Center for Research & Innovation

"Jason had a great experience with the whole Taylor philosophy and community.  His exposure to an education from a Christian worldview and the opportunity for real hands-on experience gave him the courage, the insight, and the enthusiasm to start his own business … a real business, not a start-up any more.  He was challenged and encouraged to chase his dreams.  When he got involved with CR&I, I could feel the creative juices continuing to roll in him and as a parent, this was exciting.  The opportunity for others to help determine how God has wired you and how God is going to use your particular skills, talents and experiences to advance His kingdom, was a huge support for Jason.  He runs a company with real clients, real revenue, real expenses, and real opportunities. It’s exciting."

--Mike Krueger, parent of Jason Krueger (Business ’06) CEO and President of StratoStar Systems (a spinoff company from Taylor’s High Altitude Balloon research)

Value of Innovation

A recent analysis of MIT’s entrepreneurial culture states, “The intent is to work on ‘a problem that keeps the CEO up late at night!’” At Taylor, our students work real-world projects that bring transformational change to society.

A recent employer survey by the Association of American Colleges and Universities determined that applied knowledge in real-world settings as well as innovation are two of the most important learning outcomes for new college graduates.

“All students, including the most talented, should have the opportunity to experience inquiry-based learning, peer collaboration, open-ended, real-world problem solving, hands-on training, and interactions with practicing scientists, engineers and other experts.” From the National Science Board’s PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM INNOVATORS: Identifying and Developing our Nation’s Human Capital (NSB10-33 dated May 5, 2010).

Projects

• Design a Picosatellite that will be launched into orbit.
• Develop technology for missions such as a flying car or harnessing energy from a river.
• Develop technology for accessing near space using Taylor’s High Altitude Research Platform (HARP)  for solving communications, defense, global warming, and environmental problems.
• Develop software to alter the way we do missions.
• Start-up a company for implementing novel technology for sustainable, green buildings through Taylor’s Business Incubator.
• Research wind energy on two $700,000 wind turbines.
• Start-up a hybrid vehicle company through Taylor’s Business Incubator.
• Marketing studies for Business as Missions (BAM) companies and ministries such as the Ichthus Music Festival.
• Develop a high altitude wind turbine.
• Assess the impact of real world projects in the K-12 classroom.
• Assess what people learn from a short term missions trip.
• Developp an Electron Accelerator for research.
• Start-up a Business as Missions (BAM) company through Taylor’s Business Incubator.