Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: February 18th, 2026
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
TODAY! TECHNICAL CAMPUS MAKERSPACE CRAWL
Wednesday, February 18⋅ 12:00 – 1:00pm ⋅ RSVP
Dive into the engineering side of making! This crawl highlights UC Berkeley’s more technical spaces, starting with the Jacobs Hall Makerspace and continuing through the Mechanical Engineering Student Machine Shop, Cory Student Workshop & Supernode, and the College of Environmental Design Fabrication Lab. See specialized tools in action and learn how to get involved. Bring your curiosity—and comfortable shoes!
SOAR Graduate Technical Assistant Job Opening
We’re hiring Graduate Student Workers to support SOAR operations at Richmond Field Station. This role focuses on evening and weekend shop coverage, supporting student engineering teams like CalSol, FSAE, and Berkeley Formula Racing. If you have hands-on fabrication experience, strong shop safety instincts, and enjoy mentoring undergraduate project teams, we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more about the position, see Work Study job #1162828459 or Handshake job #10723917
Please send a cover letter and resume to joeygo...@berkeley.edu
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS WITH WORKSHOPS in the Jacobs Makerspace
Become acquainted with a new skill, learn more about the resources and materials available at Jacobs, and connect with our community! FREE but Maker Pass required. Learn more and reserve your spot today!
2/19: RoboDRAW - Learn to operate a Kuka robot
2/23: Jewel of my (Laser) Eye - Make jewelry with a laser cutter
2/26: Intro to Rhino - Unlock the potential of 3D modeling
3/5: Intro to Grasshopper - Dive into the world of parametric design
3/12: Advanced RoboDRAW - More with the Kuka robot
3/18: Making a Chess Set - Create using laser cutting, 3D printing, and more
Federico Casalegno _ Executive Vice President of Design @Samsung Electronics
Tuesday, February 24 ⋅ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM ⋅ 310 Jacobs Hall (3rd Floor) • RSVP
Federico is Executive Vice President of Design at Samsung Electronics. Based in San Francisco, he leads the Samsung Design Global Studios and the Samsung Design Innovation Center. He also oversees the Next-Generation Experience Planning Teams in Seoul and the Computational Design teams, driving the use of advanced computing in product development.
He drives multidisciplinary teams to imagine the next wave of human-centered AI and design meaningful experiences that enhance everyday life. As a designer, innovator, and social scientist, Federico blends technology, culture, and creativity to shape the connected products and services of the future.
Prior to joining Samsung, Federico was an Associate Professor of Practice at MIT, teaching at both MIT and the MIT Media Lab while founding and directing the MIT Design Lab and the MIT Mobile Experience Lab. Earlier in his career, he worked at Motorola and Philips Design, creating pioneering product experiences. He has received honorary professorships from the Glasgow School of Art at the University of Glasgow and from Jiangnan University’s School of Design in Wuxi, China. His contributions include numerous peer-reviewed papers, books, articles, and multiple awards for design and innovation.
Federico earned a PhD in Sociology of Culture and Communication from Sorbonne University in Paris.
Come for the talk, stay for refreshments and conversation.
CREATIVE CAMPUS MAKERSPACE CRAWL
Wednesday, February 25 ⋅ 12:00 – 1:00pm ⋅ RSVP
🎨 Explore the artistic side of making! This crawl showcases creative spaces across campus, beginning with the Jacobs Hall Makerspace and visiting the Library Makerspace, Berkeley Art Studio (Helen Diller Anchor House) and the Art Studio & Creative Lab (MLK Jr. Building). Discover hands-on resources for design and self-expression—and don’t forget comfortable shoes! RSVP to reserve your spot!
SU26 BERKELEY ENGINEERING DESIGN SCHOLARS APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
The Berkeley Engineering Design Scholar Program is a 10-week summer research program open to all continuing UC Berkeley undergraduates in the College of Engineering or with relevant experience in design innovation. This program aims to increase diversity in the field of design and provide underrepresented students with research experience they may not have had otherwise. The Scholars actively contribute to the growing design ecosystem at UC Berkeley—participating in seminars, workshops, and special events with members of the design community, including their cohort of fellow undergraduate Design Scholars, graduate students, and faculty. In addition, they learn and practice critical skills of making through the Maker Pass program. Scholars also receive a $6,500 stipend. The per week commitment will fluctuate, but students should prepare to be able to commit at least 20 hours/week towards research.
