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JMU X-Labs
  • About
    • About Us
    • Annual Reports
    • Client Partners
    • Contact
    • COVID-19 Info
    • FAQs
    • News Features
    • Press Kit
    • Scholarly Activity
    • Glossary of Racial Equity Terms
  • Engaged Learning Experiences
    • Class History
      • Class Timeline
      • Past Classes
        • Arts Innovations
        • Autonomous Vehicles
        • Blockchain
        • Community Innovations
        • Creativity and Innovation
        • Drones
        • Foundations of Digital Dev.
        • Fueled
        • Future of Learning at JMU
        • Hacking for Assessment
        • Hacking for Defense
        • Hacking for Democracy
        • Hacking for Diplomacy
        • Hacking for the Environment
        • Studying the Esports Industry
        • Robotic Process Automation
        • XR: Creating New Realities
    • Spring 2023 Classes
      • Innovating Esports at JMU
      • Internet of Things
      • Medical Innovations
    • Spring ’23 Class Interest Form
    • X-Labs International
  • Projects & Initiatives
    • Faculty Innovation Fellows
    • Fellowship Coming Soon
    • X-Labs+ Sparks Coming Soon
    • Podcasts
  • Events
    • Past Events
      • Battle of the Dukes
      • Fab Lab 2022
      • Music Mondays
      • Pop-Ups
      • Rock the Lake 2022
  • JMU Esports
  • About
    • About Us
    • Annual Reports
    • Client Partners
    • Contact
    • COVID-19 Info
    • FAQs
    • News Features
    • Press Kit
    • Scholarly Activity
    • Glossary of Racial Equity Terms
  • Engaged Learning Experiences
    • Class History
      • Class Timeline
      • Past Classes
        • Arts Innovations
        • Autonomous Vehicles
        • Blockchain
        • Community Innovations
        • Creativity and Innovation
        • Drones
        • Foundations of Digital Dev.
        • Fueled
        • Future of Learning at JMU
        • Hacking for Assessment
        • Hacking for Defense
        • Hacking for Democracy
        • Hacking for Diplomacy
        • Hacking for the Environment
        • Studying the Esports Industry
        • Robotic Process Automation
        • XR: Creating New Realities
    • Spring 2023 Classes
      • Innovating Esports at JMU
      • Internet of Things
      • Medical Innovations
    • Spring ’23 Class Interest Form
    • X-Labs International
  • Projects & Initiatives
    • Faculty Innovation Fellows
    • Fellowship Coming Soon
    • X-Labs+ Sparks Coming Soon
    • Podcasts
  • Events
    • Past Events
      • Battle of the Dukes
      • Fab Lab 2022
      • Music Mondays
      • Pop-Ups
      • Rock the Lake 2022
  • JMU Esports

Class Timeline

A historical chronology of JMU X-Labs academic classes offered since the program was founded in
2015, this timeline provides a glimpse into the history of our growth, how we are constantly
working to improve our offerings, and how we respond to the needs of a growing number of collaborators.

2022-2023

Fall Semester

Community Innovations
Masked and socially distanced volunteers prepare orders

This course is a passport to active, creative, and impactful global citizenship. It helps students build vital and transferable skills for their careers, and the work they accomplish becomes a signature entry in their professional portfolios.

Read more about the Community Innovations class

Esports Tournament Execution
Xavier watching students play

This class focuses on applying project management to the creation and development of Esports classes and tournaments, and explores the economic impact of this multi-million dollar enterprise.

Read more about the Esports Tournament Execution class

Foundations of Digital Development

In partnership with Deloitte, students gained insightful knowledge into the world of CRM and Salesforce to operate as successful System Administrators.

Read more about the Foundations of Digital Development class

Hacking for Diplomacy

Students collaborate to solve real-world foreign policy problems.

Read more about the Hacking for Diplomacy class

Hacking for the Environment
Student analyzes oysters on a boat in Florida

Students innovate solutions to ocean-related problems.

Read more about the Hacking for the Environment class

Internet of Things
Masked student attaches sensor

Students use IoT for innovative solutions, from smart homes and self-driving cars to drones, robotics, biomedical research, disaster relief, and environmental protection.

