Western Michigan University AMP Lab

The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) lab is a collaboration between students, regional manufacturers, Grand Rapids Community College and Western Michigan University to identify strategic priorities and program elements for the advanced manufacturing trading program, which also addresses the talent shortage the region is experiencing. Unique to this environment is the absence of classrooms. Learning, instead, is embedded in hands-on STEM experiences including entrepreneurial partnership areas, design thinking areas, maker spaces, robotics, and small batch production facilities. These areas are prominently displayed to actively engage the community and promote the programs within. Work sessions were conducted to develop design principles, program and equipment requirements. Western Michigan University is the primary tenant and operates its graduate center programs in this downtown Grand Rapids satellite campus. This program utilizes advanced manufacturing methods and the latest in advanced manufacturing equipment.