Keep yourself accountable and meet your resolutions! Writing Together Online offers structured writing time to help you stay focused and productive throughout the IAP. We hold writing sessions every weekday, Monday through Friday, 9-10:30am. Join our daily 90-minute writing sessions and become part of a community of scholars who connect online, set realistic goals, and write together in the spirit of accountability and camaraderie. The program is open to all MIT students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and affiliates who are working on papers, proposals, thesis/dissertation chapters, application materials, and other writing projects.Register for IAP Writing ChallengeStarting on Mon, Jan 6th, through Fri, Jan 31st Mon-Fri 9-10:30am (Eastern Time)Those who attend at least 5 sessions during the IAP will be automatically entered into the raffle of gift-card prizes taking place on Fri, Jan 31st at 10:30am. The more you participate, the more times you will be entered into the raffle of prizes.For more information and to register, check the WCC website. Please spread the word and join with peers and friends.

Hacker Fab is an open-source initiative that provides blueprints, build instructions, and process knowledge for making nanofabrication machines and using them to create integrated circuits. Over IAP, join us for our course consisting of very brief lectures + guided build sessions, in which we will construct a photolithography stepper, spin coater, magnetron sputterer, and work towards the fabrication of diodes and transistors from scratch. The final build session will feature a short lecture and guidance from BreakingTaps!Hacker Fab will be sticking around at MIT after IAP, and is looking for student leaders that would be interested in taking ownership of project directions into the academic year.Please join the Hacker Fab Discord here and assign yourself a role as an MIT student: https://discord.gg/zfssVDC9

Monday, January 27-Friday, January 31, 2025 9:00 am - 1:00 pm ET each day (5 classes) Location: 3-133 Register by Saturday, January 25. Email Pablo Duenas (pduenas@mit.edu)For the 16th consecutive year, this five-session hands-on learning experience continues to evolve, delving into mathematical modeling to understand and accelerate the transition toward net-zero targets. With a primary focus on electricity systems, the course examines their pivotal role in a carbon-constrained economy. Participants will address critical challenges, such as the deployment of renewable energy resources, the surge in active demand response and electric vehicle integration, the synergies between electricity and hydrogen to support deep decarbonization, and the pending expansion of energy access in non-electrified areas of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. These challenges require advanced mathematical models for optimizing and analyzing complex decision-making processes. In addition to theoretical insights, the course offers practical tools, enabling participants to run case studies and explore the impact of different mathematical formulations. Real-world applications will be showcased to underscore the power to inform key stakeholders and public opinion, providing a robust foundation for driving collective action toward a net-zero future.No prior experience is required, although basic familiarity with Python and Julia programming can be helpful. Participants are welcome to attend individual sessions.Monday, January 27Part 0: How mathematical models contribute to achieving the net-zero target on timeCarbon emitters, decarbonization solutions, and the pivotal role of electricityLeveraging models to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and public opinionIntroduction to fundamentals on optimization techniquesPart 1: Removing carbon emissions at the community levelScheduling a decarbonized Home Energy Management System (HEMS)Energy communities and enabling active participation of buildingsTuesday, January 28Part 2: Removing carbon emissions from daily electricity productionUnit-Commitment (UC): daily dispatch of electricity generation unitsManaging uncertainty through stochastic optimization of UCWednesday, January 29Part 3: Removing carbon emissions from annual electricity productionMedium-term operation planningManaging uncertainty through stochastic hydro-thermal coordinationPart 4: The network as the backbone of electric systemsUnderstanding the role of the electricity networkManaging network constraints with Locational Marginal PricingThursday, January 30Part 5: Models for informing utility-scale investmentsBasic concepts: optimal mix problem by screening curvesDOLPHYN: an expansion model for studying low-carbon energy futuresFriday, January 31Part 6: Electrification and energy transition: openTEPES, REM, DECARBopenTEPES: informing infrastructure needs across AfricaREM: developing national electrification plans worldwideDECARB: is the distribution grid ready for wide electrification?InstructorsPablo Duenas, Research Scientist, MIT Energy Initiative (pduenas@mit.edu)Andres Ramos, Professor, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (arght@mit.edu)Javier Garcia-Gonzalez, Professor, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (javiergg@mit.edu)Ruaridh Macdonald, Energy Systems Research Lead, MIT Energy Initiative (rmacd@mit.edu)Yifu Ding, Postdoctoral Associate, MIT Energy Initiative (yifuding@mit.edu)Invited speakersGraham Turk, Deputy Director of Utility Regulation, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Gaia is a space telescope that measures the position and velocities of stars in the Milky Way. People of different levels will be accessing this data in the same room, and collaborating on new and exciting projects. If you have ideas on what to use the new data release for, great! Come in for the snacks and the company. If not, we have some fun projects for you, and a day full of tutorials! So join in! Prizes will be given! Register by January 15th!

This course is aimed for architecture and urban planning students and enthusiasts. It will introduce the synthesis of data-driven research and urban design. The workshop will walk participants through their own data collections using gaze tracking glasses and heart rate monitors on campus.

How to create art with DNA origami technology, from design through manufacturing to imaging with atomic force microscopy. Students will learn aesthetics and think through critical and speculative design approaches about the cultural impacts of this emerging technology.The workshop participants should bring their laptops as we will be conducting hands-on exercises that require a computer.Undergraduates welcome.Please email Matej Vakula at matej@mit.edu for more information or to sign up.