Read more about the Internet of Things class

XR: Creating New Realities

Using the latest technology, students design and develop augmented and virtual reality solutions for everyday problems.

Read more about the XR: Creating New Realities class

2021-2022

Spring Semester

The Future of Learning at JMU

Students with professionals from across campus and beyond to shape the future of learning at JMU.

Read more about the The Future of Learning at JMU class

Internet of Things
Masked student attaches sensor

Students use IoT for innovative solutions, from smart homes and self-driving cars to drones, robotics, biomedical research, disaster relief, and environmental protection.

Read more about the Internet of Things class

Hacking for Defense

Students helped various military organizations develop processes for analyzing data, emergency response coordination, engaging soldiers and their families, onboarding, operational decision-making and collecting information for health administrators.

Read more about the Hacking for Defense class

XR: Creating New Realities

Previously called Augmented/Virtual Reality, students design and develop augmented and virtual reality solutions for everyday problems using the latest technology,.

Read more about the XR: Creating New Realities class

2021-2022

Fall Semester

Arts Innovations

Students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts merge theater with technology to create virtual settings and performances.

Read more about the Arts Innovations class

Augmented/Virtual Reality

Using the latest technology, students design and develop augmented and virtual reality solutions for everyday problems.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Future of Education

Students explore and reimagine JMU’s General Education curricula to include meaningful, transformative courses focused on addressing the oppressive structures that create barriers to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

Read more about the Future of Education class

Hacking for Diplomacy

Students collaborate to solve real-world foreign policy problems.

Read more about the Hacking for Diplomacy class

Hacking for the Environment
Student analyzes oysters on a boat in Florida

Students innovate solutions to ocean-related problems.

Read more about the Hacking for the Environment class

Internet of Things
Masked student attaches sensor

Students use IoT for innovative solutions, from smart homes and self-driving cars to drones, robotics, biomedical research, disaster relief, and environmental protection.

Read more about the Internet of Things class

Medical Innovations
Final prototype of a mask

Engineering, health, kinesiology, and nursing students work in multidisciplinary teams to develop and communicate solutions to a community health challenge.

Read more about the Medical Innovations class

Robotic Process Automation

In partnership with BRMi, students covered a variety of business and education applications for RPA as well as the means and methods to intelligently optimize work performance.

Read more about the Robotic Process Automation class

Salesforce Training

In partnership with Deloitte, students gained insightful knowledge into the world of CRM and Salesforce to operate as successful System Administrators.

Read more about the Salesforce Training class

2020-2021

Spring Semester

Arts Innovations
Masked students in black dance on the rooftop of a parking garage

Students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts merged theater with technology to create virtual settings and performances.

Read more about the Arts Innovations class

Augmented/Virtual Reality
Client partner logos

Students identified and mapped out biological markers in the brain using augmented technology, made key updates to JMU's virtual tour, or analyzed the economic impact of local airports.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Community Innovations
Students talk with a mother holding a baby.

Food Insecurity – Students focused problem solving around local issues related to poverty and food insecurity.

The Future of Learning – Students prototyped ambitious hybrid and online education projects to contribute to the future of learning at JMU.

Read more about the Community Innovations class

Hacking for Defense

Students improved scheduling resources, increased collaboration visibility and efficiency across business units, helped catalog lead-contaminated facilities, helped identify and intervene with counter-productive leadership styles, and provided military family dependents who have special needs better ways to navigate healthcare.

Read more about the Hacking for Defense class

Internet of Things
A tablet controlling a 360 degree camera on wheels

Through the problem-solving process, teams built requisite skill sets in electrical engineering, Arduino microcontrollers, sensor and motor integration, firmware development, CAD, 3D printing and laser cutting.

Read more about the Internet of Things class

Robotic Process Automation

Students covered a variety of business and education applications for RPA as well as the means and methods to intelligently optimize work performance.

Read more about the Robotic Process Automation class

Salesforce App Development
Deloitte logo

Students gained insightful knowledge into the world of CRM and Salesforce to operate as successful System Administrators.

