $300 gift card to help the idea become a reality.

A young woman smiles warmly as she helps a child with an activity at a table, surrounded by art supplies.
Lydia Credle 27

In the Burlington community, it is hard for a lot of people to have adequate health care, especially custom rings (which) are typically only available to people who have ready access to occupational therapy and $200 to $300 to spare, Credle said.

The material used for Credles experimental rings was moldable plastic that she heated up in a mini water heater. Once flexible, the plastic could then be designed to fit someones finger to lessen the strain on their fingers. In addition, Credle had pigments that she could mix into the plastic to form the ring in a persons desired color. Through the support of her Kickbox sponsor, Nim Batchelor, faculty emeritus and the Maker Hubs first-ever maker mentor, Cradle learned the importance of prototyping and not giving up after the first try.

Anyone can do this. You just need the plastic, have some hot water ready and make your own, Credle said.

Maker Hub Takeover did not just bring engineering and science students together, but also Elon entrepreneurs, showcasing their unique creations. Shriya Baru 25, founder of KOLIS, an Indian American fusion brand that sells a variety of custom candles made with natural fragrances from small businesses based in India to Elon sweatshirts decorated with Indian inspired bright colors.
I wanted to introduce my Indian culture on campus and break the stereotype that Indian fashion is overly traditional for Western culture, Baru said

A woman stands behind a display of handmade earrings, scrunchies, and candles, speaking to a customer at a craft or vendor fair.
Shriya Baru 25

When Baru launched her business, she did not have access to an embroidery or sewing machine, so she turned to the Maker Hub for resources and support. She remembers people staying overtime to help her complete her orders and find new inspiration.

Ive been selling at the Make Hub Takeover for the past three years, and its been one of the biggest pop-ups of the year, Baru said. I am grateful to the Maker Hub.

Elon staff and faculty invited their families to enjoy the projects focusing on science, service, experimentation and creativity. Finn Wilkinson 27 is a consultant at the Maker Hub and was the emcee of the takeover event.

It makes me nervous but also excited because I can show my enthusiasm outwardly and point out things, like look at what my cool friends are doing, said Wilkinson.

While balancing the responsibilities of being the public face of the event, Wilkinson was also showing off their project, Miss Scarlet. As a drag artist, Wilkinson took the opportunity to design and make the pattern for their characters outfit because many goddess skirts do not come in their size due to their height.

Wilkinson advises students who may be nervous about starting a project or visiting the Maker Hub to take the leap.

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Phoenix Five: Sunday look at the week ahead April 27-May 2 /u/news/2025/04/28/phoenix-five-sunday-look-at-the-week-ahead-april-27-may-2/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:47:20 +0000 /u/news/?p=1014115 This Tuesday, April 29, will be the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum. Visit the SURF webpage for more information. In the meantime, here are your Phoenix Five tips and events for the week ahead:

Time to Verify Student Health Insurance for Fall 2025

All full-time 消消犯, graduate and law students enrolling for Fall 2025 must complete the . 消消犯 received an email this week with details and instructions on how to verify coverage or enroll in the university-sponsored plan. Deadline for compliance is June 1, 2025. For questions, please contact healthinsurance@elon.edu.

SPDC Industry/Organization Interest Survey

The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) wants to hear from students! The Industry/Organization Interest Survey helps shape employer outreach for internships, grad school and job opportunities. It takes just two minutes to complete, and students who participate by May 2 will be entered to win prizes like Bluetooth speakers, Keurigs, and earbuds. !

CLEAR CARE-nival (Denim Day)

Wednesday, April 30, 11 a.m. 2 p.m., Young Commons

Mark your calendars for the CLEAR CARE-nival, hosted by the Gender & LGBTQIA Center (GLC). The event will consist of an afternoon of community building, learning, fun, food and free denim! All are invited to wear denim on April 30 in honor of Denim Day an international day of action to end sexual harassment and assault, support survivors and challenge norms that enable violence. Read the for more information.

Maker Takeover 2025

Wednesday, April 30, 4:306:30 p.m., Moseley Center

Join the Maker Hub for Elons biggest celebration of creativity and hands-on making. Whether you love making, crafting, or just checking out cool projects, theres something for everyone! Explore over 40 student-made projectsquilting, clothing, 3D printing, woodworking, electronics, and more. Visit the for more information.