The Art and Science of PCB Design is an introductory course into the fundamental aspects of developing electronic systems on printed circuit boards (PCBs). This course will heavily focus on providing hands-on labs with electronic design tools actively used in industry towards designing a primary course project resulting with the physical assembly of a PCB-based device. Students will gain experience in designing systems, conducting SPICE simulations, drawing schematics, and creating a PCB layout. Complex topics in electrical and PCB design will be explored, including from guest speakers and through advanced simulations. This class is intended for students of all skill-levels but at a minimum requires a basic understanding of circuit analysis, which will be applied towards learning how to implement real devices.Prerequisites: Understanding of basic circuit analysis provided in 6.200, 2.678, or equivalent. Prospective students who have not taken 6.200, 2.678, or an equivalent class will be required to pass a staff-created open-book pretest, prior to the start of IAP, that covers required circuit knowledge for the course. Prospective students should fill out the interest form located at: pcb.mit.edu.Lectures: MWF10, room 2-190Labs: 2-hour lab section on Tuesdays and Thursdays, room 38-530 (times TBD)Office hours: MWF 8a-10a, 11a-1p; TTh 5-7p, room 36-144Once accepted, please register for credit under EC.S03 or 6.S092, 6 units, p/d/f

The space economy is set to triple by 2035. What does that mean for your industry? Join MIT’s Paul McDonagh-Smith and NASA Chief Scientist Dr. James B. Garvin for a live conversation as we explore how space exploration is transforming industries on Earth. Here are some industry examples: - The financial services sector is increasingly relying on space technologies for secure, real-time data transmissions that enhance global transactions, improve market analysis, and safeguard against cybersecurity threats - In the transportation industry, space-driven innovations in global positioning systems (GPS) enable more precise navigation for ships, planes, and autonomous vehicles, reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency - Pharmaceutical companies are exploring microgravity environments aboard the International Space Station to develop new drugs and materialsDon’t miss this conversation on the opportunities waiting in the “forever frontier.”MIT Visiting Senior Lecturer Paul McDonagh-Smith studies the intersection between technology and business. His research demonstrates how by harnessing the same technologies that are delivering disruption—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and computing —we can build and embed business approaches that convert our challenges into opportunities for sustainable organizational growth.Dr. James B. Garvin is the Chief Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Principal Investigator of the DAVINCI mission to Venus.Join McDonagh-Smith and Garvin for a 60-minute live conversation on LinkedIn to discuss: - How to forecast the next big breakthroughs and leverage space innovations for competitive advantage - Cutting-edge technologies driving space exploration, including AI, robotics, and computingBusiness Applications of Space Exploration (BASE) is a five-day immersive course at MIT that equips participants with strategies, frameworks, and tools to navigate the intersection of business and space exploration. Designed for visionary leaders, the course applies cutting-edge models to real-world business challenges, fostering value creation in an era of rapid technological change. Learn more: executive.mit.edu/base

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking solutions to reconnect the city with the riverfront, proposing floating parks, highway coverings, and layered urban interventions. This workshop invites participants to envision innovative designs—such as bridges, floating structures, or highway coverings—that reunite the city with its landscape. The project integrates architecture, infrastructure, landscape, and climate considerations, addressing urban interventions to enhance seamless access to the riverfront. Projects can be developed individually or in groups using images, panels, models, or videos. Students in civil engineering, architecture (undergraduate or graduate), or related fields are welcome to explore ideas from conceptual design to master planning. Guidance will include virtual and in-person sessions with guest lecturers and critics. The aim of this course is to exhibit material together in Seoul in 2025.Students should bring laptop to all sessions with Rhinoceros installed.

Gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which advancements in computing has impacted society. This session will lead with a tutorial on the future of work followed by a fireside chat on copyright laws.

Organzied by the 11-6 (Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science) program, this workshop builds on the urban-related 6.100B problem sets (network routing, recursion and Monte Carlo simulation) but focuses on real-world contexts and decision-making cases. You will look into why these problems matter and who make the decisions - from the access and control of local roads, to mandatory insurance policy for coastal development, to locating essential public services, and hone your innovative problem-solving ability by designing and testing alternative problem formulations and exercising Python programming skills.11.085 | 1-0-1 Units for registered students. Audits welcomed.Schedule (All sessions from 10AM-12PM and will be held in 9-255):Monday, January 27 (Socio-technical Perspectives on Path Optimization Problems)Wednesday, January 29 (Stakeholders’ Interests and Risks in Public Policy Making)Friday, January 31 (Polling Places Locations, Closures and Where to Provide Essential Public Services)

Paola Moscariello, Princeton University

Design, build and test your own laptop-based radar capable of forming Doppler, range and synthetic aperature radar (SAR) images. Must register by 1/22/2025Dates: Jan 27th, 29th, 31stTime: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM ESTLocation: 33-419Registration Opens: November 25, 2024To register email: kenneth.koloddziej@ll.mit.edu

Join a member of our Visitor Experience Team for this 45-minute introductory tour of the MIT Museum. Learn about the collection, our history, and get your questions answered by our gallery experts. Space is limited, please speak to a visitor experience representative at the admission desk when purchasing museum tickets if you would like to participate in the tour.Every Wednesday at 11am Free with museum admission

Commander Charles Fuehrer will give an Independent Activities Period presentation on important aspects of naval surface warfare.Speaker info: Commander Charles Fuehrer is the US Navy 2024-2025 Fellow at the MIT Security Studies Program. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program in 2010. He also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a Master’s in Business Administration and completed The Naval War College non-resident course for Joint Professional Military Education Phase I. CDR Fuehrer’s sea duty assignments include: USS Laboon (DDG 58) as Strike Warfare Officer and Force Protection Officer, USS Lake Erie (CG 70) as Damage Control Assistant, USS Halsey (DDG 97) as Combat Systems Officer, and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) as Plants and Tactics Officer. His shore assignments include Naval Postgraduate School, Officer Training Command Newport and a GSA assignment as the NAVCENT TLAM LNO at Combined Joint Operations Center – Jordan (CJOC-J).Prior to joining SSP, he was the N3 Operations Officer at Destroyer Squadron FIVE ZERO forward deployed out of Manama, Bahrain where he managed the operational schedule and tasking for six U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters and all independently deployed cruisers, destroyers, and littoral combat ships. CDR Fuehrer spent two months as the Director of Operations for Combined Maritime Forces Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN embarked on a U.S. DDG in the Red Sea.Open to the MIT communityMIT is committed to providing an environment that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you need a disability related accommodation to attend or have other questions, please contact us at ssp-info@mit.edu.

