The Department of War invests nearly $1 trillion each year to develop, fund, and field the capabilities that protect national security. Behind this effort lies a complex system of interconnected processes—the recently nixed Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, and the Defense Acquisition System—that together determine what the military buys, how it funds it, and how it gets delivered. This seminar distills how these systems work, who the key players are, and how recent reforms are reshaping them. Participants will gain practical insight into navigating DoD’s priorities, understanding incentives, and identifying entry points for dual-use technologies and startups seeking to engage with defense customers.This class is offered twice during IAP.This class is offered twice. Please sign up for only one session.To register please complete this form: https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/intro_gov_contractsIn-person only at NE45-202 (300 Technology Square)

Workshop blurb:Ever wondered how are objects from our daily lives designed? How can we generate a computer 3D model of a classic iPod, a Play Station controller, or a LEGO Tower Bridge? What about designing the Taipei 101 tower? A banana? Or how about visualizing and interacting with these objects using VR? In this fun MIT IAP 2026 workshop, you will learn the skills to design and VR-visualize all of these, and much more!Split into 8 (6 CAD, 2 VR) 2-hour long sessions, the first half of each session will be spent learning new Autodesk Inventor and VR skills, while the second half will see the application of these new skills through in-class activities, with a focus on reverse engineering. In contrast to traditional mechanical design courses, this workshop places greater emphasis on the design process itself, understanding how we can plan and best leverage our available tools to arrive to our desired result. Thus, the sessions are less about following the instructions on an engineering drawing, and more about independent thinking and strategizing, reverse engineering an object into a 3D model. New to this edition of "How to CAD" are 2 sessions that will go through the process of visualizing 3D models using VR!Logistics:Please express your interest in this workshop by filling up the following form.You can find the "How to CAD Almost Anything" syllabus for this IAP 2026 here.

https://www.benferinga.com/

Welcome to the Middle Eastern Ensemble! Please join us as we play music from the wider region of the middle east, from Afghanistan to Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Armenia. Any skill level or instrument welcome. There will be four rehearsals and a final performance. Weekly meetings on Thursdays from 6-8pm. Please contact garo@mit.edu if interested.

Time: 8:00 PMLocation: Boston, MA

Engage with MIT’s innovation ecosystem at the 2026 MIT Japan Conference, exploring the next frontiers in science, technology, and business transformation.This year’s program features Professors Mark Bathe, Bryan Moser, Juejun Hu, Steven Spear, Kevin Chen, Alex Shalek, Faez Ahmed, and Ezra Zuckerman, highlighting breakthroughs in:Programmable biology and molecular engineeringRobotics, soft machines, and autonomous systemsMachine learning, optimization, and AI-driven designSystems thinking, leadership, and organizational innovationThe future of work and sociotechnical systemsTen MIT-connected deeptech startups will deliver lightning pitches showcasing cutting-edge innovations across AI systems, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, sustainable chemistry, autonomous vehicles, and smart infrastructure.Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with MIT faculty and MIT-connected startups through interactive sessions, a networking lunch, and an evening reception.Building on more than two decades of MIT Japan Conferences, the 2026 event will spotlight emerging technologies shaping the next decade and strengthen collaboration among MIT, MIT-connected startups, and Japan’s industry leaders.