Read more about the Salesforce App Development class

2020-2021

Fall Semester

Arts Innovations
Masked student swipes her hand across a wall, which uses technology to draw a virtual line across it

Students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts merged theater with technology to create virtual settings and performances.

Read more about the Arts Innovations class

Community Innovations
Audience watching Community Innovations class presentation

Students worked with the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County to collect data about how COVID-19 has affected the economic, social, and health of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population in Harrisonburg.

Read more about the Community Innovations class

Hacking for Democracy – Pilot
U.S. flag, closed hand with checkbox written on it raised over JMU quad

Students addressed complex challenges surrounding the 2020 election.

Read more about the Hacking for Democracy – Pilot class

Hacking for Diplomacy

Students focused on Megacities (population surges), Sino-Indo relations, Blue Nile River analysis, and protecting the Sikh population in Afghanistan.

Read more about the Hacking for Diplomacy class

Internet of Things
Northrop Grumman logo

Students collaborated with Northrop Grumman to find ways to effectively monitor bears in their natural habitat.

Read more about the Internet of Things class

Medical Innovations
App solution slide

Students developed empathy maps, designed prototypes, and performed usability testing to address various challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about the Medical Innovations class

Robotic Process Automation

In partnership with BRMi, students covered a variety of business and education applications for RPA as well as the means and methods to intelligently optimize work performance.

Read more about the Robotic Process Automation class

Salesforce Training – Pilot

In partnership with Deloitte, students gained insightful knowledge into the world of CRM and Salesforce to operate as successful System Administrators.

Read more about the Salesforce Training – Pilot class

2019-2020

Spring Semester

Augmented/Virtual Reality
Students working from home

In response to COVID-19, the AR/VR class pivoted from planned projects to explore how immersive technology could address the impacts of the public health crisis.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Community Innovations
Client partner logos

Students addressed select problems around human trafficking.

Read more about the Community Innovations class

Drones
Two students work on a drone

Students modified drones to carry payloads including cameras and sensors and/or to develop sensors to interact with UAVs that can be used to answer questions and solve problems.

Read more about the Drones class

Hacking for Defense
Client partner logos

Student teams pursued solutions to challenges based on the needs of client partners from the 11th Wing of the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of State, and the Womack Army Medical Center.

Read more about the Hacking for Defense class

Robotic Process Automation
Instructor with microphone speaks in front of a screen that says "Use case demo"

In a partnership with BRMi, students covered a variety of business and education applications for RPA as well as the means and methods to intelligently optimize work performance.

Read more about the Robotic Process Automation class

2019-2020

Fall Semester

Augmented/Virtual Reality

Students developed a VR tour for JMU Admissions and a study abroad experience for the Center for Global Engagement, brought pre-construction models to augmented reality, and built a laboratory simulation for online graduate students for Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Autonomous Vehicles
A reporter interviews Professor Sprague in front of the golf cart

Students developed sensors and artificial intelligence to provide safe self-driving golf cart kits to retirement communities.

Read more about the Autonomous Vehicles class

Hacking for Diplomacy

Students worked with client partners including the Army National Guard, the U.S. Department of State, NATO, the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Read more about the Hacking for Diplomacy class

Internet of Things
Client partner logos

Students worked with client partners including the American Red Cross, Amazon Web Services, OpenCollar, and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Read more about the Internet of Things class

Medical Innovations
Hexo product prototype

Engineering, health, kinesiology, and nursing students worked in multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions to the opioid crisis.

Read more about the Medical Innovations class

2018-2019

Spring Semester

Arts Innovations – Pilot

In partnership with the Furious Flower Poetry Center, students built a digital archive prototype that showcases the entire proceedings of the first Furious Flower conference in 1994.

Read more about the Arts Innovations – Pilot class

Augmented/Virtual Reality
Students show a professor their chemistry app on a tablet

Students developed AR tools to teach the constituents of chemistry molecules, used motion capture to represent dance movements with dancers from the School of Theatre and Dance, and created a mobile version of the JMU Campus VR Tour for the Center for Global Engagement for international student recruiting.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Autonomous Vehicles
A reporter rides in the autonomous golf cart

Students developed sensors and artificial intelligence to provide safe self-driving golf cart kits to retirement communities.