A Dialogue Lab providing training in empathic listening and intellectual hospitality, based on the work of the Ideos Institute.In these polarized times, what does it mean to disagree well? Students participated in a workshop that equipped them with skills of empathic intelligence and enabled them to pursue meaningful dialogue across difference.This mini-course builds on a curriculum developed by the Ideos Institute, experts in empathic intelligence and producers of the documentary film “Dialogue Lab: America.”Lunch provided!

Are you an MIT faculty member curious about engaging more deeply in the world of startups? This IAP session is designed to help you explore your role in venture creation, whether as an advisor, board member, or even a founder.​We’ll tackle key questions like:​How do cofounders share responsibilities?​What’s a fair equity split between faculty and student cofounders?​Can I pursue tenure while starting a company?​How much equity should I get for my student's startup?​What are my fiduciary risks as a board member?​Featuring special guests:Ray Stata, Co-Founder and Chairman of Analog Devices​Hari Balakrishnan, Professor and Founder & CTO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics​Fadel Adib, Associate Professor and CEO & Co-Founder of Cartesian Systems​Alexander Amini, Co-Founder of Liquid AI and Research Affiliate at MIT ​Join us for an engaging conversation and a chance to connect over lunch!**RSVP required to attend**

This IAP class can be taken as a not-for-credit experiential learning opportunity by MIT students, alumni, and employees, or as an undergraduate 2-credit class.Explores the potential and pitfalls of philanthropy as a mechanism for social change, culminating with the class granting $7000 to local community agencies. Students analyze the work of non-profits to address the challenges and opportunities facing MIT’s neighboring communities, with particular focus on community representation, equity, and social justice. We will especially consider organizations that emphasize work with historically marginalized communities. The class culminates with students making a group decision on how the class will disperse $7000 to local non-profits. The class is designed to cultivate a sense of community, often over snacks and deliberative dialogue. Each session, we’ll learn and apply group decision making methods that will help in making the final funding allocations. Through class discussion and supporting materials, students examine the interaction between philanthropy and social change, including the role of philanthropists past and present in shaping social change. Subject can count toward the 9-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students.Intrigued? Use this form to express interest and we’ll follow-up to confirm participation.Taught by: A. Hynd and V.Yee Tuesdays and Wednesdays over IAP, noon-1:00pm in 8-119.Student Testimonials:“This class was a great complement to my other coursework in the sense that we were looking at human-focused issues and bringing emotion and heart into our work rather than just solving equations or writing programs. It brought me back to my community and reminded me why I wanted to come to MIT in the first place: to make a tangible impact on someone’s life. Unlike my other classes, I knew my work was going toward more than tests or essays — I felt I, along with my classmates and instructors, was working toward a real positive difference in my community.““This class provided a great opportunity to give away [real money] in a thoughtful way. It really embodied ‘mens et manus’ as we learned about different forms of philanthropy and how to go about selecting and evaluating organizations and decision processes. It was a very collaborative and social experience as we worked as a team to make our decisions, learning by doing.”Read more student testimonials in our recent blog post!

A martial art known for its many health benefits, tai chi is a moving study in meditation.Designed for small spaces, this class covers fundamental skills including postures, hand, and footwork. A short Yang style tai chi form will be taught.Special clothing is not necessary, but athletic shoes and loose fitting pants are recommended.Registration is required on our wellness class website. If you do not already have an account on this website, you'll need to create one. This is fee-based class and open to the entire MIT community.

Join us for lunch as we experiment with the genre of 'spiritual autobiography.' Life is full of influences on our human spirit - religious and secular, helpful and hurtful. Exploring these legacies in a free and creative way can help us understand ourselves, and our world, more deeply

What is Islamophobia? What are its root causes? And how does it manifest in daily life? This session will explore research findings about how anti-Muslim bigotry impacts Muslims in the U.S. context. We will also share the lived experiences of Muslim students at MIT and discuss tools individuals can use to counter Islamophobia. A Q&A session is included.The session is intended for first-timers only (people who have not previously attended similar sessions.)

Computers can get lost or stolen. Data can become corrupted. Hardware can fail. Setting up a solid backup system is key to avoiding data loss and restoring your data when catastrophe strikes. This session will cover what a good backup system looks like and what resources are available at MIT to help you confidently back up your stuff. This workshop will be held over Zoom and the link will be emailed to registrants.Register here.

Dr. Antentor HintonAssistant Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University

The general public is invited to attend the final Thermal Energy Networks (EC.S35/EC.S95) class, an Independent Activities Period class offered at MIT D-Lab, to hear about the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) plan for rapid and cost-effective campus decarbonization. Speakers will include Herb Zien, David Williams, Rick Clemenzi, Judy Siglin, John Dabels, Megan Lim, Anoushka Tamhane and Susan Murcott, MIT Alumni for Climate Action (an MIT Campus Group), and Geo@MIT (a student group).

