HMC Innovation Accelerator Lab: Imaginative Prototyping with AI

The rapid development and rollout of AI is disrupting education and society. HMC can lead in shaping how AI integrates with STEM and liberal arts by creating imaginative, impactful prototypes. This project will form AI-powered prototypes exploring: How AI can support student learning without undermining student-faculty relationships; How AI automates day-to-day work while preserving human connections; How AI might assist writing and STEM prototyping responsibly. Student fellows will participate in project-based learning, mentorship, and infrastructure support through Spring and Summer 2026. Deliverables include a blog post, poster, and opportunity for industry partnership.

Name of research group, project, or lab
The Innovation Accelerator Laboratory for Imaginative Prototyping with Artificial Intelligence
Why join this research group or lab?

Join a dynamic, cross-disciplinary group innovating at the intersection of AI, education, and society. Collaborate in entrepreneurial teams to tackle real-world AI challenges with hands-on prototypes, mentorship, and opportunities for significant impact—both on campus and through connections with industry partners.

Logistics Information:
Project categories
Computer Science
Engineering
Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts
Artificial Intelligence
Teaching & Learning
Student ranks applicable
First-year
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

Interest in AI, prototyping, or technology in education. Creativity, collaboration, and strong communication skills. Open to all backgrounds (no prerequisite technical skills required).

Time commitment
Spring - Part Time
Summer - Full Time
Compensation
Academic Credit
Paid Research
Number of openings
8
Techniques learned

Prototyping with AI APIs (such as LLMs), project design and evaluation, science and technical communication (blog, poster), team-based project management.

Project start
Spring 2026
Contact Information:
Mentor
Josh Brake
jbrake@hmc.edu
Principal Investigator
Name of project director or principal investigator
Josh Brake
Email address of project director or principal investigator
jbrake@hmc.edu
8 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
Spring - Part Time (+1)
Spring - Part TimeSummer - Full Time
Project categories
Computer Science (+4)
Computer ScienceEngineeringHumanities, Social Sciences, and the ArtsArtificial IntelligenceTeaching & Learning