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

HEET is collaborating with the MIT ESI, Open Learning, and Sloan School of Management to offer a two-day course, titled "Geothermal Energy Networks: Transforming our Thermal Energy System," during the Independent Activities Period (IAP).The goal of this course is to provide participants with an overview of how geothermal networks can lead the transformation of our thermal system towards a clean renewable energy. It will bring together diverse experts and stakeholders to cover the following topics as they relate to geothermal energy networks (GENs): framing the climate change and energy challenge; workforce, health and environmental justice; policy innovations; expansion at city and societal scale; design principles; drilling, construction and commissioning; modeling of GENs and impacts on the electric grids; and case studies.BackgroundEmissions from buildings contribute significantly to climate change, accounting for approximately 26% global energy-related emissions. In Massachusetts, building emissions account for 35% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, with most of these emissions coming from space and water heating systems that rely on natural gas as the primary fuel source.Shallow geothermal energy offers a largely untapped baseload, non-intermittent, stable renewable energy that can be used for heating and cooling. Geothermal networks, defined as interconnected ground-source heat pump systems, harness this energy as a clean renewable alternative to fossil fuels. These geothermal networks present an equitable and scalable approach with the potential to decarbonize entire neighborhoods.Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geothermal-energy-networks-transforming-our-thermal-energy-system-tickets-1142912625429?aff=oddtdtcreator

Theoretical and applied cryptographers will come together with systems security researchers in a day-long event with exciting presentations in cryptography, security, and their intersection. This session will provide an invaluable opportunity for faculty and students to gain exposure to current developments in the fields of cryptography and computer security, and to foster collaboration across disciplines.Keynote presentations will include an overview of exciting developments in crypto and security with an emphasis on synergistic efforts, and an overview of challenges and opportunities in AI security. Leading cryptographers from various institutions will present advances in applied and theoretical cryptography, and MIT students will present short talks on their recent work.

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!

Help us design and host a Tech-Enhanced Student Assembly during IAP!Are you fascinated by the opportunity to explore how AI might weave into civic and political life? Do you want to learn how groups make decisions collectively on difficult topics?➡️ APPLY HERE ⬅️Join our team at the MIT Center for Constructive Communication during IAP to implement a Tech-Enhanced Student Assembly as a model for reimagining constructive communication and democratic deliberation for –and with– students at MIT.What are we discussing this year? MIT's commitment to achieving a zero-carbon campus by 2050, with an interim goal of net-zero emissions by 2026, underscores the urgency of implementing effective sustainability initiatives. What policies or initiatives should MIT prioritize to enhance campus sustainability and meet its climate commitments? The assembly aims to generate actionable recommendations that position MIT as a leader in campus sustainability and serve as a model for other institutions.What is a Student Assembly? This Model Student Assembly (similar to Model UN) will offer a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity for MIT students to learn about and deliberate through a simulation of a Tech-Enhanced Student Assembly. Through this experience, participating MIT students will immerse themselves in ancient and proven facilitation and deliberation practices, understand the benefits of institutionalizing them, and explore how technology can connect Assemblies to broader public engagement. All sessions will be recorded to allow for our team to analyze the quality of the deliberation and understand how technology can support and enhance deliberative practices.A participant from our 2024 Student Assembly shared: “I was pleased and impressed with the quality of the discussions and recommendations. I didn’t have any particular expectation around the quality of the recommendations we’d write at the start of the IAP but rather was interested in the migration from polarity to wholeness and respect for other human beings and their unique experiences, and the positive outcomes that result from groups working from the same (curated/valid/thoughtful) information set.”More about Citizens’ Assemblies: A Citizens’ Assembly is a group of people selected by sortition (lottery) who are broadly representative of a community. They spend significant time learning about a topic and then collaborating through facilitated deliberation to find common ground and form collective recommendations for policy makers, decision makers, and the community. Citizens’ Assemblies have convened (and influenced policy changes) on a number of topics including end-of-life care, biodiversity, and climate change amongst many other diverse topics.You can read more about CCC’s work on Tech-Enhanced Deliberative Assemblies as well as about the Student Assembly we implemented during IAP 2024.UROP tasks will include:Join a one hour pre-event conversation on the topic of the AssemblyReceive training in how to host inclusive conversations and facilitating deliberation amongst students with diverging opinionsRespond to surveys pre, during and after the assemblyAttending all 3 full days of the Student Assembly, either as a participant or a facilitator (meals included!)Assist the research team to mic up and record the voices of all participants during the assembly as well as diarizing these after the eventDebrief the event to provide feedback on survey tools and the utility of AI for enhancing the deliberation processWe will be recruiting 20 UROPs for IAP. UROP obligations will last for 3 weeks between January 14-31 for 10-15 hours a week; UROPs must commit to three full in-person days on January 23 and 24 as well as January 30 for the actual Student Assembly which will take place at the MIT Media Lab; other work can be done remotely for approximately 10-15 hours/week. All UROPs are paid $16/hour.Questions? Email mrna@media.mit.edu