Have you ever wondered…· How do space science missions get their start?· What funding is available for space instruments and experiments and how do I tap into it?· What’s a review panel anyway and what are they looking for from a proposal?Then join our course to learn what it takes to write successful NASA proposals! Over the course of three sessions we will learn about:· The NASA funding landscape· How to read funding solicitations· How to develop compelling concepts and write winning proposals, and· What to expect (and do!) after you’re awarded.This course will culminate in students developing their own concepts for a real solicitation (individually or in teams) and writing a draft 3-page proposal that will be reviewed in a mock panel. This course is open to all members of the MIT community and is not for credit.Registration is required for this course. Please register using the following link and feel free to reach out to LParit@mit.edu with any questions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc09JvZC8ctQiZkW_2xfXH1qq7di7MTUzHBetDCv7Tr1YY8oQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

This workshop is for people seeking clarity, courage, and community on their climate journeys. Through self-exploration and discussions, you will deepen your vision about your unique role in the climate-healing movement.Workshop scheduleJanuary 15: We look inward — We will explore our climate emotions, core motivations, guiding values, and skills and powers.January 22: We look outward — We will explore climate solutions, accelerators for change, and our unique contexts and communities.January 29: We look forward — We will explore our visions of the future, create a personalized “climate compass,” and plan.The group is limited to 15 participants. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.Email facilitator Maria Minkova, PsyD to register: mminkova@med.mit.edu

REGISTRATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED.Who doesn’t love colorful blinking lights? In this 2 session workshop we will look at how Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) work, how to connect and power them, and a variety of ways to control and animate them. Whether you’re looking for a simple indicator light or an art display with 100s of LEDs, this workshop will get you started. Students will be introduced to microcontrollers and CircuitPython, but no prior electronics or programming experience is required. You will need to bring a laptop.This is a 2 session workshop. Enrollment is limited and registration is required.Dates & Location:Wednesday January 22nd from 1:00 - 4:00pm, Room N52-399 Wednesday January 29th from 1:00 - 4:00pm, Room N52-399

Autonomous RACECAR IAP CourseLearn about basic autonomy and robotics for ground vehicles in this short two-week course on Autonomous RACECAR! In this course, members of the MIT community will have the opportunity to program a 1:14 scale RC car to autonomously navigate through an obstacle course. The course concludes with a hackathon and an all-out race in the famous MIT tunnels, with prizes and more!Instructor Name: Chris LaiRegistration Opens: November 25, 2024Dates: Jan 20th, 22nd, 24th, 27th, 29th, and 31stTime: 1pm - 4pm ESTLocation: 17-130Registration Link: https://mit-bwsi.formstack.com/forms/racecar_neo_iap_2025Website link: https://sites.mit.edu/mit-racecar/

Join us for a 3-hour workshop centered around improving your skills using Planetscope Daily Imagery, with a focus on using Planet’s ArcGIS & QGIS integrations for image processing & analysis. This event is designed for those keen on advancing their understanding of leveraging Planetscope Imagery, at scale, for research and teaching.This workshop will include interactive exercises using the Planet API, QGIS, and ArcGIS Pro. If you need help accessing any of these resources, please contact gishelp@mit.edu.Schedule (Eastern Time Zone):1:00-1:10pm: Welcome and Introduction of Instructors and Facilitators 1:10-2:00pm: Introduction to Planet satellites, data products, and access 2:00-2:10pm: Break 2:10-3:00pm: Introduction to Planet data in QGIS 3:00-3:10pm: Break 3:10-4:00pm: Introduction to Planet data in ArcGIS Pro 4:00-4:10pm: Exploring Planet self-learning resources & Closing remarksRegister here.

Fold DNA to create nanometer-scale art! Learn the basic theory, CAD tools, and methods for folding DNA to create designed geometric shapes.This IAP workshop will provide participants with hands-on experience in creating art using DNA origami technology, from design to assembly. We will also explore DNA imaging techniques utilizing atomic force microscopy. Students will merge scientific approaches with aesthetics and design while considering the cultural impacts of this emerging technology.Undergraduates welcome.Please RSVP to matej@mit.edu.View other opportunities in the Huang-Hobbs Biomaker space and express interest using the following website. https://tinyurl.com/hhbms-IAP2025This event is the same as: https://calendar.mit.edu/event/dna-origami-art

Offers students alternative exploratory experience in teaching, learning, and researching. Through collaborative activities with open-ended experiments from diverse origins, participants re-create historical instruments and discoveries that challenged assumptions and sparked new investigations. Student curiosity and questions shape specific course content. Assignments include observations, experiments, readings, journal writing and sketching, and a final reflective paper.

OVERVIEWThe Dual-use Ventures IAP course is a learning opportunity for students, technology builders, companies, and the broader community looking to understand:Why dual-use technology is important for innovation in the U.S. and among its Allies.How to build, grow, and scale dual-use ventures domestically and globally among like-minded, open societies. The key challenges ventures face when developing technology serving both government and commercial customers and how to navigate them.We’ll discuss frameworks, funding opportunities, entrepreneur roadmaps, and government resources.Participants will co-author a whitepaper synthesizing learnings from the course.STRUCTUREThis short course offers expert-led presentations in-person on the MIT campus. The format has historically been highly interactive, and we encourage those eager to engage with instructors and peers to attend the course in its entirety.KEY OUTCOMESUnderstand the need to move opportunistically across both commercial and defense markets in the early stage of a ventureGain insights on how dual-use ventures can navigate the Dual-Use Readiness levers over the course of their commercialization journey. Learn about government-driven incentives across various national security and defense innovation agencies. Gain insights on how to protect the long-term value of your technology for both commercial and government markets with a robust IP strategyUnderstand the key challenges related to the adoption of dual-use technology Collaboratively develop a whitepaper summarizing key insights.

