MAKE Initiative

A support for innovative pedagogy that promotes practical work, project-based learning and interdisciplinarity.

MAKE initiative

As a world-renowned science and technology university, EPFL must remain at the forefront of teaching practices. It is our duty to equip our students with the cross-disciplinary skills they will need to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

The MAKE initiative makes it possible to integrate interdisciplinarity, project-based learning, experimentation and prototyping into students’ curricula.

The initiative provides teachers with Discovery Learning Labs (DLLs). Spaces including state-of-the-art equipment to offer practical work directly related to research or the industrial environment.

Finally, the initiative also provides students (bachelor and master) with a professional consulting service and prototyping spaces to support them in the realization of their open projects.

 

What are the resources supporting project based learning?

Prototyping network and resources

Support students in the realization of their prototype/project

Discovery learning laboratories ( DLLs )

Support teachers in the implementation of practical work

Pedagogical support

Useful resources for coaching students in a project or practical work

The prototyping network is very rich at EPFL, the SPOT and the SKIL are just the tip of the iceberg.

What are the projects supported?

Project directory

All projects supported by the MAKE initiative

MAKE Projects

Interdisciplinary projects supported by the school

Student startup launchpad

Embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure

You are in an association and you have an idea for a project that requires prototyping? Or maybe you just have a more personal idea? Come to the SPOT welcome desk to discuss it with us!



Upcoming events supported


NEWS of the MAKE initiative

The SP80 team has just attached a kite to its sailboat. ©2023 EPFL/SP80-CC-BY-SA 4.0

SP80 boat ready to take off

— The SP80 team has just attached a kite to its sailboat, in another step towards its goal of breaking the current world record and reaching a speed of 150 km/h. The SP80 venture, now in its fifth year, is pooling the skills of EPFL students and alumni to build an ultra-fast sailboat powered only by the wind.

© 2023 EPFL/ EPFL Rocket Team  - CC-BY-SA 4.0

“A reminder of the omnipresence of Murphy's Law in aerospace”

— In October 2023, the EPFL Rocket Team participated in the European Rocketry Challenge – EuRoC 23 – in Portugal. The team, which won in 2021 and came in third last year, created a different kind of rocket this year, powered by a bi-liquid engine instead of conventional rocketry amateur propulsion methods. Unfortunately, the engine shut down after two second of flight and 200 meters of altitude, and the rocket fell to the ground. In spite of the crash, the Rocket Team was still awarded second place for technical excellence.

Aurore Nembrini and Pascal Vuilliomenet. 2023/Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0

Two silo breakers awarded at EPFL's graduation ceremony

— This year’s Outstanding Commitment Award, handed out at EPFL’s Master’s graduation ceremony, went to two people: Aurore Nembrini, the Sustainability & Operations Manager at EPFL’s Sustainability Unit, and Pascal Vuilliomenet, a project manager for EPFL’s Discovery Learning Labs (DLLs) and Sportech initiative.

© 2023 Xplore Team

EPFL Xplore team wins 3rd place at European Rover Challenge 2023

— Xplore secured a third consecutive podium at the European Rover Challenge 2023. During three days from September 15-17, the team competed with their latest rover, Kerby, and drone, Brokkoly, against other international rover teams at the world's largest Marsyard in Kielce, Poland.

Abtin Saateh, PhD student at BIOS, Mateo Hamel, Karim Zahra and Marco Fumagalli, cofounders of Neosens © 2023 Alain Herzog

New biosensor detects sepsis in newborns

— STUDENT PROJECTS – The Neosens project proposes a sepsis detection system for newborn babies in low- and middle-income countries, while MossStandard is developing a prototype of air purifier based on plant moss.

All news