Sponsors

Through Duke University’s new First-Year Design (FYD) program, students gain early experience as they work in multi-disciplinary teams to design and build prototype solutions to solve real-world, client-based problems.

Ongoing Expenses

Ongoing expenses of this program include supporting the teams and their projects. Your support could cover direct project costs, such as purchases teams make to build their project.

There are other expenses, including salaries for peer teaching assistants and writing consultants as well as ongoing costs to keep the Design POD and The Foundry stocked with materials such as wood, PVC, and low-fidelity materials.

Expansion Wish-list

In fall 2018, the FYD program's enrollment scaled up 700% (from the pilot semester: fall 2018) and went full-scale to include all first-year students, demanding for more space for lectures and lab. The Foundry has welcomed FYD but it required an overhaul of inventory ranging from materials to equipment. To give an almost identical experience in both locations, you can help support the increased need of:

  • 3D Printers and filament
  • Power Tools and Hand Tools
  • Electronics Stations
  • Prototyping supplies
  • Low-high fidelity materials

Levels of Gifts to Support First-Year Teams

Ongoing expenses of this program include supporting the teams and their projects. Contributions could cover direct project costs, such as purchases teams make to build their project. There are other expenses, including salaries for peer teaching assistants and writing consultants as well as ongoing costs to keep the Design POD stocked with materials such as wood, PVC, and low-fidelity materials.

25-50K Level

  • Supports 5-10 Teams*
  • All above plus
  • Donors will be invited to meet with students one evening per semester (dinner at the POD)
  • Magnets on tables with team sponsorship
  • On screens during poster session at end of course

5-10K Level

  • Supports 1-2 Teams*
  • Company or individual name and logo will be placed on a donor wall
  • Student team will be notified about your sponsorship, and team will acknowledge sponsorship in presentations, posters, etc. 
  • Acknowledged on Design POD website
  • May serve as a technical mentor for a team
  • May present project idea(s)

 

BECOME A SPONSOR

 

*Themed Team Sponsors: Sponsors can elect to support teams with a theme specific to their personal or professional afflictions. As a sponsor, you can direct your contribution to teams with themes of: energy, sustainability, global health, interaction with animals, investing in Durham, medical devices, design for disabilities, etc.