The goal of this class is to provide participants with a technical introduction to decarbonizing building energy systems via thermal energy networks, to become familiar with one or several "En-ROADS-like" decarbonization models and experiential learning through three field trips to Net Zero sites in the greater Boston area. The class has four sessions.Attend for 1 unit of credit by registering for EC.735 (Undergrad) or EC.795 (Grad), "Thermal Energy Networks for Rapid Decarbonization of Campus, Neighborhood, and City Buildings"

Do you have a long-term home for your research data? Somewhere it can be persistently accessed so that other researchers can replicate your research or to comply with journal or funder requirements? There are many options out there, but we're here to help you narrow it down. This short workshop runs through MIT Libraries' recommendations for data repositories, as well as some of the main characteristics to consider as you decide where your data should be made available. This workshop will be held over Zoom and the link will be emailed to registrants.Register here.

We are surrounded by technology, which is constantly evolving and changing. So too is the legal landscape regarding digital accessibility. Against this dynamic backdrop, how do we ensure that all community members, including those with disabilities, can access our content and our procedures? What steps can we take to ensure that all are included, and why does it matter? This session will provide an overview of digital accessibility – what it means; what the legal landscape currently looks like; and how we can all do our part to make our digital environment accessible to all, including those with disabilities.Who should attend? Communicators, designers, purchasers, and all who create and distribute digital content. Space is limited to 30. RSVP requested. Please email your RSVP to Genevieve Aguilar at aguilarg@mit.eduPresenters: Genevieve Aguilar (Counsel, OGC), Kathleen Monagle (Associate Dean, Disability & Access Services), and Jennifer Dee (Assistant Director, Digital Accessibility)

Course Objective:This 4-week course will guide student teams through building a mobile app for iOS, Android, or using a cross-platform framework (such as Flutter or React Native). Each team will build an app that will offer an interactive tour of MIT's campus, highlighting its history and current innovations. TechCASH prizes will be awarded to the team based for best overall, most innovative use of technology, and best user experience. Please register here.Course Location and Times:Days: Wednesdays in January - 1/8, 15, 22, & 29Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pmLocation: MIT Museum, E281/8 - Collections Workshop E28-3XX1/15 - Classroom E28-2621/22 - Classroom E28-2621/29 - TBDCourse Structure:Jan 8: Introduction to Mobile App Development and MIT History and Tour ConceptObjectivesIntroduce students to mobile app development using their platform of choice: iOS (SwiftUI), Android (Jetpack Compose), or Cross-Platform (Flutter or React Native). Define the scope of the project, form teams, and brainstorm app ideas focusing on key locations, history, and interactive features.Platform-Specific IntroductionsTeam Formation (3-5)Project Kickoff – Overview of MIT campus highlightsJan 15: Implementing Navigation and MapsObjectivesBegin building the core structure of the app, focusing on navigation, map integration, and location-based services to guide users around the campus.Platform-Specific NavigationMaps Integration and locationJan 22: Adding Interactivity and Multimedia ElementsObjectivesEnhance the user experience by adding quizzes, multimedia content, and (optionally) Augmented Reality (AR) features, cross-device testing, debugging, polishing UI/UX.Interactive FeaturesMultimedia IntegrationDebugging and OptimizationCross-Device TestingPolishing the UI/UXFine-tune the app for a professional, user-friendly experience.Jan 29: Presentations and Awarding PrizesEach team will have 10-15 minutes to present their app to the class, explaining design decisions and showcasing the app's interactivity and multimedia. They will discuss the design and goals highlighting the key features, the user experience, and MIT content. Additionally, each team will discuss the development process, what worked, what didn’t and why.PrizesBest Overall App ($250 TechCASH)Most Innovative Use of Technology ($150 TechCASH)Best User Experience ($150 TechCASH)Assessment CriteriaCreativity & InnovationDid the team approach interactive elements in a unique way? Was the multimedia content well-integrated? Was the use of AR (if any) effective?FunctionalityIs the app user-friendly, responsive, and functional on different devices? Is navigation smooth?User ExperienceIs the app engaging, intuitive, and visually appealing? Is the app fun?MIT ContentIs the content relevant and informative? Does it give the user an accurate picture of MIT?Team CollaborationHow well did the team work together to build a polished, functional app?Next steps?

Four weeks of music and making!Live jamming • Guest speaker • WorkshopsWe invite all MIT community members tojoin us and learn how to cobble simple circuits, microprocessors, and playful interfaces to make music and enjoyable noise together. Gather every Wednesday of IAP to learn, troubleshoot, and jam together with prototype instruments. No prior experience with circuits or musical instruments is required!January 15 Guest Speaker: Drew Bach (Product Planning Manager/Research Engineer, AlphaTheta Americas, Inc.)Write once, play anywhere: a modular low-code approach to rapid prototyping musical instrumentsDrew Bach has extensive experience as a working DJ, product management and business development at Gibson, Apple, Guillemot and other leading brands. He joined Pioneer DJ in 2019 with a two-decade background in the music technology space. Bach had previously developed products with Stanton DJ, KRK, and Gemini DJ working on embedded DJ technology, turntables and studio monitoring solutions.The Make Noise Jam IAP series is a musical hackathon sponsored by the MindHandHeart Chancellor’s Innovation Fund and run in collaboration with the MIT Game Lab, the MIT Voxel Lab, and the MIT Music Production Collaborative.

Dear MIT students from every course/major, undergraduate and graduate,For the second year in a row, we are offering this three-unit, for-credit class led by instructors Prof. Olivier de Weck and Prof. Luca Carlone from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro). You can view the syllabus here.In this experimental, three-week class, students will learn about the fundamentals of aerospace engineering through extended (virtual) reality. No prior experience necessary!Students who complete this class will enter a raffle to win one of two Meta Quest 3S headsets!If you are interested in this course, please fill out the following short, pre-registration survey (4-5mins), so we can tailor our instruction to this year's students. The survey also contains more information about the class, including the lecture dates: https://forms.gle/rYJs3ukn519Zc4Yt7.

