2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Electrical and computer engineering (ECE) is an inherently hands-on discipline that attracts students who enjoy building, experimenting, and creating. Yet, during the early years of an ECE curriculum, students often find themselves immersed in foundational courses heavy in mathematics and physics, with limited opportunities for hands-on design. To bridge this gap, the ECE Department at XYZ University established the Innovation Lab, a makerspace housed within the department that expands opportunities for experiential learning, inspires creativity, strengthens community, and supports outreach and recruitment.

Developed with the support of alumni and industry partners, the Innovation Lab provides students with opportunities for innovation and collaboration beyond the classroom. The lab is equipped with an instrument bench, soldering equipment, 3D printers, a laser cutter and engraver, wearable electronics setup, audio and video equipment, and various prototyping tools. Overseen by the lab manager and supported by student assistants, it has become the heart of the ECE community where students work on projects, collaborate with peers, and attend workshops throughout the academic year.

Many of the lab’s most visible projects are designed by students, including a series of custom LED circuit boards used for outreach and recruitment. One recent design features a rocket-shaped board with the university logo and inspirational phrases, symbolizing creativity and forward momentum. Participants insert LEDs while student assistants perform the soldering, creating an engaging, hands-on introduction to ECE. The lab team also takes these activities on the road to community colleges, where they have become a popular and memorable recruitment tool.

Beyond outreach, the Innovation Lab fosters community through creative, hands-on events. Popular activities include Halloween T-shirt printing, where students, faculty, and staff design their own ECE-themed shirts, and holiday soldering workshops for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Student clubs, alumni, advisory board members, and other campus groups, including the advancement team, also used the space for team-building activities. Through these gatherings, the Innovation Lab strengthens connections among students, faculty, and the broader university community while showcasing the creativity and collaborative spirit of electrical and computer engineering.

This paper describes the development and impact of the Innovation Lab as a model for how small ECE departments can leverage a makerspace to expand experiential learning, strengthen student engagement, enhance outreach and recruitment, and build community. It will also detail the lab’s soldering projects so that other institutions can replicate these activities in their own settings.