We are Tom and Bas, and we have one thing in common: we both had the time of our life in a student team. We would even go so far as to say that we learned more during that period than during our Bachelor's studies. Having spent time with the Solar Team Eindhoven and the STORM team, we are convinced that every student should get at least a taste of this experience. That is we why we are now part of the TU/e innovation Space team, in which we hope, step by step, to make this happen.

In short: TU/e innovation Space is going to be the place on our campus where this new form of challenge-based learning slowly becomes reality. ‘Challenge-based learning’ is a fancy term for a course that is all about learning, not to gain an exam grade but because you need what you learn to win a challenge. 

Regular guys who like building tech 

We sometimes hear: those student teams and startups, aren’t they only for the best students? Not so. We aren’t ‘top’ students, just regular guys who think it’s cool to build tech. And it’s our intention to bring together everyone else who shares this passion. And we mean everyone, in all fields: from software to robotics, and from chemistry to design. As we aren’t tied to a particular department, we can take an interdisciplinary approach. As members of interdisciplinary student teams, we have seen at first-hand the benefits of collaborating with people who you wouldn’t normally ever come across. And, we should mention: it’s always party time! (Except at 5 a.m. after pulling an all-nighter). 

In recent months we have been working hard with staff and students on the redesign of the Gaslab, which is where we want to hold the party. Twelve teams have started to work up their ideas and the first interdisciplinary courses have gotten off to a flying start. What’s more, all kinds of events are planned, and of course everyone is welcome to come along. Check out: innovationspace.tue.nl. 

Once again, here’s the main thing: we are open to literally everyone and that’s why we want to call on students, researchers, employees and companies. Drop by sometime, borrow Huub’s pass to get a free cup of MAAS coffee, and take a look around!

Students Tom Selten (Innovation Sciences) and Bas Verkaik (Mechanical Engineering) are very much involved with the TU/e innovation Space. They will be blogging about what's really going on within the four walls of the Gaslab, where the hotspot of innovation is located.