Priorities:Kettering University Student Priorities
Contents
Kettering Entrepreneur Society & T-Space Community Engagement and Impact
Background
Kettering Entrepreneur Society, or KES as we like to call it, is essentially an incubator space where students, faculty, and even anyone outside the University can come and develop their ideas, host brainstorm sessions, work together, and improve I&E mindsets. It's purpose is "To promote an entrepreneurial culture at Kettering University based on innovation and social values." KES is a great place for: Mentoring. Networking. Funding Opportunities. If a member so chooses, he may present proposals for further research or advertisement/marketing of his idea. If the Society accepts the proposals, the member will receive funding to pursue his project further.
The Tinkering Space or "T-Space" as we like to call it, was created within the last year with the purpose of providing students on campus an area where they may be free to make their project ideas come to life.
Our Priority
We would like to pursue expanding KES' and T-Space's engagement from mostly Kettering Students to more of the community. We are located in Flint, Michigan, and only a few miles away are two other college campuses. We are interested in trying to engage these campuses and involve them in any way whatsoever. Additionally, we are interested in expanding involvement to others in the community. We have found that there are many entrepreneurial minded people in Flint's community, and combining this with some I&E minded students at the other campuses, we could tap into an incredible resource and all collaborate together.
Tedx Event
Background
Kettering University has organized two TEDx Flint events in 2010 and 2011. Both events were attended by several students, faculty and members of the Flint community. The event was put together by Kevin Simpson in coordination with Dr. Doug Melton, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Kettering University, and other members of staff. The speakers included a comprehensive list of local entrepreneurs, artists and professors.
Proposal
The proposal is to bring the event back. As TED talks gain popularity both inside and outside the classroom, the event will give members of the Flint, Michigan and Kettering University communities a chance to share their stories and their problems. Many Kettering students pride themselves as problem-solvers, and this event will help them focus their energies in order to solve problems in their neighborhoods.
Maker Faire
Description
Our idea is to create an area on campus or event in which students could showcase their projects and inititatives to other students, faculty, and community. We also thought that we could host a competition in which teams are formed and compete to create the best project in one specified field or leave it open to a project of each groups' choosing.
Crowd Funding Site
Description
Our idea is to create a website allowing for alumni, parents, and the community to invest in student ideas. Our university routinely reaches out to alumni for donations to the school. We think we have the opportunity for our university's investors to directly invest in the amazing ideas of our fellow students.
This site then would allow students to post ideas and have the community view them. KES would be able to help guide and provide mentorship to help their ideas thrive.
Bulldog Demo Days
Description
Over the years, Kettering University students have performed various projects both in school and in the industry. Demo Days is an event that'd be hosted simply for the students to learn from each other's projects and talents. The concept is to bring in and share anything that a student has created. It could be a piece of art, a complex Excel document, a new product design or anything of the sort. Students often enjoy talking about their projects, and this will give them a way to share their creative energies.
Leaders
2014: Hunter Casbeer, Saheb Kapoor, Massoud Tavakoli, Alexander Barath, Eddie Scholdolski; Garreth Brazil.
2015: Alan Xia, Cheyne Westerman, Hunter Casbeer, Massoud Tavakoli. We also want to keep this open to the Kettering community, with the hope that anyone can get involved with this project.