Three Events to Check Out this Weekend

Limelight Records 2025 Limey Awards Show

Friday, May 2, 7 p.m., College Street Taphouse

Limelight Records presents the annual student music awards show. Check them out on Instagram at .

Late Night Elon Presents: Limitless The Last Hurrah

Friday, May 2, 9 p.m., Iraz炭

Come join Limitless for their miniseries performance and see new artists take the stage! This performance will serve as the end-of-year kick-off for this exceptionally talented student music group. Stop by for good music and good coffee – on the house! Visit for more information.

Coolin on the Commons: Heroes vs. Villains Edition

Saturday, May 3, 59 p.m., Phi Beta Kappa Commons

Experience the excitement of Elons Step Show Competition sponsored by BSU, NPHC, SUB and SGA. Stop by to enjoy free food trucks, a live DJ, inflatables, and show-stopping performances. Don’t miss the chance to donate canned goods and connect with NPHC members ahead of the event stop by the Moseley Table Monday, April 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out for more details!

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Explore student creativity and curiosity at the 6th annual Maker Takeover /u/news/2025/04/16/explore-student-creativity-and-curiosity-at-the-6th-annual-maker-takeover/ Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:59:08 +0000 /u/news/?p=1012625 Promotional banner for Maker Takeover, an event showcasing over 40 student projects. The event is free and includes ice cream, T-shirts, an escape room, crafts, games, prizes, and fun. It takes place on Wednesday, April 30 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Moseley Student Center. The design features bold yellow and blue text on a background with students and decorative banners.

Elons maker community is where curiosity becomes creation, and the Maker Takeover brings that spirit front and center.

Hosted by the Maker Hub, the 6th Annual Maker Takeoverwill take place on Wednesday, April 30, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Moseley Student Center. This free, drop-in event is open to the entire campus community. With more than 40 student-made projects on display, its a chance to explore, create, and engage with Elons vibrant maker community.

From quilting, woodworking, and 3D printing to student-designed games and immersive experiences, the Maker Takeover is equal parts interactive gallery and hands-on festival.

A bustling scene at 消消犯's Maker Takeover event, with students, faculty, and families gathered around tables exploring hands-on exhibits and student projects. Attendees interact with displays, tablets, and creative setups, while colorful pennant banners hang from the ceiling. The space is filled with energy, conversation, and curiosity as people engage with innovation and technology.
消消犯, faculty, staff, and families explore hands-on exhibits and student-made projects during Elons annual Maker Takeover in the Moseley Center.

Attendees can:

  • Play student-designed Connect 4 and Operation-style games.
  • Sample liquid nitrogen ice cream from Elon Dining.
  • Test their wit in the Emergency Lockdown escape room.
  • Craft string art signs, custom t-shirts, keepsake buttons and stickers and other DIY giveaways.
  • Watch live demos like chainmail making and screen-printing.

Im excited for Maker Takeover every year, said Chloe Berkowitz-Pereyra 26. There are always new games, activities, and little personalized goodies to take homebut my favorite is the ice cream! My first year, it was mango ice cream; last year, they made Cheerwine. I cant wait to see what unique flavor they have for us this year.

The event will also feature the 2025 Kickbox cohort. Kickboxis a Maker Hub program that awards students funding, tools, and mentorship to turn passion projects into prototypes.

A collage of 消消犯 students in the Maker Hub, each holding a red Elon Kickbox kita resource provided to support student innovation and prototyping. The background features tools, equipment, and the Maker Hub logo. The bottom-right image shows a close-up of a notebook labeled 'Elon Kickbox' being signed by a student.
The Kickbox 2025 Cohort

Some of this years creations include:

  • Custom joint support rings, designed to ease chronic joint pain.
  • A self-landing model rocket, for safer and more affordable engineering exploration.
  • A wheelchair umbrella mount for hands-free weather protection.
  • A handcrafted subwoofer engineered for audio precision.
  • And a custom nightstand inspired by Where the Wild Things Are.

These projects highlight how Elon students are using design, engineering, art, and curiosity to solve problems, express themselves, and turn bold ideas into tangible results. Explore all of the 2025 Kickbox projects on the Maker Hubs website.