Theoretical and applied cryptographers will come together with systems security researchers in a day-long event with exciting presentations in crypto, security, and their intersection. This session will provide an invaluable opportunity for faculty and students to gain exposure to current developments in the fields of cryptography and computer security, and to foster collaboration across disciplines.Keynote presentations will include an overview of exciting developments in crypto and security with an emphasis on synergistic efforts, and an overview of challenges and opportunities in AI security. MIT students will present short talks on recent advances in applied and theoretical cryptography. In the afternoon, leading cryptographers from various institutions will present their recent work.

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.

The subMIT computing facility is a login pool that is designed to provide access to the basic research computing resources of the physics department and beyond.This one day workshop will provide an overview and updates on the status and plans for the system and project, as well as topical presentations on a range of use cases.Additionally, there will be tutorial sessions. Bring your laptop to run the examples in real-time or just sit back and listen to the accompanying instructional talk.More information on the subMIT project as well as user documentation is available at https://submit.mit.eduThe agenda & details can be found here: https://indico.mit.edu/event/1276/Refreshments will be provided during coffee breaks!

The use of metal-based 3D printing is revolutionizing industries by enabling the production of complex, high-performance components. Its adoption is increasing in aerospace, health care, and energy sectors, where it’s valued for its ability to reduce lead times, minimize material waste, and offer unparalleled design flexibility. However, challenges such as high production costs and limited scalability for mass manufacturing still hinder broader adoption. Kai Narita, CEO of additive manufacturing startup 3D Architech, will discuss startup-driven solutions that are emerging to address these barriers and unlock the full potential of metal additive manufacturing in the coming years.Register for this MIT Horizon webinar.This live event is part of a series in partnership with MIT Startup Exchange.

Come for bagels, come for community, come to affirm that there is more love out there than hate.We'll share resources and a light breakfast togetherThis brunch is geared toward MIT staff in the LBGTQ+ employee resource group!Register here

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.

Computer programs are (usually) written with a certain purpose in mind, but they can sometimes be made to do different things or they may try to hide their true purpose. Software reverse engineering (RE) is the process of discovering the undocumented internals of computer programs. RE is a critical activity in uncovering security issues and finding a program’s vulnerabilities. The RE skills we’ll introduce in the course are used anywhere that computer programs and information need to be protected: infrastructure, finance, government, etc... RE is also fun and challenging! This course will provide a brief, hands-on, immersive introduction to RE. We’ll cover topics such as disassembly, decompilation, instrumentation, and emulator-based analysis. You’ll even hear about what that cute little panda in the top-right corner is all about. Days 1-3 will introduce topics and Day 4 will include a variety of open-ended challenges.Dates: Jan 21, 23, 28, and 30Time: 10 AM - 2 PM (lunch break in middle)Location: MIT Beaver Works - 300 technology square suite 2Registration Opens: November 25, 2024To register email: Tim Leek: tleek@ll.mit.edu. Enrolment Limit 30 students.Prereq: Students are expected to have some familiarity with programming, the Linux command line, and enjoy problem solving. No previous reverse engineering or computer security experience is expected.

