With a celebratory lunch, the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) officially announced a $3.2 million gift from Texas Instruments Incorporated on Oct. 22. 

The announcement was followed by demonstrations of Texas Instrument (TI) devices. TI’s gift will be used to construct a new ECE maker space. Known as the Texas Instruments Plaza and Maker Space, it will be constructed adjacent to ECE’s current location in the Van Leer Building. Students using the maker space will have access to devices directly correlating with coursework material, such as embedded systems and analog devices. 

The College of Engineering strives to provide students with spaces that cultivate the design process by allowing access to the latest design technology. 

"Georgia Tech is focused on providing an environment that nurtures project-based learning and professional leadership," said Steven McLaughlin, Steve W. Chaddick chair in ECE. "Inside the TI Maker Space, electrical and computer engineering students — as well as students from other disciplines across Georgia Tech — will work together to solve technology design challenges that will not only give them the necessary project skills for career success but also provide the experience to address problems facing the industry and the world." 

Current spaces, such as the Invention Studio, are managed by student volunteers and open to all Georgia Tech students. The Invention Studio houses 3-D printers, laser cutters and a water jet. Giving students an opportunity to get their hands dirty allows them to turn their theoretical prototypes into something functional and applicable to the real world.