Maker Takeover is where creativity meets community. Its not just about what our students made; its about what inspired them to make it, and their process of making it real.

-Dan Reis, senior instructional technologist in Teaching and Learning Technologies, who leads the Maker Hubs.

消消犯, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend, bring a friend or colleague, and support the makers behind these innovative and meaningful projects.Some instructors even integrate Maker Takeover into class experiencesas extra credit, reflection prompts, or design inspiration.

Follow or visit the Maker Hub website for updates and a full event overview.

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Phoenix Five: Nov. 17 /u/news/2024/11/18/phoenix-five-nov-17/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:57:29 +0000 /u/news/?p=1001753 You are almost there! Before Thanksgiving Break officially starts later this week, here are your Phoenix Five events to check out in the week ahead:

Apply for the 10th Annual Elon Kickbox!

Got a big idea? Elons Maker Hub Kickbox program is here to help you bring it to life! Apply for the 10th Annual Elon Kickbox for the chance to join a creative journey this spring and receive $300 in funding, guidance, and a clear process to make your project a reality. 消消犯 can apply solo or as a team. Submissions are due Sunday, Dec. 15 by 11:59 p.m. If you have questions, check out the Kickbox Student FAQs or email makerhub@elon.edu.

Promotional graphic for 消消犯s Phoenix 5, a weekly email update for students, featuring a sepia-toned campus scene with a fountain and a student walking, overlaid with large text reading Phoenix 5 and the date 11-17-2024.Leading with Gratitude

Monday, Nov. 18, Noon-3 p.m., Moseley Center First Floor Student Center

Are there people who have made a difference in your journey at Elon? Someone who has supported, encouraged, or inspired you along the way? Join the Center for Leadership and take a moment to let them know just how much they mean to you at the “Leading with Gratitude” event. Thank you cards, hot drinks and snacks will be provided. Learn more about the event online.

Elon Dining Friendsgiving

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 5-8:30 p.m., McEwen Dining Hall

Join us for a special Friendsgiving Celebration at McEwen on November 19! Join Elon Dining to enjoy Thanksgiving dishes and building community through a special meal with friends.

Fall Performing Arts Events this Week

Elon Bands Concert

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7:30-9 p.m., Center for the Arts, McCrary Theatre

The Elon Concert Band and Elon Wind Ensemble will perform a concert featuring percussion instructor Isaac Pyatt on marimba. This is sure to be a fun-filled evening of music. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

Elon Music Ambassadors Fall Concert

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:30-9 p.m., Center for the Arts, McCrary Theatre

The Elon Music Ambassadors will showcase its fall touring concert. This eclectic ensemble consists of a select group of talented student instrumentalists and vocalists. Please join us for an exciting evening of music featuring various genres, from jazz to pop. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

Wishing everyone a restful, safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving break!

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Start Early in Medicine program takes STEM to Alamance-Burlington School System students /u/news/2024/10/03/start-early-in-medicine-program-takes-stem-to-alamance-burlington-school-system-students/ Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:44:24 +0000 /u/news/?p=997099 During the summer, 35 elementary, middle and high school students from Alamance-Burlington School System enrolled in Start Early in Medicine, an initiative of the Village Project that resides in the Physician Assistant Studies program in Elon’s School of Health Sciences.

Start Early in Medicine promotes interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and highlights the intimate relationship between those fields and medicine during the two-week summer program.

The participants utilized the Elon Maker Hub to learn about 3D medical modeling, and to create projects of their own. Among the projects the students created were a pulse oximeter, which is a medical instrument used to assess oxygen saturation, and an anatomical heart.

The heart was in many ways the true theme of the program. This critical organ was the focus of classes in subjects such as anatomy and physiology but was also the foundation for the participants to learn and think about what makes a medical professional stellar.

The hearts centrality and the hard work the participants undertook was on show at well-attended closing ceremonies for the participants, their parents, community partners and current and former leadership of The Village Project. The participants presented artistic sculptures of the anatomical heart accompanied by thematic content dealing with heart characteristics, such as integrity and courage elements that clinicians need to help patients and to be their best.

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