Interested in submitting a short film for the “MIT in 3:00” competition, but want to learn more about filmmaking?Join documentary filmmaker Kira Akerman for a 1-day workshop during IAP! It will be offered twice — 10am-5pm on January 28 and 30.Find full information on the workshop and registration at cmsw.mit.edu.

Jeffrey Yang, Harvard University

Registration is now open!Before the start of each semester, TLL offers a series of workshops for TAs and teacher trainees to help them prepare for the roles and responsibilities of the position of teaching at MIT. Topics include giving feedback, presenting a class session, and facilitating office hours, among other practical subjects related to teaching. Please visit our Teaching Days page to view the full schedule and location for each of the workshops . Register via CanvasPlease note that the IAP 2025 Teaching Days schedule includes a mix of in-person and online sessions.

Technology is vital for local governments to deliver services. But when technologists "move fast and break things" in the public sector, systems fail and people suffer. Governments must responsibly innovate and integrate ideas from the private sector, while safeguarding the public interest. This seminar examines how local governments and the tech sector can collaborate to best serve their short and long-term shared goals.

“We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.” This can also be said of the rules and technologies we construct for human cooperation, which allows for enterprise from the subtly complex (can a single person make a pencil?), to the brashly grandiose (space flight!). In return, our scaled social and political systems shape our behavior for better or worse.In this IAP activity, we will read works from computer science, sociology, and political theory to explore the mechanisms of large scale cooperative behavior. The structure of the seminar is simple: read and discuss. We will also cover applied topics such as social networks, crypto, identity, and the nascent philosophy of digital pluralism.The seminar will be heavy on reading, discussion, and participation (~10 hours / wk including class time). Please commit to attending as many in-person meetings as possible. If there is sufficient demand we may open up a Zoom option. Please register here.Instructor: Wes Chow (wesc@media.mit.edu, MIT Center for Constructive Communication)

This will be a panel discussion with Benjamin Linville-Engler, Deputy Director and Chief Investment Strategist at MassTech (the state’s Massachusetts Technology Collaborative) and Ben Armstrong, Executive Director of MIT’s Industrial Performance Center and Research Scientist at MIT whose research studies how workers adapt to technological change. They will discuss the advances to manufacturing and how US state and federal policies have developed to support manufacturing.

Antentor Hinton Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

What is CERT? CERT training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. With training and practice, and by working as a team, you will be able to protect yourself and maximize your capability to help for the greatest number of people after a disaster.CERT Training Covers:Disaster PreparationEmergency Operations Organizational StructureDisaster Medical OperationsDisaster PsychologyFire SafetyLight Search and RescueTerrorism and CERT ResponseAt the conclusion of the 20 hours of training, scheduled in eight class sessions, most of them in-person, a new MIT CERT member will be active to participate in emergency response and large-scale activities hosted on campus as a part of MIT's emergency operations.

Worker placement games are beloved by modern board gamers. The act of placing cubes or discs in factories or farms to increase production and profit is certainly enticing, but what do the workers want? Are they being played? What if we instead make games that promote worker rights? In this two-day workshop, we explore the role of workers in boardgames through play and presentations.Morningside Academy for Design and MIT Game Lab invite you to a Two-Day Workshop . Each day begins with a presentation followed by playing of games curated by the MIT Game Lab. On Thursday, Mikael Jakobsson from MIT Game Lab will talk about workers in board games from a critical design perspective. On Friday, John du Bois, the designer of the game Striking Flint will talk about why and how he makes games. Come and play with us!Thursday Jan 30 12-1pm Presentation Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/91287160644 Mikael Jakobsson "Playing Workers – The Mechanics and Politics of Worker Representation in Board Games" 1-5pm Gameplay with John Du Bois and the MIT Game LabFriday Jan 31 10-11am Presentation Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92614107506 A Conversation with John Du Bois hosted by Mikael Jakobsson 11am-5pm Gameplay with John Du Bois and the MIT Game LabMore information about the presentations: https://gamelab.mit.edu/iap-2025-playing-workers-the-mechanics-and-politics-of-worker-representation-in-board-games/

In this 90-minute briefing, attorneys from the MIT Office of the General Counsel will provide an overview of some of the main corporate formation and licensing topics relevant to launching your own startup. Aspiring entrepreneurs will get an introduction to some of the liability, tax, financing, and intellectual property issues that are important to address when starting a new venture. Topics will cover the following: 1. Corporation vs. LLC 2. Funding a Startup 3. Basic Licensing Models 4. Important Guidelines for Startups Utilizing MIT IP 5. Community Resources 6. Q&APresenters: Matt Fucci and Claire Schneider

MIT Free English Class is for international students, sholars, spouses. Twenty seven years ago we created a community to welcome the nations to MIT and assist with language and friendship. Join our Tuesday/Thursday conversation classes around tables inside W11-190.

