Micro-Initiatives
What are Micro-Initiatives?
Micro-initiatives are small, entrepreneurial projects embedded into existing courses that give students the chance to identify challenges, develop solutions, and create real-world value. These initiatives are intended to complement your teaching, not add additional workload. They provide hands-on, applied learning opportunities aligned with course content and enhance student engagement through meaningful outcomes—whether a prototype, a business model, or a community-focused innovation.
How Do Micro-Initiatives Extend Existing Pedagogies?
Micro-initiatives build on strategies like problem-based learning (PBL) and service projects but emphasize entrepreneurship as a form of opportunity identification, innovation, and value creation. They also offer sustainability and scalability beyond a single course or semester.
Explore the Matrix: See How Micro-Initiatives Differ from PBL and Service Projects.
Why Should You Participate?
- Enhance Student Engagement: Students take ownership of their learning by addressing real-world challenges.
- Reduce Faculty Burden: Projects are embedded in existing courses—you mentor, students lead.
- Support Recruitment and Retention: Prospective and current students are attracted to programs with applied learning opportunities that result in tangible outcomes.
- Strengthen Community Partnerships: Projects create or deepen relationships with local businesses, nonprofits, and alumni, expanding the impact of Carthage’s academic programs.
Examples of Micro-Initiatives
- Business: Teams develop a product launch strategy for a local startup, managed through Trello with AI Power-Ups for task tracking.
- Healthcare: Nursing students build a no-code wellness app using Glide, addressing patient education needs.
- Engineering: A sustainability-focused capstone team prototypes a solar-powered bench for the campus.
- Arts Management: Students organize a fundraising campaign for a community event, tracking outcomes using Airtable.
Funding Opportunities
The Faculty Innovation Grants Program offers micro-grants of $3,000–$5,000 per initiative, along with support for technology tools and student stipends. Funding is limited, so faculty are encouraged to apply early.
How to Apply
Faculty can apply for micro-initiative funding through the Faculty Innovation Grants portal. The application includes a short project proposal, a budget outline, and a timeline for implementation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to projects that involve external partnerships or cross-disciplinary collaboration.