Advance sign-up required by 1/15/2025Sites are often represented as static, empty plots of land. In reality, every site is an environment—an interconnected system shaped by ecological, cultural, and material relationships. These environments extend vertically into the sky, horizontally through soil and ecosystems, and inward to unseen processes such as microorganisms and material histories. How can experimental drawing and representation techniques reveal these complexities and reshape the way we design?This workshop invites participants to reimagine sites as living systems and engage in collaborative design practices. Focusing on a local, seemingly vacant lot, we will investigate the site’s temporal and spatial dynamics—tracing its layers of interaction and exploring how elements and materials influence its identity. By reframing traditional notions of scale and boundaries, we will uncover the opportunities of co-authorship amongst the environments, forces and creatures.The Wiesner Gallery will act as a hub for both a workshop and exhibition space. Each day, participants will gather in the gallery to experiment with prototypes, drawings, and multimedia techniques. Collaboration and play will guide the approach, creating an open and exploratory environment where games facilitate dialogue and negotiation. This collective exploration will reveal the site’s interconnected urban and architectural layers from the perspectives of diverse actors. The workshop will culminate in a public exhibition at the end of January, showcasing our collective discoveries.The workshop will take place daily at the Wiesner Gallery at MIT. It will culminate in an exhibition, likely Jan-31-Feb 2. Students should bring their laptops to all sessions.

These are trainings in basic laboratory skills and techniques for mammalian cell culture, transfection, and optical anaysis of mammalian cells. These modules are Level 1 and Level 2 trainings, prior experience required. (See Basic Lab Skills)The Credential Certification program in the Huang-Hobbs BioMaker Space offers participants an opportunity to learn, practice, and demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of biological laboratory techniques. Upon successful completion of the assessment, particpants are awarded a certificate of completion for the credential.Credential modules are open to all users in the MIT community who have completed the required pre-requisite trainings. All particiants must be added to the "biomakerspace" training group and complete clearance form and online trainings. Email jbuck@mit.edu to be added to the training group and for additional information about this program. Limited to 12 participants. To register, please visit http://tinyurl.com/HHBMS-IAP2025.In this series of trainings, participants will review the theory and practice of following credential modules:1) Mammalian Cell Culture - Inoculation (Tuesday 1/21) 2) Mammalian Cell Culture - Media Changing & Inverted Microscope Use (Wednesday 1/22) 3) Mammalian Cell Culture - Passaging & Cell Counting (Thursday 1/23) 4) Mammalian Cell Culture - Media Changing (Friday 1/24) 5) Mammalian Transfection - Seeding Plates (Monday 1/27) 6) Mammalian Transfection - Transfection (Tueday 1/28) 7) Fluorescent Microscopy (Wednesday 1/29) 8) Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) (Thursday 1/30) 9) Fluorescent Microscopy, FACS & Conclusions (Friday 1/31)Pre-Requisite Trainings: Basic Laboratory Skills Modules: 1) Huang-Hobbs BioMaker Space Lab Specific Training 2) Laboratory Math and Making Solutions 3) Basic Micropipette Use 4) Microbiological Culture and Sterile Technique

Step inside MIT.nano's fab to create a 1x1 inch chip with your favorite image to take home with you! We will work inside the MIT.nano cleanroom: learn how to grow up, understand the different fab tools, and use the tools to pattern a 50nm thin layer of aluminum with your design. At the end, we will separate out the chips from the wafer, and you get a chance to put your chip in a small frame or carrier to take with you.

Games and Machine Learning – an MIT Independent Activities Period offeringThis course will combine a series of lectures and hackathon-style projects, the latter chosen from a list of examples or otherwise devised, to introduce students to game creation, current game-related research and an exploration of the technology, the art and the fun of video games.Sony Interactive Entertainment : The Nexus of Games and AIDescription: Computers and gaming have grown up together. Since Bertie the Brain learned to play Tic Tac Toe in 1950, computers have hosted, played, and designed increasingly sophisticated games as they have grown in power. For every computer science paper on the arXiv – from computer vision to LLMs to personal immersion to cognitive science and general AI – there are a half dozen use cases you can name in the creation of video games. Furthermore, video games provide new worlds and synthetic data that test and stretch the capabilities of machine learning models – so the relationship is synergistic.This IAP course will give a brief, project-oriented survey of some of the main research topics that are integral to the development of the future of gaming. Lecturers from Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company behind PlayStation, as well as contributors from MIT and other universities will discuss topics such as player immersion, persuadable chatbots and realistic NPCs, sentiment analysis, rendering, asset and game creation with Unreal Engine and the use of LLMs for agent planning and the development of game tutor agents. Students will choose from a list of potential course projects (or invent their own) and the final week will include student project presentations.Audience: The course is targeted at those who have an interest in video games and machine learning. There are no specific prerequisites. We encourage students with an interest in art, psychology, writing, social impact and design of games to participate.Structure: Project-oriented course combined with lectures.Readings: Readings will be dependent upon project choice and be chosen from the literature.LecturesNumber of lectures: 9Lectures:1/6/25 Mike Stopa – The lay of the land: AI in video games1/8/25 Keri Carpenter – Creating a game concierge for our games1/10/25 D. Fox Harrell, MIT: Considering the Avatar Dream: Designing and Evaluating Characters and Avatars1/13/25 Gale Lucas, USC – Cognitive science and realistic NPCs1/15/25 Ram Barankin – Using GenAI to listen social media1/17/25 Erick Flores – Neural methods to improve real time game streaming1/22/25 Logan Olson, Haven Studios – “0-to-1” game development with Generative ML1/24/25 TBD1/27/25 Final projects + TBDProject examples – students will be asked to complete a hackathon-style project for the class. The topic is completely open although several categories of projects will be suggested by our lecturers – who can then provide guidance in executing the projects. These projects do not need to be computational. Pure artistic projects designing characters, for example, would be welcome.Unreal Engine (or Unity) simple game creation (Mike)Cognitive Science and Realistic NPCs (Gale)Creating Novel Game Mechanics with LLMs (Logan)Video Enhancement, Video Quality Measurement or Codec tuning using Machine Learning (Erick)AI Generated Gamer Concierge  (Keri)A Generative AI-Powered Sentiment and Insights Tool for Social Listening (Ram)