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.)

*** NO MEETING JAN 23 DUE TO ILLNESS ***This will be an informal weekly discussion group for IAP featuring presentations by myself (Dan Gibson), book and article recommendations relevant to brain theory, and discussions of the topics raised. I distinguish "brain theory" from "theoretical neuroscience" on the basis that the former is about the mechanisms that enable the integrated functioning of the brain as an organ, whereas the latter tends to be mathematical and technical in nature (e.g. point process statistics, neural response decoding, clustering methods, etc.). A basic general knowledge of neuroscience will be assumed. I have reserved the 6th Floor MIBR Seminar Room, 46-6199, which can accommodate 20 people. Please email me if you are interested, to help me estimate the group size. So far (as of Jan. 3) we have about 10 people, so there should be room for a few last minute drop-ins.

Learn about introductory methods of bookbinding in this 2-day workshop! In this course, we will learn how to make books using both Japanese stab binding and long stitch techniques, as well as get a general overview of common bookmaking practices. At the end of this, you will walk away with at least 2 books handmade by you! No previous bookbinding experience is needed, and all supplies will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Please note: we will be working with leather for this workshop.

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.

Do you love cute stuffed animals and crochet? Want to learn a new skill over IAP? Sign up for a 3-day crochet workshop and learn to crochet your own amigurumi duck keychain! No crochet experience necessary. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. This workshop will teach you everything you need to know to make your own amigurumi duck keychain; materials will be provided. You’ll learn to single crochet in the round, change yarn colors, name your new stuffed best friend, and more. Workshops will include instruction and time to crochet; each workshop will cover a different aspect of the project, from learning the basics of crochet to creating the duck keychain.This workshop with run in two sections, each meeting three times:Section 1: Tues (1/21), Wed (1/23), Sat (1/25) 2-4 PM Section 2: Tues (1/28), Wed (1/30), Sat (2/1) 2-4 PMSpots are limited to 20 and will be decided by lottery if necessary. Register by 5pm on Saturday, January 11.

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

Course Description As part of the Practical Computational Thinking IAP course series, the focus of this workshop is to introduce the role of High Performance Computing (HPC, aka supercomputing) in research. We will discuss the fields where HPC is used and provide concrete examples where we describe the strategies used to scale applications to hundreds of processors. Students will learn when to scale from their laptops to HPC, what challenges that introduces, and how to address those challenges with efficient HPC workflows. Engaging will be used for hands-on examples using C/C++, Julia, Matlab, and/or Python. We will also demonstrate applications using other computing resources on campus, such as the Satori and SuperCloud clusters. Students should bring an existing research problem/application that they would like to scale as a project.For more information about this course, including how to sign up, please see the ORCD IAP Classes Page.

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.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED.In this 2 session course, learn the basics of the Internet of Things (IoT) and build an Internet-enabled environmental sensor with a web dashboard. No prior programming or electronics experience is required, but you will need to bring a laptop.The course will cover the following:Basics of IoT: what it is, how is it used, and security and privacy concerns.Using Adafruit IO: Adafruit IO is a platform for IoT projects used to communicate, store data, and display dashboards.An Introduction to CircuitPython: CircuitPython is a version of the popular Python programming language designed for use on microcontrollers.An Introduction to Microcontrollers and I2C: The course will be using an Adafruit Feather microcontroller and a sensor connected via the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) protocol, enabling fast solder-free prototyping.This is a 2 session workshop. Enrollment is limited and registration is required.Dates & Location:Thursday January 23rd from 2:30 - 5:30pm, Room N52-399 Thursday January 30th from 2:30 - 5:30pm, Room N52-399

