Join us for Startup Week at Penn State Berks!
March 15 - 22, 2024
Each spring, Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC brings together the best and brightest Penn State student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators for a week-long celebration of what happens when Penn State’s inspired doers put their ideas into action.
The Flemming CEED Center sponsors or co-sponsors Penn State's Startup Week event programming. Many of the following events are free and open to the public.
K12 Design Thinking Workshop
Friday, March 15
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Flemming CEED Center, 111 and 105 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building
Twenty seventh-grade students from Reading Southern who have been participating in the FiERCE program this year will be visiting Penn State Berks to learn about the entrepreneurship and innovation programs offered by the University. During their visit, the students will attend a Design Thinking workshop where they will learn how to prototype their ideas in a simple manner.
Moderators: Sadan Kulturel-Konak, Abdullah Konak, Marietta Scanlon
The program is supported by the Flemming CEED Center and FiERCE. Futures in Engineering: Role-Models Can Empower, known as FiERCE, is an outreach program at Penn State Berks that partners undergraduate students with local middle and high school students for a series of engineering and outreach activities at Penn State Berks. FiERCE leverages research that demonstrates that mentorship and positive role models play the most important role in raising young people's self-confidence and interest in the STEM fields.
Augmented Innovation Workshop
Monday, March 18
12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Flemming CEED Center (111 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building)
Collaborate with AI to pitch a new product or service! The Augmented Innovation Workshop explores how to use generative AI in entrepreneurial ventures. Participants will prompt generative AI to pitch new products, and to evaluate product and service innovations using De Bono's Six Thinking Hats. We'll also discuss the ethical implications and challenges of using AI in entrepreneurship and innovation. BYOD (bring your own device)!
Moderator: Sarah Hartman-Caverly, reference and instruction librarian
3D Prototype Printing Workshop
Monday, March 18
11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Flemming CEED Center (111 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building)
In the 3D Prototype Printing Workshop, attendees will learn how to prototype successfully as part of a three-step process: planning (sketching), hands-on application (rough prototyping), and 3D printing (modeling). Learn how to strategize your printing to avoid lost time and materials!
Moderators: Kathy Hauser, assistant teaching professor of engineering, and Brady Knox, second-year mechanical engineering student Penn State Berks
Building a Strategic Network: Social Network Concepts and Network Analysis Workshop
Friday, March 22
12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Flemming CEED Center (111 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building)
This workshop will introduce basic concepts of social network and network analysis. Participants will then apply these concepts to develop their personal brand and professional networks on LinkedIn.
Moderator: Ada Leung, associate professor of marketing
Student Enterprise Award Ceremony
Monday, March 25
1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Flemming CEED Center (111 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building)
The Student Enterprise Award provides seed money to support enterprising and innovative students at Penn State Berks. The main objective of the award is to allow students to utilize their Penn State Berks education to become entrepreneurs and start businesses which can create jobs in our local community. Join us for this award ceremony to celebrate this year's winners!