Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Defense is an exciting new course that challenges students to develop solutions to critical problems faced by the United States Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. This course, known nationally as Hacking for Defense (H4D), is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, offering ENGR 3195-034 for undergraduates and ENGR 5300-010 for graduates.
The unique aspect of this course is its combination of engineering and entrepreneurship for critical defense applications. It takes a project-based approach, allowing students to work on real-world problems submitted by various sponsoring organizations. This hands-on experience gets students out of the classroom and into the community, engaging with defense industry professionals.
According to UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition Graduate Fellow in Naval Security Alexander Grey, the course aims to foster connections both within and outside of engineering disciplines. Students are encouraged to collaborate across different fields, emphasizing soft skills, round-table discussions, and creative thinking.
One of the key highlights of the course is its focus on solving real-world dilemmas faced by the military and defense contractors. By bringing together engineering, venture capital, and policymaking, students can develop innovative solutions that address critical issues in the national security space.
In the inaugural year of the course, students worked on a project for the Naval Information Warfare System Command (NIWC) – Atlantic, focusing on improving satellite communications for intel gathering. The team of engineering students developed an innovative communications solution called Husky Watch, combining phased arrays and drone technology for enhanced capabilities.
H4D is just one of several courses in the College of Engineering dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. Students like Drew Cietek, a materials science and engineering Ph.D. candidate, found the course to be a unique networking experience that closely resembled real industry problems.
The impact of the H4D program extends beyond the classroom, with over 3,000 students nationwide addressing 850 problems and forming 54 startups. Program sponsors at the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community benefit from the speed at which their organization can solve mission-critical problems through this initiative.
For students interested in registering for the course or organizations looking to sponsor a project, they can reach out to Alexander Grey for more information. The H4D program is powered by BMNT, Inc. and the Common Mission Project, offering students a valuable opportunity to apply their skills to real-world challenges in the defense sector.
