Spring 2025 Dates For Students
Explore new tech, build skills, and make industry connections
The Tech Exploration Lab invites undergrad and grad students from all majors the opportunity to work on self-directed or industry projects, explore emerging technologies and make new connections. Gain new skills, build your resume, and grow your network!
Ways to work in the Lab:
The Lab offers several options for undergrad and grad students. All levels of experience and all majors are welcome:
- Bring your own ideas to explore and we will provide frameworks and resources to advance ideas. Option to compete for cash prizes for ideas with the highest business or social impact and present to an industry audience at an Open House on April 24.
- Define a project or take part in structured learning to earn independent study credits.
- Volunteer to help with industry events, identify new technologies, support project teams, and more.
- Just come to weekly Lab events to observe and learn.
Spring 2025 Student Calendar
Throughout the semester, make sure to check in and see what other events we may add including learning workshops, learning events, and industry projects.
Regular meetings (until the Open House on April 24):
- Monday evenings at 5:30-7:00 for team work, guest speakers, and announcements.
- Tuesdays 11:00-1:00 for Open Lab/Drop-in office hours in Room 1145 at the Discovery Building.
- Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 for drop-in virtual office hours with Dr. Kevin Ponto
- Thursdays 2:00-3:30 for drop-in virtual office hours with DoIT (mandatory if you are using the AI Sandbox)
Questions? Contact sandra.bradley@wisc.edu or bjsprecher.wisc.edu.
| Date | Event | Activity | Location | |
| Wednesday 1/29/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Info Session for Students | Learn more about the Lab, meet staff and other students (see a recording from the Info Session event) | Deluca Forum, Discovery Building | |
| Monday 2/3/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Lab Kickoff for Students | Come to this session to learn about Lab resources and hear important information from DoIT about AI policies and considerations for using the AI Sandbox. Be matched to other team members if desired for projects and begin defining projects. Connect with others for form learning groups. | Please RSVP if you plan to come to this session.
Deluca Forum, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery |
|
| Tuesday 2/4/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Office Hours / Open Lab | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 2/10/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Work Plan Session | Guest Speaker: Christopher Mende from Google will talk about how Google approaches innovation and answer questions about Google resources. We also will have a series of industry snapshots to learn more about problems to solve for those interested in industry projects. Those working on self-directed projects can have time to work on your project plans. | Researcher’s Link, 2nd Floor, Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 2/11/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Office Hours / Open Lab | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 2/17/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Demo, Team Meetings | Come for announcements, questions, and to work with your team. We also will have a demo of the Quest 3 headset | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 2/18/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Office Hours / Open Lab | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 2/24/2025 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Guest Speaker, Mike Grall, Talus Solutions – Cybersecurity and Work Session | Learn more about privacy, risk and cybersecurity. Meet with your team and work on projects. | Deluca Forum (Room 1145 for team breakouts) Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 2/25/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Office Hours / Open Lab | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 3/3/2025 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Team Work Session | Work with your team. See email for breakouts. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 3/4/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Office Hours / Open Lab | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 3/10/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Special Event: Pizza and Industry Meetups |
Come for an informal opportunity to have pizza and talk with some of our industry mentors, including Google, and other students to bounce ideas and inform direction for your project. | Students should RSVP | |
| Tuesday 3/11/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Office Hours / Open Lab | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 3/17/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Peer Feedback/Work Session | Be prepared to share progress with other students to learn what others are working on and gain insights.
Meet with your team and work on projects. |
Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 3/18/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Open Lab/Office Hours | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| 3/22/25-3/29/25 Spring Break | ||||
| Monday 3/31/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Special Event: Pizza and Professional Feedback Session |
Informal opportunity to meet with professionals from the MBA program to glean insights and gain feedback on progress. | Grainger Hall – Capital Cafe | |
| Wednesday 4/1/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Open Lab/Office Hours | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 4/7/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Round-robin sharing of progress and plan for Open House | Work with teams on drafting ideas for presentations and demo stations. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 4/8/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Open Lab/Office Hours | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 4/14/25 6:00-7:00 p.m. |
Finalize Open House displays | Teams work on finalizing displays for Open House. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Tuesday 4/15/25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Open Lab/Office Hours | Office hours with Lab faculty to ask questions one-on-one and get feedback on your plan for the semester. The Lab will also be open for teams to meet. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Monday 4/21/25 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
Rehearsals and Finalize Presentations | Rehearsals for Open House. Possible video short recording. | Room 1145 Discovery Building | |
| Thursday 4/24/25 |
Open House | 5:30-7:00 Open House – Open to the public. |
Discovery Building | |