Professor Yao Olive Li Awarded SPICE Grant to Modernize Maker Studio
Yao Olive Li, faculty director of Student Innovation Idea Labs, has been awarded a prestigious SPICE (Special Projects for Improving the Classroom Experience) grant for her proposal, “Modernizing the Maker Studio: Upgrading 3D Printing Station for Enhanced Student Learning and Innovation.”
Li was awarded $14,935 for the transformative project, which will involve the modernization of the 3D printing station for more than 5,000 students annually and the advancement of the university’s commitment its “Learn by Doing” and “Become by Doing” philosophies.
Funded through the Student Success Fee and hosted by the Office of Academic Innovation, the SPICE program supports forward-thinking instructional projects that enhance teaching and learning across campus. Li’s proposal directly supports the program’s mission by replacing outdated 3D printers with advanced systems. The new equipment—featuring high-speed printing, multi-material functionality, and AI-assisted error detection—will provide students with hands-on access to tools that reflect today’s industry standards.
“Upgrading the 3D printing station in our Maker Studio is a transformative step in expanding student access to cutting-edge technology,” said Li. “This investment strengthens our mission at the Student Innovation Idea Labs to foster inclusive, hands-on innovation and prepare students from all majors to lead in tomorrow’s workforce.”
The enhanced Maker Studio will serve as a dynamic, interdisciplinary hub for students in engineering, art and design, business, science and beyond. Students will gain technical proficiency by working with multiple 3D printing technologies, boost their creativity faster and more reliable prototyping, and collaborate with peers across disciplines. The modernization also aims to increase access for historically underrepresented groups in STEM, while equipping all learners with the skills and experiences essential for career success and graduate studies.
Students will develop in-demand employment skills used across the manufacturing, design, healthcare, and aerospace industries. The upgraded Maker Studio also will serve as a launchpad for innovation and entrepreneurship—empowering students from all academic backgrounds to prototype new ideas, build solutions, and bring socially driven or market-ready products to life.
To learn more about the SPICE program, visit the website or contact the Office of Academic Innovation at ai@cpp.edu.