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: Lenny Taelman (University of Amsterdam)Title: Application to deformations of Calabi—Yau’s

Speaker - James Okun

Curious about turning your groundbreaking research into a startup? Join us at the MIT Media Lab for an engaging discussion on the transition from academia to entrepreneurship.Hear from E14 Founders Bassam Chaptini (Avantos AI), Mariana Matus (Biobot Analytics), and Rohan Puri (Stable Auto) as they share their journeys and offer practical advice on building and leading a startup team—from selecting co-founders to making those critical first hires.After the panel, continue the conversation at Flat Top Johnny's from 5-7 PM for a relaxed mixer with pool, drinks, and great company. RSVP here.We look forward to seeing you there!Hosted by E14 Fund and MAS

Amgen-MIT Lectures in Organic Chemistry with Professor Andy Thomas (Texas A&M University) and Kumiko Yamamoto (Amgen)Thomas Title: Directed Reaction Discovery: Accessing the Remote Synthetic LandscapeYamamoto Title: Case Studies of Metrics Driven Process Development

Speaker: Anna Seigal (Harvard)Title: Factorizing dataAbstract:We can find structure in data by factorizing it into building blocks, which should be interpretable for the context at hand. A classical example is principal component analysis (PCA), which uses the eigendecomposition of the covariance matrix to find axes of variation in a dataset. Starting from PCA, I will discuss the matrix and tensor decompositions that arise when factorizing data, and the linear and multilinear algebra that underpins their theoretical properties. We will see examples from causal inference, dimensionality reduction, and signatures of paths.Goldsmith 226, 4:15pm. Preceded by refreshments at 4pm in the common room.

Feeling unsure about how to tackle common interview questions or highlight your strengths during an interview? Join CAPD for a virtual workshop focused on building your interviewing skills. This flash presentation will cover the essentials of preparing for interviews, including strategies for answering behavioral questions and showcasing your unique experiences. Gain confidence and practice your skills with CAPD’s interviewing resources (https://capd.mit.edu/channels/interview/).This workshop is exclusively for first-year and sophomore undergraduate students—don’t miss the chance to make a lasting impression in your next interview!Please register for this event on Handshake.

Join the MIT PKG Public Service Center and the MIT Women's League us as we wrap up IAP with a screening of Little Women (2019) where we keep the lights up and bring our crafting projects to work while we watch! Professor Heather Paxson will introduce our screening with remarks on women's crafting and work through history.This event is free and open to the MIT Community. Please register to attend.Popcorn will be provided!5:00pm Doors Open5:45pm Open remarks from Professor Heather Paxson6:00pm Movie begins8:30pm Event ends.More about the event:Why Women’s League & PKG Center? The namesake of the PKG Center, Priscilla King Gray, taught crewel embroidery at MIT from 1978 to 2007. The group she founded continues to this day, as the MIT Women’s League Fiber Crafts Group. Crafting has been critical in the history of women’s socioeconomic mobility and remains well aligned with MIT’s mens et manus motto.If you are looking to learn new fiber arts skills this winter prior to this stitch-along opportunity, sign up for one of the data-driven embroidery workshops over IAP sponsored by the MIT PKG Public Service Center.Thank you to our sponsors: MindHandHeart, MIT Women's League and MIT PKG Public Service Center.

Iyengar yoga is Hatha yoga as taught by BKS Iyengar and develops strength, coordination, and flexibility of the body and mind. Participants learn how to use their embodiment as an anchor - a way to find peace and inner strength during busy and difficult times.Every class is different with a unique sequence based on the theme of the class and the needs of the students. Using physical alignment as a starting point, Iyengar yoga encourages the spread of intelligence throughout the body, the growth of self awareness and asana as a form of meditation.As a Certified Iyengar Teacher (CIYT) who has studied with renown teachers Patricia Walden and Jarvis Chen for over 16 years, Ashley uses individual pose modifications, props, and hands-on adjustments to support participants of all body types, ages and abilities.Iyengar yoga is truly for everyone - stiff bodies welcome!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.

