Students

Student-led, Curiosity Driven

Transform your ideas into reality while utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and discover how you can build the technical, analytical, and professional skills to address complex scientific and societal challenges. The Discovery Lab is open to students, faculty, and staff from any of Virginia Tech’s academic programs!

Whether you have just started your academic career at Virginia Tech or are preparing to leave Blacksburg and begin your professional journey, the Discovery Lab is open to students from all disciplines, backgrounds, and experience levels.

Explore

• Learn by doing: Gain hands-on experience with opportunities advanced instruments for fabrication and data analysis
• Pursue your research interests: Take advantage of the discovery lab’s dedicated technical spaces to run your experimental investigations
• Engage with leading STEM proffesionals from VT and beyond: Attend a workshop or seminar organized by the discovery lab or other university groups

Currently, the Discovery Lab is only open to undergraduate students that are registered for a class hosted by the Discovery Lab or participating in one of the undergraduate research experiences.

Undergraduate Research Experiences

Gain valuable and practical research experience by participating in one of the Discovery Lab’s Undergraduate Research Experiences.

Currently, the Discovery Lab hosts three (3) undergraduate research experiences:

As part of these experiences, students will work together as part of small teams, with faculty mentors providing training and mentorship as necessary as students engage with all phases of research lifecycle.

You will receive technical support and guidance from Discovery Lab Faculty Mentors, but the how, what, and why come from you! We just get you started.

By participating in one of these experiences students will:

• Receive graded (A-F) research credit
• Gain experience using advanced and industry relevant equipment
• Acquire digital badges you can highlight on your LinkedIn profile
• Take advantage of opportunities to present at local, regional, or national-level conferences

Looking for Advice?

• Mentorship: Meet with Discovery Lab Peer Leaders on technical and career questions.
• Student Opportunities at the Discovery Lab: Explore volunteer and paid Peer Leader opportunities.