The Bernard M. Gordon Learning Factory: Penn State's Hub for Hands-On Innovation
The Bernard M. Gordon Learning Factory at Penn State stands as a dynamic maker space, fostering innovation and providing hands-on learning experiences for students, faculty, and staff. Located in the state-of-the-art Engineering Design and Innovation Building, this facility is transforming engineering education by enabling students to turn ideas into tangible realities. The Learning Factory not only provides access to various tools and equipment but also coordinates the largest multi-disciplinary, client-sponsored capstone program in the world, impacting nearly 2,000 students annually.
A World of Resources
The Learning Factory provides access and training for a number of tools and skills, including 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking, and textiles. The resources are utilized by nearly 2,000 students per year for everything from Cornerstone (1st year) to Capstone (final year) courses to passion projects. To use the Learning Factory you must be a current Penn State student, staff, or faculty. You are free to work on anything you want (class-related or personal), as long as whatever you are making follows Learning Factory guidelines (no weapons or weapon looking objects, no high-risk parts, etc.). The Learning Factory is a place where Penn State students, faculty, and staff-particularly those from Engineering although all are welcome-can “learn by doing”. We provide the equipment and training for visitors to have amazing hands-on learning experiences.
Access and Training
Access to ANY facility requires completion of the basic training program and compliance with safety regulations. However, access to some equipment, such as the mills and welding booths, are only available to those that have completed specific certification courses. Many spaces (e.g., wood shop, metal shop, etc.) have additional training requirements. Several specific training programs grant access to particular equipment and facilities within the Learning Factory:
- 108 EDI: Access to this equipment requires completion of a training course. The training teaches students about metal, carbon fiber, and poly jet resin printing.
- 101 EDI: Access to this equipment requires completion of a training course.
- 001 EDI: Access to this equipment requires completion of a training course and demonstration of proficiency to a Learning Factory representative.
- Metal Shop: Access to this equipment requires completion of a training course and demonstration of proficiency to Metal Shop staff.
- 115 and 116 EDI: Access to this equipment requires completion of a training course.
- Woodshop: This training grants access to additional equipment in the Woodshop including Shaper, Joiner, Planar, and the new Tablesaw. To gain access to this equipment, you must complete a training course and demonstrate proficiency to a Learning Factory representative.
- 402 EDI (Dye Sublimation): This training allows access to the dye sublimation technology in 402 EDI used for t-shirt making. To gain access to this equipment, you must complete a training course and demonstrate proficiency to a Learning Factory representative.
- 402 EDI: This training provides access to the equipment in 402 EDI. To gain access to this equipment, you must complete a training course and demonstrate proficiency to a Learning Factory representative.
- 402 EDI (Tufting and Loom): This training allows access to the tufting and loom equipment in 402 EDI. To gain access to this equipment, you must complete a training course and demonstrate proficiency to a Learning Factory representative.
BUILD Nights
The Learning Factory fosters a vibrant community through events like #BUILDNights. These events provide students with opportunities to learn new skills, network, and create personalized projects. During a recent BUILD Night, students used laser engraving machines to create their own customized metallic business cards, adding a unique element to their networking skills. Over the last three semesters, more than 1,000 students (including over 200 already this semester) have participated in the BUILD Night activities that she coordinates. From tufting and weaving to laser cutting and 3D printing she has brought energy and fun to it all. Tonight she is preparing for almost 50 students to come and make their own radiation detectors!
Real-World Experience Through Capstone Projects
The Learning Factory coordinates the largest multi-disciplinary client-sponsored capstone program in the world. Teams of engineering students tackle real-world problems sponsored by internal and external clients, challenging students to apply the knowledge and tools acquired during their undergraduate education to help solve engineering problems. The Learning Factory provides a unique opportunity for industry sponsors to partner with Penn State to help educate the next generation of World Class Engineers using state-of-the-art facilities for design, prototyping, and fabrication. This project offers students the opportunity to get involved in sophisticated engineering design challenges.
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One example of a capstone project involves designing and building a vehicle for entry into the ASME human-powered vehicle competition. The capstone team is responsible for either significantly altering the previous year's vehicle platform or designing and building their own vehicle from the ground up. Deliverables include an operable vehicle, a description of the innovation over previous team's designs, and video demonstrations of several safety tests.
A Glimpse into the Capstone Experience
Gaining industry experience while still undergoing schooling seems to be limited to Co-Ops and internships acquired solely by the individual student. The closest typical schoolwork can offer is second hand knowledge at best. The Learning Factory provides all engineering students as close to a real job experience as one could while still in the academic field.
One student's experience in the fall of 2018, while completing an Industrial Engineering capstone project, highlights the value of the Learning Factory. The student and their team had the opportunity to work with the Risk Management Office of Penn State and an outside party. Throughout the entire semester they conducted multiple meetings, wrote weekly reports and constantly interacted with their sponsors. The Learning Factory allowed the team to have complete control over their project, from setting deadlines/goals with their sponsor.
The interdisciplinary composition of the team in field of study and in talent perfectly matches the team composition experienced firsthand in internships and other outside industry work. The Learning Factory selected each team member from those students who expressed interest in each project. Each member had various skills and techniques of which the team decided among themselves who would take what role and effectively use each person’s skills to their fullest potential.
This experience allowed the student to understand what they preferred and where their weaknesses hid while other academic projects failed to reveal. This opportunity allowed the student to decide, while still in their undergraduate studies, that they wanted to supplement their engineering degree with a one-year master program to reach a higher level.
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Inclusive and Inspiring
The Learning Factory strives to be an inclusive and inspiring space for all. The vision for the Learning Factory was inspired by Nike's Blue Ribbon Studio, aiming to create a maker space that is accessible and motivating for all students.
Funding and Support
Although the facility is provided by the University, nearly all of the Learning Factory's support comes from private donors and corporate partners. Their belief in the Learning Factory mission makes everything possible and allows them to provide world-class experiences to a wide variety of students.
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