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

© 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.

The team of students is working on a unique prototype that uses graphene membranes combined with a porous, sponge-like material. ©Alain Herzog/EPFL

EPFL Carbon Team aims to capture CO2 with sieves and sponges

— The team of students is working on a unique prototype that uses graphene membranes combined with a porous, sponge-like material to pull carbon from the atmosphere. The technology will soon be tested on an EPFL campus, with the captured CO2 used to produce carbonated water.

During the group activity, an observer watches how the members interact and make decisions, along with any implicit stereotypes that emerge.  EPFL/Alain Herzog 2023

Workshop helps eliminate unconscious biases

— Unconscious biases are formed by the culture and society we live in, along with our education and personal experiences. In the engineering profession, this biases often work against women and minorities. But a recent EPFL study found that training can help us change our behavior.

2022 Vivapoly awards ceremony © Loan Dao

“We want to make EPFL labs aware of how much plastic they use”

— Plast It Back is a student initiative that combines creative thinking with hands-on practice to recycle the plastic waste coming out of research labs at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences (SV). The goal is to build awareness across EPFL about the issue of plastic use.

All news