Experiential Learning through Cross-Campus Cooperation: Simulating and Initiating Technology Transfer

Abstract

Entrepreneurship class projects investigated market opportunities for a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Center for the Commercial Development of Space. This article describes how a cross-campus project addressed two entrepreneurship education issues and two technology transfer issues important to many universities. First, the projects facilitated interdisciplinary learning and students' understanding of the process of entrepreneurship. Second, the business school and NASA center projects enhanced the management relevance of the MBA experience for participating students. Third, by investigating potential market applications for exotic compound materials manufactured in a low orbit around the Earth, the projects advanced technology transfer of university- and government-sponsored research. Finally, the projects offered an initial step toward commercializing university- and government-sponsored research outputs by emphasizing market applications and commercial development plans. This example presents a foundation for developing other interdisciplinary projects to enhance MBA education relevance and entrepreneurial process education, with particular focus on university research technology transfer and research commercialization.

Keywords

commercialization entrepreneurship process education management education MBA relevance NASA Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center technology transfer thin-film materials

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