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.

Are you curious about what legal career options there are for people with STEM backgrounds? You may have heard about patent law, but did you know there are also many other options, including corporate deal-making, regulatory policy, ethics, and even civil rights? Join us for a discussion with Boston-area lawyers to hear about the many ways that a STEM background can be useful in the legal field.Panelists include:Tani Chen, MS 1995 - Chemical Engineering; Sc.D 1999Shareholder at Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.Anant Saraswat, BS 2002 – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; MEng 2003Counsel at Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.Robert Maldonado, BS 1990 – Mechanical EngineeringCounsel at Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.Janice Vatland, BS 1995 – Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences; MS 1996; Ph.D 2001, Toxicology and EpidemiologyShareholder at Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.Achal Oza, BS 2003 EECS; MS 2006 Computer Systems Engineering; JD 2009Counsel, Goodwin Procter LLPThis CAPD event is organized in collaboration with the Boston IP Law Association's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. This event is open to MIT undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and alumni. Please register for this event on Handshake.

Design is a process to reach consensus. In this hybrid workshop-seminar, we will explore the core mindsets and techniques for modeling, simulating, and analyzing collaborative decision-making in conceptual or real-world design challenges. Students are encouraged to bring their own case studies and perspectives on any design topic. We will introduce a mindset of modeling and simulation, cover beginner-friendly technical topics including operation research, (algorithmic) game theory, system dynamics, and multi-AI agent learning. We will be focusing on leveraging your designer mindset, not jargon, so no prior technical experience is required.Hybrid class, in-person attendance is welcomed! Students should bring laptop. Time negotiable under survey.

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.

Learn trendy rug-tufting! Make a decorative rug or cool wall art. No experience neccessary.Space is limited - participants will be chosen by lottery. Registration closes at 5pm on Jan 24.This workshop consists of two work sessions - first is tufting, and second is finishing. Choose to tuft on the 28th 6-8pm or the 30th 6-8pm. Everyone meets together on the 31st 3-6pm to do finishing steps and take their rugs home.

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/

Bluewater Sailing Winter Sessions are an opportunity to dive into practical topics related to big-boat sailing and, if you're new, to get familiar with MIT's Bluewater sailing program. Feel free to pick and choose classes that are of interest or relevant to you. The schedule is as follows:January 7 (Tuesday): Introduction to Bluewater Sailing at MITJanuary 9 (Thursday): Bluewater sailing beyond MITJanuary 14 (Tuesday): Safety and EmergenciesJanuary 16 (Thursday): WeatherJanuary 21 (Tuesday): KnotsJanuary 23 (Thursday): Splicing and Soft ShacklesJanuary 28 (Tuesday): Basic ChartworkJanuary 30 (Thursday): RacingFollow the links in the list above for more information individual sessions. Please pre-register for the sessions on knots, splicing, and chartwork; for everything else, just show up!

Middle Eastern Ensemble Garo Saraydarian, Director Killian Hall, MITCome hear music from the Arabic, Turkish, Greek, and Klezmer traditions!Please note that this event is in-person only and will not be livestreamed.

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-upPrereq: noneClass Schedule: Thursdays, 8pm - 10pm. Optional review of previous classes from 7:30pm - 8pm.Week 1 - 1/9Week 2 - 1/16Week 3 - 1/23Week 4 - 1/30 (upcoming classs)Note: This is week 4 of a four-week series. Please do not attend without completing the previous weeks.In choreographed ballroom dance, also called round dancing, you learn a collection of figures that you can dance in varying combinations. A cuer will tell you which figure is next as the dance proceeds, so you can dance choreographed routines that fit the music perfectly, without any need to memorize choreography. The waltz figures and technique you learn in this class will enable you to dance waltz lead/follow (without a cuer) at social dances. This is a social dance; emphasis is on getting out on the floor and having fun, not on perfect technique. As in any form of ballroom dance, there are lead and follow roles. Gender has nothing to do with which role you learn; start with whichever seems like more fun. No partner or prior dance experience needed; we will rotate partners frequently.See this link for an example of a fun dance we will learn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjD9H5XpIRw