Design & Innovation Studio

Instructor and student operate a small yellow robot on a teaching mat in a classroom setting.

Vincennes University: Leading the Way in Design and Innovation

The Design and Innovation Studio at Vincennes University is a collaborative, future-focused space where pre-service teachers and local educators gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies and creative tools that are transforming today’s classrooms. In partnership with IN-MaC, Purdue University, and regional schools, VU is actively investing in the growth of Design and Innovation Studios across Indiana—strengthening the connection between education and industry.

Purpose-built for teacher preparation and professional development, the studio provides practical training in robotics, coding, 3D printing, design thinking, and engineering kits. Through curriculum-aligned activities and immersive learning, participants are equipped to deliver 21st-century STEM instruction—empowering the next generation of high-tech thinkers and doers.

Contact Lydia Jones for more information
Telephone: (812) 888-5125
Email: lydia.jones@vinu.edu

Students use the design innovation tools.

Empowering Educators and Students through Hands-on Innovation

The Vincennes University Design and Innovation Studio plays a vital role in advancing STEM education across Southern Indiana. Here's how:

Regional Impact: VU's studio serves as the primary training hub for over 40 Design and Innovation Studios located in local elementary and intermediate schools.
Wide Reach: Each year, these Design and Innovation studios reach more than 15,000 K–8 students and 150 teachers in Indiana, bringing hands-on STEM experiences to classrooms across the region.
Teacher Preparation: Studio tools and technologies are fully integrated into VU’s Education degree programs, ensuring pre-service teachers graduate with real-world instructional experience.
Professional Development: We regularly host training sessions and workshops for both current educators and future teachers to strengthen classroom innovation and STEM readiness.

Innovation in Action: Tools That Transform Teaching

At the heart of the Vincennes University Design and Innovation Studio is a powerful collection of tools and technologies that bring learning to life. Every piece of equipment in the studio is carefully selected to support hands-on, standards-aligned instruction in STEM and design thinking.

These tools are more than gadgets, they're platforms for discovery! Educators learn how to teach coding through robotics, explore energy concepts using hydrogen cars, and bring student designs to life with 3D printing and laser cutting.

Each item in our studio is paired with classroom-ready activities, making it easy for teachers to translate what they learn into engaging, real-world lessons for students. In the slide deck located here, you’ll get a closer look at the technologies we use and how they’re shaping the future of education.