Student FAQ

Kickbox is a way to help Elon students develop their ideas and foster innovation on campus. It is (literally) a box, stuffed with guidance, resources, and a gift card to help you fine-tune and develop your idea. What’s in the box? We can’t tell you – we don’t want to ruin the surprise 🙂

What can I make with a Kickbox?

It could solve a problem in the world, on campus, or in your room. It could be a rough prototype or a nearly-finished product. Maybe you want to explore an idea without knowing exactly what it will become. All of those ideas are welcome.

Need inspiration?

• In the past, Elon Kickboxers have made custom board games, 3D printed musical instruments, custom LED lights, a wireless charger, a robot cat, clothing, and a lot more. See what Elon students made with a Kickbox in the past couple of years: 2021, 2022 and 2023.
• It could be a hobby or a passion project.
• It could be something you hope to one day turn into a business.
• It could be a project you started in class but want to spend more time developing.
• It could be a research project.
• You can also look at one of the United Nation’s Global Problems for ideas.

How long is the Kickbox program?

You’ll get your box either in January or early in February – depending on your preference. Then, you’ll have most of the spring semester to work on your project. The program typically ends the last week in April.

Is it worth course credit?

No, Kickbox program is not worth course credit. However, you will receive the Elon Kickbox Digital Badge as evidence that you’ve completed the Kickbox process. Learn more about the Kickbox digital badge and Elon’s badging initiative here. 

Who can apply for a Kickbox?

Elon students in all majors and all grade levels are encouraged to apply for a Kickbox. We’ve awarded Kickboxes to first-year students, grad students, and everything in-between.

Can teams apply for a Kickbox?

Yes. If you want to work as a team on a project, that’s awesome. But you’ll only get one Kickbox for that project. Kickboxes are awarded per idea.

If you choose to work as a team, one person must be designated as the primary investigator for the project. This individual will be responsible for meeting all the deadlines and communicating with Kickbox program staff. Teams between 2-3 members, or co-investigators, seem to work best.

Students listed as co-investigators on a project can apply for their own Kickbox if it’s for an entirely different project. Remember, it’s one Kickbox per idea.

How many Kickboxes can I get?

Students can be the primary investigator for only one Kickbox per year. However, students can be co-investigators on more than one project. If you’ve received a Kickbox in a previous year, you can get another this year.

How do I get a Kickbox?

We have a limited number of Kickboxes to distribute each year, so it’s a competitive process that involves a few steps.

1. Think of an idea for a project that you can make significant progress on during the spring semester.
2. Identify a faculty or staff sponsor who supports your idea (start now). You will need to talk with your sponsor before submitting an application. If you need help finding a sponsor, email makerhub@elon.edu.
3. Complete an online application explaining your idea and why it’s worth pursuing. Applications open in November.
   
4. Receive confirmation that your Kickbox project was accepted (late December).
5. Attend an in-person workshop (approx 1 hour) at the start of your Kickbox project in early January or early February, depending on your timeframe. You will receive your Kickbox at this session.

What are the requirements if I get a Kickbox?

By taking a Kickbox, you agree to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Make substantial progress on your idea by working through the activities included in the Kickbox.
2. Update your project notebook with regular check-ins (at least 4) about your progress.
3. Attend five 1 hour meetings throughout the semester with other Kickbox students.
4. Show your project at the Maker Takeover of the Moseley Center in late April.
5. At the end of Kickbox, you’ll submit all your receipts and a spreadsheet with all your expenses, return the Visa card with any remaining funds and equipment used in your project, and complete a post-project survey.

What if I don’t fulfill the requirements of the Kickbox?

If you do not complete the requirements as outlined in this document if you leave the project or Elon University, or in the unlikely event you are asked to leave the project, you agree to return the Visa card, as well as ALL materials and tools to the Maker Hub within three business days. You may be held accountable for any missing funds on the Visa card. You will also not be allowed to receive Kickboxes in the future.

What if my project fails?

That’s okay. Failure is a natural part of making. It’s expected. The important thing is that you learn from these failures to better prepare for your next project. You will still be required to complete all the responsibilities of the Kickbox – like regular updates and presenting about what went wrong and how it could be fixed.

What are the responsibilities of the faculty/staff sponsor?

All Kickbox recipients are required to have a faculty or staff member sponsor their idea. The role of the sponsor is to make sure the idea or project has some basis in reality, and to provide you with guidance during your project. You’ll meet with them several times during the Spring. The sponsor should have experience in the domain you’ll be exploring with your Kickbox. Learn more about sponsor expectations.

How do I find a faculty/staff sponsor?

You’ll want to find a faculty or staff person with previous experience that could help you as you develop your idea. Start with professors and staff persons you already know. Explain your idea to them and ask for their recommendations about who to talk to next. Faculty and staff at Elon know each other and will likely know who could help. If you need help finding a sponsor, email makerhub@elon.edu and we’ll help you identify someone.

What kind of funds are in the Kickbox?

The Kickbox has a $300 pre-paid Mastercard that can be used anywhere that accepts credit cards.

What can I buy with my card?

The funds in the Kickbox are to help make your idea a reality. Making it a reality will likely involve a lot of different things. These could include:

• materials
• tools
• the advice of professionals and peers
• attending a workshop that costs money
• purchasing software
• travel to a conference or meet-up
• just about anything, really

There’s no way for us to know what you’re going to need to build and refine your idea. To make it as simple as possible for you to get what you need, we’re giving you near-total freedom with how you spend your funds. If you can honestly justify it for your project, then it’s OK to spend your funds on it. Purchases of illegal substances and weapons are prohibited.

In exchange for this freedom, you will be required to track your expenses in an online spreadsheet and submit your receipts at the end of your project. You may have to pay back any funds that are not accompanied by a receipt, so be sure to document everything. We’ll provide you with a budget spreadsheet template in Excel to help you track expenses.

Who owns the stuff I buy with my Visa card?

You maintain ownership of your idea and anything you build as part of this project. You are also welcome to keep any materials you purchase for your project. Any tools that you buy should be returned to the Maker Hub for use by other Elon makers. Examples of tools that should be returned are: a soldering iron used to solder parts of your project, an oscilloscope to measure electrical signals, and a power drill to drill holes. We recognize there is a gray area in this definition, so please direct any questions about what should be returned to makerhub@elon.edu.

What if I don’t use all the money on my Visa card?

That’s great – you can return it to the Maker Hub. This project has limited funds, so any money you don’t use will go toward helping another Elon maker build their idea.

What if I need equipment that isn’t in the Maker Hub?

Let us know. Equipment like table saws, welding tools, and other traditional workshop equipment is available at Elon. We can work with you to facilitate access to those tools in workshop areas around campus.

Kickbox applications are reviewed by Maker Hub student staff, Teaching and Learning Technology staff (TLT), and by select faculty members serving on the Academic Technology Committee (ATC).

Adobe originally developed Kickbox as a way to inspire innovation among their employees. They have made the materials available for others to use for free. We’ve modified their version to make it a better fit for Elon.