Celebrating 15 Years of Innovating for the Greater Good

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Through IDEAS, students learn the importance of building personal relationships in the communities where they are working. IDEAS funding helped Amy Mueller of STG International build and strengthen her partnerships in Lesotho, which was critical for laying the foundation of her project. STG International brings high-quality solar energy electrification to rural areas, and their first project was launched in 2006. Mueller notes that this fieldwork was integral to her understanding of MIT’s motto of "mind and hand"; it is not only about having a high technical proficiency in one’s field, but also “rolling up our sleeves and getting our hands dirty: 'mens et manus!'” This ability to reach out to and connect with diverse groups of people is a skill that participants take with them, even beyond the life of their IDEAS project.

MIT alum and 2006 MIT IDEAS winner, Neil Ruiz of FristStep Coral reflected on how MIT IDEAS not only enhanced his undergraduate experience but also transformed his career path: “IDEAS really helped us learn beyond a degree requirement and live out what MIT stands for; it’s experiential learning at its best. I use that experiential philosophy in the interdisciplinary policy work I do today. MIT IDEAS taught me to think differently and interact with people outside of my point of view.”

Where ideas come to life

On April 2, 48 new MIT IDEAS teams will showcase a wide array of exciting innovations. This year’s projects focus on breaking boundaries in industries such as clean energy, global health, agribusiness, tech, and water.

The 15th annual MIT IDEAS Challenge Showcase and Awards Ceremony will take place at the Media Lab on April 2 from 12 to 3 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about social entrepreneurship on campus, interact with the IDEAS teams and projects, and be inspired!