Changes

The '''Sunseeker Solar Car''' team at WMU brings multiple engineering majors and business majors together with the goal of building a solar power car. Innovative thinking is held at a premium as the team operates within confines set by the American Solar Challenge. Students learn the principals of drive and electrical systems as they design the car, this knowledge is then tested as students fabricate and test their t designs. Throughout the year, the team competes in multiple 1200 to 1800 mile solar car races across the US and abroad. 

Western Michigan University also added '''Starting Gate''', a business accelerator, to its repertoire in the summer of 2013. The program is very competitive with only a few teams accepted each semester of the many applicants. The extracurricular 100-day program provides workshops, speakers, and resources for participants to help bring their business ideas to fruition, much like an incubator. Many At the end of the program, students present their work and findings to Kalamazoo business owners and potential stakeholders. In addition, many of these students also participate in the annual '''PITCH Competition '''that is hosted by the Haworth College of Business. As the name suggests, students compete for funding through 3-minute pitches for their business ideas. This competition is one of the most popular entrepreneurial-based extracurricular activities that is offered by the university. In late spring 2016, the Innovation Club was launched by former fellows, Mac Preston and Zach Crawford, along several other engineering and business students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. The club aims to help students learn hands-on skills that they may not learn in the classroom by providing a makerspace and curriculum for courses. Though still getting off its feet, the Innovation Club has already built a 3d printer and plans to host workshops, pop-up classes, and a Repair Cafe. Pop-up class plans include "How to Change the Oil in Your Car," "How to Network," and "How to Solder." The goal of these classes is to help students feel comfortable learning in new ways, as well as to learn skills not taught in tradtional settings.