Read more about the Autonomous Vehicles class

Community Innovations
United Way logo

In partnership with United Way, students prototyped solutions regarding affordable childcare, public transportation, and the relationship between JMU and local non-profits.

Read more about the Community Innovations class

Drones

Using drones and custom sensors, students prototyped solutions for problems such as the decline of bee populations and oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay.

Read more about the Drones class

Fueled
Student raises her arm in triumph as she connects the FarmBot.

Students worked together on innovative projects directly applicable to the business needs of the Fueled food truck.

Read more about the Fueled class

Hacking for Defense
Client partner logos

Students improved training to maximize learning and performance, incentivized infantry service, created a leaner, meaner defense acquisition team, enabled transparency in humanitarian aid delivery, and developed standards for universities to secure unclassified innovative research.

Read more about the Hacking for Defense class

Robotic Process Automation – Pilot

In a partnership with BRMi, students covered a variety of business and education applications for RPA as well as the means and methods to intelligently optimize work performance.

Read more about the Robotic Process Automation – Pilot class

2018-2019

Fall Semester

Augmented/Virtual Reality

Students designed and built a virtual reality tour of JMU’s campus using the latest technology in 360° media and VR. The tour became part of a recruitment exhibit in the newly renovated Madison Hall.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Autonomous Vehicles
Students prepare autonomous golf cart for launch

Students brought the autonomous concept out of simulation and into the real world by transforming a golf cart into a self-driving vehicle.

Read more about the Autonomous Vehicles class

Blockchain
Students with laptops listen to their professor

Students developed a multidisciplinary understanding of blockchain technology with consideration for underlying ethical issues and create their own innovative applications.

Read more about the Blockchain class

Community Innovations – Pilot
Client partner logos

Students partnered with local organizations to respond to the challenges they face, developing innovative solutions.

Read more about the Community Innovations – Pilot class

Creativity and Innovation – Pilot

Students developed creative confidence and learn specific methods designed to disrupt pattern thinking, generate new ideas, and work on interesting problems using a variety of design thinking processes.

Read more about the Creativity and Innovation – Pilot class

Fueled

Students worked together on innovative projects directly applicable to the business needs of the Fueled food truck.

Read more about the Fueled class

Hacking for Diplomacy

Students optimized the deployment speed of 20 NATO nations, provide recruitment support for the D.C. National Guard, determine early warning signs of human trafficking, and neutralize terrorist propaganda targeting youth and new followers.

Read more about the Hacking for Diplomacy class

Internet of Things – Pilot

Students explored underlying technologies and develop minimum viable products that address complex open-ended problems for industry partners.

Read more about the Internet of Things – Pilot class

Medical Innovations
Students test a TENS machine.

Medical Innovations expanded in the fall of 2018 with the addition of students and faculty from the Department of Kinesiology. It was the second consecutive year students focused on aspects of the opioid crisis.

Read more about the Medical Innovations class

2017-2018

Spring Semester

Augmented/Virtual Reality
A student teaches a man how to use the VR tour

Students designed and built a virtual reality tour of JMU’s campus using the latest technology in 360° media and VR. The tour became part of a recruitment exhibit in the newly renovated Madison Hall.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Autonomous Vehicles – Pilot
A student works on the detached steering wheel of the golf cart.

Students transformed a golf cart into a self-driving vehicle, gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of design, engineering, systems, software, controls, and project management.

Read more about the Autonomous Vehicles – Pilot class

Blockchain – Pilot
Students watch professor at the front of the classroom

Students wrote a blockchain textbook, a first of its kind, designed to be a comprehensive introduction to the topic.

Read more about the Blockchain – Pilot class

Drones
Student analyzes oysters on a boat in Florida

Students designed drones that distinguish elk from deer, protect oysters in Chesapeake Bay, safely tranquilize large animals, protect grassland birds, survey for invasive plants, connect with animal trackers, image shoreline erosion, track peregrine falcon nests, protect aquatic vegetation, and sway bears from harmful situations.

Read more about the Drones class

Fueled

Students worked together on innovative projects directly applicable to the business needs of the Fueled food truck.

