Classes and Programmatic Offerings
Introduction
At the Innovation Center, our programs are centered around experiential learning – where students apply knowledge and life experiences to innovate. Interdisciplinary classes and programs bring together UIC faculty, staff, students, and corporate partners into one environment to foster learning by doing.
Classes
Interdisciplinary Solution Development (IXD)
Interdisciplinary Solution Development (IXD) brings together students from diverse academic disciplines to work with corporate sponsors, where they tackle real-world industry and user challenges. Through collaboration, creative exploration, and diverse perspectives, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This course emphasizes teamwork and multidisciplinary ideation, empowering students to design innovative solutions that respond to industry demands while preparing them for dynamic professional environments.
EXD
Entrepreneurial Solution Development (EXD)
Entrepreneurial Solution Development (EXD) allows students to take the lead by selecting and defining their own problem statements, fostering creativity, initiative, and ownership throughout the process. The interdisciplinary course prioritizes needs identification, guiding students to deeply understand the context of the challenges they aim to address. By emphasizing teamwork, critical thinking, and multidisciplinary approaches, (EXD) encourages participants to explore diverse strategies. The focus on user-centered solutions ensures that outcomes are relevant and impactful, preparing students to navigate complex, real-world challenges with confidence.
TIR
Tech in Residence (TIR)
Tech in Residence (TIR) originated from Break Through Tech Chicago (BTTC) and is a class that supports computer science and engineering majors. Teams work with a corporate partner on a challenging project for the duration of the class. As a part of the course framework, students will interview for a summer internship that takes place following the class.
Students interested in taking a class
Partners interested in sponsoring a class
Other Offerings
Summer Venture Accelerator
The Accelerator will not be running Summer 2025.
The Summer Venture Accelerator is an initiative is for all UIC students who have a startup idea and want to work on developing it. Selected teams will work closely with UIC faculty and industry professionals for 9 weeks at the Innovation Center for market validation and creation.
Other Offerings
Sandbox Lab
Supported by Apple’s Community Education Initiative, the Sandbox Lab program is designed for UIC students and the greater Chicago community to access a variety of learning opportunities aimed at immersive experiences addressing tech, health, and finance disparities. Its main focus is on Swift coding skill development and Apple developer tools, such as classes/workshops in Swift 101: Everyone Can Code, Everyone Can Create, Spatial Computing, and AR/VR technologies.