At the Student Project House (SPH), we are committed to fostering innovation by providing students with access to the latest technologies, engaging workshops, and a collaborative environment.

Through our Digital Makerspace, we aim to bridge the gap between cutting-edge advancements and student creativity, offering a space where hands-on learning meets real-world applications. This initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors, who help us provide the tools and resources that empower students to explore and create.

Hands-On Workshops: Learning by Doing

Our workshops are designed to give students a practical introduction to the latest developments in machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and extended reality (XR). Open to all BSc, MSc, and PhD students at ETH Zurich, these sessions focus on the application of ML rather than deep technical theory.

Each workshop is structured around solving a challenge, allowing students to engage directly with the material. We ensure accessibility by using free cloud services such as Google Colab, eliminating technical barriers and allowing students to work within a fully equipped development environment straight from their web browsers.

In 2024, our workshops have attracted over 270 participants across 19 sessions, covering topics such as:

• Chat with Your PDF – Combining computer vision and large language models to analyze information from PDFs.
• AI Bias – Exploring biases in datasets and learning how to ensure fair AI predictions.
• Use Your Creativity Through VR – Introducing students to virtual and physical prototyping by designing 3D-printable objects in Gravity Sketch VR.

Beyond providing practical experience, these workshops encourage peer-to-peer learning. Students assisted in developing and running the sessions, ensuring that the content is both relevant and engaging from a student perspective.

Access to Cutting-Edge Technology

We have been investing in state-of-the-art devices such as the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. These tools are integrated into our workshops, introducing students to their capabilities and potential applications.

Additionally, we are developing a lending system to allow students to borrow these devices for their projects or personal exploration. By making this technology accessible, we empower students to experiment, innovate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

A Supportive Community of Digital Makers

Beyond workshops and hardware, the Digital Makerspace thrives on its community of dedicated student instructors.

These peers provide guidance on coding, programming, app development, and other digital skills, helping fellow students overcome challenges and bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s troubleshooting a machine-learning model or refining a prototype, this network ensures that no one has to navigate the digital world alone.

Free Cloud Resources for Experimentation

To further support student projects, we offer access to free cloud credits and LLM API keys, reducing financial barriers to experimentation and allowing students to work with powerful computational resources. This enables them to develop and test their ideas without the constraints of hardware limitations.

A Work in Progress – Growing with Our Students

The Digital Makerspace is an evolving initiative, continuously adapting to student needs and technological advancements. While we are still refining our approach, our commitment remains the same: to provide ETH students with the tools, knowledge, and environment to explore, create, and innovate. Our efforts align with and are inspired by Innovedum, ETH Zurich’s educational innovation initiative, which you can learn more about here.

We are excited about what’s ahead and grateful for the support that makes this journey possible. As we continue to expand our offerings, we look forward to seeing how students leverage the Digital Makerspace to shape the future of technology and innovation.