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    TCU IdeaFactory

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    JennaSimard
    The TCU IdeaFactory program supports student entrepreneurial efforts to develop ideas that positively impact education. It has funded five K-12 education projects since 2011, including an interactive plate tectonics learning guide distributed to over 10,000 schools. The program allows undergraduate students to gain experience in developing their ideas and provides opportunities to change education and the world.

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    TCU IdeaFactory

    Uploaded by

    JennaSimard
    44 views2 pages
    The TCU IdeaFactory program supports student entrepreneurial efforts to develop ideas that positively impact education. It has funded five K-12 education projects since 2011, including an interactive plate tectonics learning guide distributed to over 10,000 schools. The program allows undergraduate students to gain experience in developing their ideas and provides opportunities to change education and the world.

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    An article I wrote about the TCU IdeaFactory for the College of Science & Engineering newsletter

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    The TCU IdeaFactory program supports student entrepreneurial efforts to develop ideas that positively impact education. It has funded five K-12 education projects since 2011, including an interactive plate tectonics learning guide distributed to over 10,000 schools. The program allows undergraduate students to gain experience in developing their ideas and provides opportunities to change education and the world.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    44 views2 pages

    TCU IdeaFactory

    Uploaded by

    JennaSimard
    The TCU IdeaFactory program supports student entrepreneurial efforts to develop ideas that positively impact education. It has funded five K-12 education projects since 2011, including an interactive plate tectonics learning guide distributed to over 10,000 schools. The program allows undergraduate students to gain experience in developing their ideas and provides opportunities to change education and the world.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    TCU College of Science & Engineering

    7/26/13 7:38 PM

    HOME | Donate | Office of the Dean | Media

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    Ideas to change the world


    By Jenna Simard, CSE communications intern Edisons electric light bulb provided foundation for the electricity that now powers nearly everything we do today. Gutenbergs printing press forever changed communication and education, and Fords production process revolutionized the transportation industry and the pace of modern society as a whole. A single idea can change the world. TCU IdeaFactory is committed to helping TCU students, faculty and staff change the world with their ideas by supporting their entrepreneurial efforts to effect a positive impact. Since 2011, IdeaFactory has funded and guided the development of five concepts designed to aid K-12 education in schools around country. Under program director Eric Simanek, Robert A. Welch Chair and professor of chemistry, students developed IdeaFactorys first product in 2011. Simanek said IdeaFactorys most important mission is to educate undergraduates and provide them with support to develop products that will change the world. With assistance from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the group created the Pangea cutter and placematan interactive learning guide to plate tectonics. IdeaFactory has since distributed more than 10,000 cutters and 80,000 placemats to schools across the nation. We want to expand this much further than North Texas, Simanek said. Among the programs other projects is Dance of the Continents, an hour-long theatrical performance designed to engage middle school students in learning. Approximately 75 to 200 students participate in each performance to demonstrate plate tectonics. IdeaFactory marketing coordinator Cedric James has traveled to schools throughout the region to teach these studentsmany of whom have never performed beforehow to produce the show. Weve had nothing but positive feedback to the production, James said. It gets students actively involved and has touched a lot of teachers. James and Simanek hope to make the production more accessible to students around the country by developing an instructional package to send to interested schools. IdeaFactory also supports several other projects, including C2C, a six-week mentorship program designed to give undergraduates the opportunity to serve as positive role models for young students, and Model of the Atom, an iPhone app to be used in the classroom. In addition to serving K-12
    http://www.cse.tcu.edu/newsletter/2013-summer-IdeastoChange.asp Page 1 of 2

    TCU College of Science & Engineering

    7/26/13 7:38 PM

    In addition to serving K-12 education, IdeaFactory provides undergraduates with a unique opportunity to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The program allows students to gain experience in all aspects of the entrepreneurship process, such as research, data collection, patenting, packaging and distribution every step to develop an idea. Students meet with designers and manufacturers, people to whom they may have never have gained access. IdeaFactory offers students an experience well outside the norm, Simanek said. The program has focused on developing products rooted in teaching the sciences, but James said all TCU undergraduates are encouraged to submit their ideas. Its more than a CSE thing, its a TCU thing, he said. IdeaFactory is about giving children from all walks of life the chance to learn science and about giving students from all disciplines the opportunity for leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity. Simanek and James are currently focusing on finalizing production of the placemat and expanding nationwide distribution, creating a package of instruction for Dance of the Continents and participating in workshops to network and gain visibility. In addition, each semester, IdeaFactory aims to select one new product to support. The program is currently preparing to commence production on a marine conservation kit developed by a graduate student at TCU. IdeaFactory combines education and entrepreneurship to bring impactful concepts to life. The programs directors hope to continue supporting other students in their goals, with the idea that these individuals will meet IdeaFactorys mission of advancing education and, ultimately, changing the world. We are tied very closely to TCUs mission statement, Simanek said. Were supporting student leaders who effect change on a large scale. For more information about TCU IdeaFactory, visit www.tcuideafactory.com.

    Departments & Programs


    Biology Chemistry Computer Science Engineering Mathematics Nutritional Sciences Physics and Astronomy Pre-Health Professions Psychology School of Geology, Energy & The Environment

    Institutes & Centers


    Institute of Child Development Institute for Environmental Studies Center for GIS and Remote Sensing Center for Applied Psychology
    Science and Engineering Research Center

    Student Research Symposium TCU IdeaFactory Monnig Meteorite Gallery Institute of Behavioral Research Energy Institute

    2011 Texas Christian University | College of Science & Engineering Suite 102 Tucker Technology Center | TCU Box 298960 | Fort Worth, TX 76129 | Phone: 817.257.7727 | Fax: 817.257.7736

    http://www.cse.tcu.edu/newsletter/2013-summer-IdeastoChange.asp

    Page 2 of 2

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