FIU’s Edge Lab is fueling student innovation

What began in a 200-square-foot office with a single 3D printer has become one of the most dynamic and inclusive creative spaces on campus. The Edge Lab, FIU’s student-run makerspace hosted by the Honors College, is empowering students across the university to bring their creative ideas to life — and there’s a growing movement to expand it even further. 
 
Tucked inside OE 165 at MMC, The Edge Lab is open to the entire FIU community: students, faculty, staff, alumni and even members of the Sweetwater community. A satellite location is also available on the fourth floor of Parkview Hall. Now, student government leaders are working to open a third location at BBC, where students are eager for hands-on creative opportunities of their own that’s open to all majors. From 3D printers, laser printers and CNC routers to embroidery machines, podcast equipment and even a music production studio, the Edge Lab is a place where artists, musicians, designers and thinkers from all majors come together. 

A Space for Every Major 

Tanner Croddy, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, remembers his first visit to the Edge Lab. “I was highly impressed,” he said. “You don't have to be in an engineering discipline to make use of the space and to talk with people there and collaborate. The people who work and volunteer there are very helpful to students who aren’t familiar with the technology.”                                                     

But what stood out most to Croddy wasn’t just the tools, it was the potential. As a senator in FIU’s Student Government Association representing housing at BBC, Croddy saw a clear gap in access for students based at FIU's second campus. While MMC students have access to two Edge Lab spaces, BBC students would like the same.

Now, Croddy is using his elected role to make that happen. 

“I’ve been advocating for a space like the Edge Lab to be brought to BBC because I’ve seen first-hand how valuable it is,” he said.  

“Whether it’s building skills that translate into the workforce or just having a creative outlet to explore something new, this space is meaningful across all majors.” 

Croddy believes that bringing the Edge Lab to BBC will not only benefit engineering students but also those in journalism, hospitality, education and the arts — all of whom could use the lab’s tools for creative projects, business prototypes, content creation or research presentations. 

“This isn’t just about adding a lab,” Croddy said. “It’s about giving students at BBC a place to imagine, to collaborate and to create regardless of their major or college”. 

Powered by Students, Backed by Community 

If you’ve ever booked a time slot at the Edge Lab recently, there’s a good chance you’ve interacted with Sidratul Hashin, a sophomore majoring in cybersecurity and the current student lead for the lab. From managing appointments to troubleshooting equipment, Hashin plays a central role in making sure the lab runs smoothly each day. Hashin discovered the Edge Lab thanks to a recommendation from Honors College Dean Juan Carlos Espinosa, who recognized his curiosity and interest in hands-on learning. It turned out to be the perfect fit. Under the guidance of Juan Lopez, the Honors College’s longtime information technology manager, Hashin quickly became an integral part of the lab’s operations. 

“I handle all the appointments and daily tasks to make sure the lab is operating efficiently,” Hashin said. 

Hashin and his team were instrumental in supporting both the College of Engineering and Computing's Biomedical Engineering Senior Design Showcase and FIU’s Undergraduate Research Conference, two of the university’s biggest platforms for showcasing student innovation and research. For the senior design showcase, Hashin helped several student teams bring their prototypes to life. 

“Out of the eight teams that were presented in the last showcase, five of them used Edge Lab resources,” he said. “We supported them with 3D printing, laser cutting and other prototyping services. It’s incredible to see students from different majors collaborating to solve real-world problems”. 

The Undergraduate Research Conference, which brings together student researchers from across disciplines, was another massive undertaking for the lab. “Around 90% of the posters presented at the 2025 conference were printed by The Edge Lab,” Hashin said. “We worked around the clock to meet the demand. My team and I were there for extended hours that whole week. It was exhausting but also really rewarding.” 

                            (Hashin giving a Edge Lab tour to a group of engineering students.)

While the lab’s equipment is impressive, Hashin believes the real magic of the Edge Lab is the community it fosters. 

“The Edge Lab is a makerspace, and everyone you see inside the lab are makers,” he explained. “And when it comes to making something in the real world and something complex and complicated, it is not feasible to do it by oneself.” 

Hashin sees the Edge Lab as a hub for collaboration that transcends majors and backgrounds. 

“People from different walks of life, different demographics and different knowledge bases come to the lab and make things together. It's such a great place to gain perspective from people outside your own discipline,” he said.  

“You’ll find artists, engineers, musicians...all working on different projects, sometimes even together.” This spirit of open collaboration is part of what makes the Edge Lab such a unique environment.

The Mentor Behind the Machines 

Before the Edge Lab had cutting-edge tech, students, or even a name, it had Juan Lopez, a two-time FIU graduate and the longtime Information Technology Manager of the Honors College. Lopez has worked at FIU's Honors College for over 25 years, predating even the Honors College’s official founding, back when it was still the Honors program. Today, he is one of the key architects behind the Edge Lab’s transformation into one of the university’s most vibrant, student-powered innovation spaces. 

“The Edge Lab started in 2016 with just one 3D printer... and it sat in my office,” Lopez said with a smile.

                                                                                                            (Juan Lopez)

“That office was about 200 square feet. I’d have students coming in to use the machine while I was holding meetings. It was clear early on that there was interest ...and a real need.” 

By 2017, the demand for tools and hands-on creative space had grown so much that Lopez advocated for a dedicated space. In 2018, the Edge Lab officially moved into its current home, a 900 square-foot room in OE 165. There, the lab blossomed, adding more tools, growing its student staff and expanding its services to the wider FIU community. 

Now in 2025, the lab is once again on the verge of outgrowing its current space. A sign of both its popularity and the increasing importance of accessible, interdisciplinary environments in higher education. 

Lopez’s role in the Edge Lab goes far beyond maintaining equipment. He’s a mentor, coach and guide for the students who operate the space, helping them build not just technical knowledge, but the soft skills needed to thrive in their careers.

“I give students advice on how to fix equipment and stay safe while operating it,” Lopez said. “But I also see it as an opportunity to teach them how to collaborate, how to troubleshoot, how to work in a team and lead others. These are soft skills they may not always learn in the classroom.”  

Beyond campus, Lopez plays a key role in promoting FIU’s community outreach through the Edge Lab. For the past four years, he has led the lab’s participation in the Miami Maker Faire, a regional showcase of innovation and creativity that includes institutions like the University of Miami and the University of South Florida. 

Looking ahead, Lopez and the Edge Lab team plan to launch public workshops to help students, faculty, and community members learn how to use the lab’s equipment and tackle hands-on DIY projects. They also remain optimistic about expanding to FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, ensuring even more students have access to the resources and collaborative environment the Edge Lab provides. 

In the meantime, those interested in using the Edge Lab at MMC, whether to create something of their own or to access lab services, can stop by OE 165 during regular hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Parkview Hall satellite location is available by appointment.