MAKE program

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

The program 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 program 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?

MAKE platform (available after the 15th of septembre 2024)

Everything about student projects and resources to realize prototypes/projects

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

 

What are the projects supported?

Project directory

All projects supported by the MAKE initiative

 



Upcoming events supported


NEWS of the MAKE initiative

iStock

Designing life with artificial intelligence

— “Designing Life with AI” is a cross-disciplinary MAKE project in which EPFL students get a chance to explore the research process by designing proteins. A total of eight research labs are involved.

© 2025 EPFL

Powdered Soap Dispenser Wins Circular Economy Innovation Prize

— The graduate course “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering” brought together students from various fields of study at EPFL to tackle prototyping challenges focused on developing devices for a circular economy.

© 2024 EPFL - Illustration by Jeanne Guerard

RebuiLT project shows it's possible to build differently

— In a real-world example of how construction materials can be reused, a team of 230 EPFL students is building a community pavilion in Ecublens, near the Lausanne campus, through a low-tech, participative approach. This bold initiative entailed overcoming a number of logistical, technical and architectural challenges.

A new platform to boost project-based learning at EPFL

— A student is developing a new platform that will centralize all the resources needed to carry out projects at EPFL.

Creation of recycled plastic filament - 2024 EPFL/Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0

“I spent all my savings on my first 3D printer”

— SĂ©bastien Martinerie has been an expert in 3D printing for over 20 years. He’s modeled and printed thousands of prototypes in his career, including human organs for training surgeons. Today he coaches more than 500 EPFL students at SPOT.

All news