Hosted by E14 Fund and MAS, this engaging workshop will bring together MIT founders to share their experiences and insights on transitioning from scientists and engineers to entrepreneurs. The workshop is designed to guide you through the entrepreneurial process, encourage meaningful connections with both experienced and budding founders, and build a supportive community of peers at various stages of their startup journey.Space is limited and applications to join are due by December 6.Sign up: https://beyondthelab.mit.edu/iapAbout the E14 Fund: The E14 Fund is the MIT-affiliated early-stage venture fund. Born at the MIT Media Lab, E14’s mission is to serve the MIT community and invest in scalable, deep-tech startups. E14 donates a significant portion of profits to MIT.

Ten minutes for your mind@2:50 every day at 2:50 pm in multiple time zones:Europa@2:50, EET, Athens, Helsinki (UTC+2) (7:50 am EST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88298032734Atlantica@2:50, EST, New York, Toronto (UTC-4) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85349851047Pacifica@2:50, PST, Los Angeles, Vancouver (UTC=7) (5:50 pm EST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85743543699Almost everything works better again if you unplug it for a bit, including your mind. Stop by and unplug. Get the benefits of mindfulness without the fuss.@2:50 meets at the same time every single day for ten minutes of quiet together.No pre-requisite, no registration needed.Visit the website to view all @2:50 time zones each day.at250.org or at250.mit.edu

Speaker - Jennifer Jackson

MIT Schwarzman College of Computing SERC group leaders will be hosting a series of workshops throughout the January Independent Activities Period to teach students the skill of writing a technology impact paper and to offer help and advice on creating such a paper for those interested in applying for the Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize.These workshops will provide general information on the competition, guidelines on how to write this kind of paper, and opportunities to discuss project ideas. Workshop slots are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up for a session here.

Speaker: Lenny Taelman (University of Amsterdam)Title: Intro to derived deformation

Winning SBIR Grants:“Free” Government Funding for your Technology Product &/or StartupMIT IAP 2025 OfferingMon Jan 27 & Wed Jan 29 2025, 4-5:30pm, 10-250Register Here: https://tiny.cc/mitsbirregRaise anywhere from $150k to $2M of “free” federal government funding for your startupHow to write winning SBIR proposals (of 100 proposals only 5-10 are typically accepted)The biggest US Government agencies are mandated to fund small businesses and startups developing needed technologies with roughly $4 Billion per year.This is “free” funding to commercialize your deep technology research – meaning you don’t sell shares and it’s not a loan but you do have to deliver towards your promises, so it’s not a gift.Instructor: Steve Derezinski, sjd@mit.edu, steve.derezinski@alum.mit.eduMIT S.B. Mechanical engineering and Sloan MBA alumWinner of $23M+ SBIR+other federal awards from NSF, NASA, DOE, ARPA-ECo-founder of multiple tech startups & GeorgiaTech’s VentureLabMonday Jan 27, Day 1: Overview, Admin, Key DetailsOverview of SBIR plus STTRReview of the 11 agencies who fund SBIR/STTR:DOD, NIH, DOE, NSF, EPA, NASA, USDA, ED, DOC, DOT, DHSAdmin stuff -- boring but really criticalIs it really free? Comparing Non-recourse funding versus VC or Debt financingWednesday Jan 29, Day 2: Winning StrategiesTiming and calendar managementApplying while in schoolGenerative AI enhancementsReview process details or “what happens after I press submit?”Advanced tips to ensure success… including repeat future winsWho is this for?Current or graduated Students or MIT AffiliatesUndergrad, Grad, MBA, MEng, PhD, Post-Doc, Staff, etc.Anyone seeking funding for their technology-based product or companyPrerequisites: Watch Ben Schrag’s Intro to SBIR from NSF – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePUxtd2TjM – a good overview of SBIR / STTRs from NSF, which runs one of the best SBIR programs.

Learn the basics of CRISPR technology in this introductory hands-on workshop in the Huang-Hobbs BioMaker Space. In this three-hour single-session workshop, participants will learn basic theory of CRISPR-Cas9 system, learn to design guide RNA sequences, and practice the techniques to disrupt gene function of LacZ in E. coli to induce changes of colors in colonies. Open to all experience levels, assumes no prior wet lab experience. Please pick one session. Limited to 20 participants per session. For additional information, please email jbuck@mit.edu. To register, please visit http://tinyurl.com/HHBMS-IAP2025.

