As 3D printing opens up new opportunities for product development, art and research, the Innovation Co-Lab is seeking student ideas for making use of this new technology in its next challenge. Read more on the Co-lab website.

Contributed by Duke’s Innovation Co-Lab

Blue Sky (bluesky.duke.edu) is a new online platform where you can discuss the things you care about at Duke. Whether it’s academics or technology, student life or extracurricular involvement, Blue Sky provides a space to think creatively and collaboratively.

The opportunity to participate is threefold: You can share your own innovative ideas; comment on those submitted by others; and connect to conversations hosted by administrators, peers, student leaders, and organizations. Recent topics include improving the independent housing model, producing meaningful engagement through social media, and envisioning the future of the Duke classroom.

Our model is simple: Share ideas. Earn points. Win prizes. Participants earn points for actions like referring friends, contributing ideas, providing feedback, and voting on the best submissions. Points can then be redeemed for gift cards, t-shirts, iPad mini tablets, and other rewards. With Blue Sky, we will build a better community, make meaningful conversations happen, and improve the way we live and work at Duke.

The Innovation Co-Lab has announced the winners of its latest “Innovation Stories” challenge, which asked students to identify and highlight innovations that are happening on campus. First place went to Eric Lam’s film “The Pratt Pouch,” which highlights a Duke laboratory that is building the next-generation medicine delivery system. Read more on the Co-Lab website and watch all the videos online.