Garage Physics: Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in a physics lab

An entrepreneurial mindset entails curiosity, self-direction, innovative thinking, and a willingness to accept measured risk of failure. It entails perhaps foremost an ability to see any problem as a challenge and opportunity. Developed, the entrepreneurial mindset entails skills in empirical hypothesis testing, planning, analysis, collaboration, and communication, all in a complex environment. These qualities are associated with a successful undergraduate in an advanced laboratory course or capstone research experience in physics as much as with a successful undergraduate CEO launching a technology start-up.

Garage Physics is a project laboratory supporting undergraduate teams conducting pure research and pursuing ventures. The implementation and outcomes to date along with synergies between innovation and entrepreneurship in a physics research context will be described.