Read more about the Fueled class

Hacking for Defense
Students talking with President Alger about their project

Students worked with U.S. military organizations to develop a faster way to log flight records, track recalled medical items, track passengers and carry-on bags, and prevent human trafficking.

Read more about the Hacking for Defense class

2017-2018

Fall Semester

Augmented/Virtual Reality
A girl wearing a VR headset and sensors smiling

Students designed and built a virtual reality tour of JMU’s campus using the latest technology in 360° media and VR. The tour became part of a recruitment exhibit in the newly renovated Madison Hall.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality class

Drones
Professor holds drone for class to see

Students designed and built drone prototypes to track pregnant bears, track and protect endangered species, and collect dung beetle data that helps reduce parasites and greenhouse gases.

Read more about the Drones class

Hacking for Diplomacy – Pilot
A student leads a brainstorming session with her team

In 2017, JMU offered the only H4Di course in the country and was the first in the nation to offer it exclusively to undergraduate students, who worked on problems as diverse as cybersecurity and hate crime prevention.

Read more about the Hacking for Diplomacy – Pilot class

Medical Innovations
Student presentation on opioid crisis

Students designed practical, ethical solutions to address the opioid crisis.

Read more about the Medical Innovations class

2016-2017

Spring Semester

Applied Math/Robotics
A student points a pen while talking with someone; A drill is on the worktable

Students applied their mathematical model to design and build a walking bicycle.

Augmented/Virtual Reality – Pilot
Student creates VR program on a desktop computer.

Using the latest technology, students designed and developed augmented and virtual reality solutions for everyday problems.

Read more about the Augmented/Virtual Reality – Pilot class

Drones
Students put a drone together.

Students analyzed and tackled real problems using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Read more about the Drones class

Fueled – Pilot
Students and faculty work in the garden for Fueled.

Students worked together on innovative projects directly applicable to the business needs of the Fueled food truck, including industrial and environmental design, nutrition/health promotion, mind-body awareness, graphic design, marketing, campus/K-12 education and community engagement.

Read more about the Fueled – Pilot class

Hacking for Defense – Pilot
Students present their solution.

Students helped their clients gain situation awareness inside enemy sanctuaries and across battlefields, disrupt threatening aircrafts, and improve communication and coordination between military, humanitarian, and civilian populations.

Read more about the Hacking for Defense – Pilot class

2016-2017

Fall Semester

Applied Math/Robotics – Pilot
A student uses a drill while the professor looks on

Students and faculty designed a mathematical model to create a walking bicycle.

Drones
Students stands beside drone prototype to save bees.

Students designed and built drones to help with fire rescue assessment, sea rescue response times, landmine detection and safe detonation, analyze an ancient city wall in Colombia, restore telecommunications after hurricanes, support honeybee populations, and monitor tidal flooding.

Read more about the Drones class

Math Teaching Methods – Pilot
A class talks with people on a Beam robot and through telepresence.

Graduate students learned how to teach math by building tangible prototypes for direct application of mathematical concepts.

2015-2016

Spring Semester

Drones
Student displays drone project poster.

Students discovered the technical components of unmanned aerial vehicles and sensors through hands-on projects.

Read more about the Drones class

Medical Innovations
Students present their health / medical solution

Students formulated ideas for mitigating metabolic syndrome—a disorder which affects about 34% of Americans and increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Read more about the Medical Innovations class

2015-2016

Fall Semester

Drones – Pilot

Students developed solutions for air pollution, saving the James River spinymussel, saving lives through First Response, aerial imaging for city planning, detecting landmines, and disarming landmines using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Read more about the Drones – Pilot class

2014-2015

Spring Semester

Medical Innovations – Pilot
Headshots of Dr. Lewis, Dr. Nagel, and Dr. Ludwig

Students applied maker technology to produce and communicate solutions for metabolic syndrome—a disorder which affects about 34% of Americans and increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Read more about the Medical Innovations – Pilot class

JMU X-Labs

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Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
298 Port Republic Road
(Across the street from Starbucks)
Harrisonburg VA, 22807
540-568-7447

James Madison University

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Photography by Elise Trissel, Mike Miriello, and University Communications and Marketing

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