Speaker - James Okun

Este taller es para estudiantes interesadxs en explorar diferentes formas de escribir un diario personal y el beneficio de hacerlo con atencion plena (mindfullness).El objetivo de este taller es motivar a lxs estudiantes a escribir un diario personal incorporando exepriencias vitales y narrativas. El taller incluye temas vinculados a gratitud, naturaleza, disfrute, juegos y sueños.El taller es en español. Estudiantes con o sin experiencia en escritura de diario personal y/o atención plena (mindfullness) son bienvenidxs.Para registrarse enviar un email a Jaime Matorras: jmatorras@med.mit.edu

For Researchers Interested in Commercializing their New TechnologyExplore taking your new technology to the marketplace Get entrepreneurial training, support to identify customers Learn how to apply for $50,000 from the NSFIncrease your chances of receiving an SBIR/STTR awardClick here for more details

Every Wednesday night you are invited to come to The Table for peaceful Christian worship in the Chapel at 5:15 pm and dinner in the Main Dining Room of W11 at 6:30 pm.We worship with beautiful songs, open conversation about the Scriptures, prayers and a simple sharing of communion around the altar. Then we enjoy dinner together and good company together. Whether you come every week or just drop by once in a while, there is a caring community for you at the Table.You are truly welcome to come as you are: undergrad, grad, or post-doc; sure of your faith or wondering what it is all about; gay, straight, bi, trans*, questioning. Please join us for no-pressure worship and fellowship.Hosted by the Lutheran Epsicopal Ministry @ MIT. For more information, or to verify gathering times during holiday and vacation periods, please contact chaplains Andrew Heisen (heisen@mit.edu) and Kevin Vetiac (kvet246@mit.edu).

Many people think gentle yoga is too easy and not an effective form of fitness. Think again! You can practice yoga in ways that are both active and gentle at the same time.Come enjoy the many known benefits of yoga through:the practice of active yet gentle, rhythmic movementheld yoga poses and vinyasa flow (moving from pose to pose via the breath)pranayam (breath work)relaxation and meditationIn this well-rounded class, Celeste LeMieux, 500 hr certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor, provides clear instructions and modifications, making it accessible and beneficial to practitioners of all ages and stages of yoga practice and life.You will leave class feeling both stretched and strengthened while also feeling more calm and relaxed. This class is the perfect mid-week reset for body and mind. Come see how less really can be more!Registration is required on our wellness class website. If you do not already have an account on this website, you'll need to create one. This is fee-based class and open to the entire MIT community.

Refuge @ MIT. Join our weekly gathering for Christian students and seekers as we have worship, prayer and Bible study each Wednesday evening. We share some food and enjoy an in depth Bible study, open to all students at MIT.

The MIT wrestling club holds practices in the du Pont Wrestling Room on weeknights 5:30-7pm. All levels of experience welcome! Whether you're looking to learn how to grapple or just want to get in a good workout, wrestling practice is a good time to learn technique, get in some live goes, and have fun with a great group of people.Current schedule is: structured practice MTRF, open mats W, and technique sessions 9-10:30am on Saturday. For more information, contact wrestling-officers@mit.edu.

Advanced Machining will go over detailed and in-depth knowledge related to practical subtractive manufacturing (machining material away rather than additive manufacturing like 3D printing). For each session, the first half will be a lecture that goes into all the theory and practical details of machining and the second half will be given by a guest lecturer with many years of machining experience. I would recommend taking this course if you want to work at a company like SpaceX, Tesla, Anduril, Apple, or any other company where you will be designing hardware products that will be mass-manufactured. The fact of the matter is that if you don't know how to make it yourself you really don't know how to design it properly (and you will learn this the hard way if you ignore this advice). This class will take you from inexperienced novice to advanced machinist, at least in theory, and will give you the tools that you need to continue your hands-on learning journey after the class is over. All I need is your eagerness to learn and I will empower you with the rest :) This class will be taught by me (Randall Briggs), an alum from course 2, who currently works in the field of robotics and has been machining for many years.

The East New England chapter of the Vertical Flight Society is hosting a dinner meeting and Prof. John Hansman will provide a talk on Hybrid eSTOL, providing the flight path of Hybrid Electric Ultra eSTOL from capstone class to Electra.aero​.Meet and network with industry professionals and meet Prof Hansman.MIT Building NE45 is located at 300 Technology Sq in Cambridge MA.

This six-week course offers soon-to-be parents full evidence-based information about birth and the ability to learn coping techniques such as relaxation, breathing, position practice, and massage. You will have the opportunity to learn about each of these as well as gain hands-on practice.Classes will cover choices in the hospital and how to understand risk reduction for both mother and baby.This class focuses on vaginal birth but also covers what happens in a C-section in case one is needed.Partners are encouraged to attend and will leave with a "toolbox" of support techniques. Handouts are provided.A small introduction to breastfeeding and early post-partum are covered in this course.One registration is good for both the mother and 1 support person.The ideal time to take this course is during the late 2nd trimester to early 3rd trimester.Registration is required on our wellness class website. If you do not already have an account on this website, you'll need to create one. This is a fee-based class and open to the entire MIT community.

Interested in medical interpreting? Fluent in Spanish or Chinese? Apply by Dec. 4 for this 4-week intensive IAP medical interpreting virtual course that will train you to become a qualified medical interpreter and prepare you for national certification exams. Offered by CAPD Prehealth Advising. https://capd.mit.edu/iap-medical-interpreting-course/

Have you ever wanted to create shiny, durable, waterproof jewelry of your own design? Then this workshop is for you! Use a laser engraver to create designs, images, or words on metal charms, and then pick your favorite chains and clasps to assemble them into necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or whatever else your heart desires! No experience required, very beginner-friendly!This is a drop-in, first-come first-serve event.

Gridspace presents a lecture series on the fundamentals of constructing sound with machines, with weekly guest speakers. Find out more at https://iap.gridspace.comABOUT US: Gridspace is a speech and language technology company that teaches machines to listen and speak. We process and automate billions of minutes of speech data per year.SCHEDULE: Lectures every Monday, Wednesday and alternate Thursday/Fridays (w/ special guests and performances). Streamed live and in-person in our office in LA.