Students and IVCC employees were able to purchase products designed and created by students during the college’s 30th annual MIMIC Fair on April 16. 

MIMIC stands for Making Industry Meaningful in College and represents a nationally recognized curriculum project that places IVCC students from engineering design, electronics and business in teams to design, manufacture, market and sell a product. The student teams, called “companies,” simulate an industrial company structure, allowing the students to experience a workplace environment in a classroom setting. 

Tyler Graves presented their design of asymmetrical Jenga. There were plenty of colors to choose from that were 3D printed as well as a wooden set. The idea behind his design came from his engineering class. 

MacLane Rinearson presented their designs that included a seed started kit, dice tower and IVCC-themed Yahtzee (or cup dice). Rinearson demonstrated how the 3D printed seed starter kit worked and what it included as well as the IVCC-themed Yahtzee game. 

On the raffle table there were a few different raffles to enter including an easter themed basket with 3D printed rabbits and different colored starved rock 3D topographical.

Olivia Lund presented their 3D printed designs of a false bottom key safe planter and a sunflower lamp. Lund demonstrated how the key safe planter worked as well as the battery-operated sunflower lamp [which also had a storage compartment].  

Eli Keighin presented their design of a 3D printed bamboo clamp and seed sorter/organizer. Keighin demonstrated how the bamboo clamps worked, and its use for tall plants such as tomatoes. The seed sorters came in an array of different colors and two different size options also including seed packets. 

The products made were available for purchase and still are, upon request and availability. If you are interested in purchasing any of these products, please email Dorene Data at [email protected].

Dorene Data, CAD/CAE Program Coordinator, said, “Although MIMIC has received many awards, the most prestigious were from the American Community College Association, in 2012 we were anonymously nominated for their Bellwether award and made it to the top 10. In 2020, we were in the top 10 for their Legacy Bellwether award. This was given to programs that had lasted more than five years: that was our 25th year for MIMIC. MIMIC also received a National Science Foundation grant in 2004 for $250,000 and this grant was followed by one for $500,000.”

To see past event products or to learn more about MIMIC, visit https://www.ivcc.edu/mimic/index.php or reach out to Dorene Data at [email protected]