We are offering the Berkeley Engineering Design Scholar Program as an in-person, on-campus experience in summer 2026, from June 1st through August 7th. For more information, please watch this recording of one of our information sessions that includes a previous alumni of the program. Join one of our upcoming information sessions:
SU26 Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars Information Session #2
Wednesday, February 25 ⋅ 10:00 – 11:00am ⋅ Register here
Apply for the 2026 Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars Program by Monday, March 9th. Scholars will be matched with faculty mentors once they are accepted into the program. To learn more about the program, please contact Janrey Javier (janrey...@berkeley.edu). Learn more about the Scholars from prior cohorts here.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST
non-Jacobs Institute-affiliated events, opportunities, and programs—at your fingertips.
Paid Research Study on AI Use and Feedback
We are recruiting individuals to participate in a research study examining how people interact with generative AI tools during design-related tasks. In this study, you will complete a short design task in which you use a generative AI system. The system may present different forms of feedback during the task, and your participation will help us better understand how such feedback shapes interaction patterns, reflection, and tool use.
Participation will require 1 hour of your time. Participants will be compensated with a $20 gift card, distributed via Tango. Tango gift cards can be redeemed for a wide variety of popular retailers. The study will be conducted in-person in Sutardja Dai Hall on the UC Berkeley campus.
Eligibility criteria
Must be 18 years of age or older
Fluent in English
Must live in the United States
Have some experience using generative AI tools (ex: ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
If you are interested, please fill out this brief screening survey and we will follow up with scheduling details.
Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without penalty. Your decision to participate will not affect your grades, position, or status at UC Berkeley or elsewhere.
Thank you for your time and interest! If you have any questions please contact Nicole Goridkov (gori...@berkeley.edu).
DanceHack 2026 - RESONANT BODIES
DanceHack is a 3 day festival with workshops, collaborations and mini performances created on the spot!
Join Kinetech Arts at the University of California, Berkeley for DanceHack 2026 - Resonant Bodies on Feb 20-22, 2026!
This in-person event will bring together dancers, choreographers, scientists, enginners, and interdisciplinary artists to explore the intersection of dance, science and technology. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just curious, this event is perfect for anyone interested in pushing boundaries, exploring new creative possibilities and adding their voices in the development of humancentric technologies.
Don't miss out in this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and create with like-minded individuals.
We offer sliding scale prices so that everyone can participate! Honestly, pick the tier that is appropriate to you. No questions asked! We trust our community! Student registration is $50 for a limited time.
Learn details at www.dancehack.org. Register here.
Interested in volunteering? Complete this form. It is first come first serve, with a max of 10 sign up spots and registration is free.
Drew Cameron of Combat Paper
February 26, 2026, 12:30- 1:30pm, Jacobs Hall Rm 310 (3rd Floor)
Drew Francis Cameron pulps military uniforms into handmade paper. Through Combat Paper workshops he facilitates the process; offering material and space for people to deconstruct various uniforms forming them into sheets of paper and artwork.
A former soldier and Iraq War veteran, Cameron has worked with a traveling studio modality throughout the country for the previous two decades. Responding to American wars and the aftermath through paper, print and book, Combat Paper frequently works within the ranks of those actively and formerly in the US military. Cameron’s studio work has been presented and exhibited internationally. His books and print editions are in numerous public collections and libraries throughout the country including the Library of Congress. He maintains his paper studio and residence in Iowa City, Iowa.
Drew is a guest lecturer for ESPM 150: San Joaquín: Fluvial Reckonnections taught by Ignacio Chapela, Environmental Science, Policy & Management — but this lecture is open to all!
3D Printer Filament Reclamation Team is Seeking Volunteers
Mondays, 5-7 PM | Jacobs 10C (Basement)
Housed under the Zero Waste Research Center in the Student Environmental Resource Center (SERC), the 3D Printer Filament Reclamation Team is researching to create a closed loop system on campus to produce recycled PLA 3D printer filament from excess and wasted 3D prints from campus labs. This semester, the team is looking for interns to help granulate, extrude, 3D print, and mechanically test the filament. Meetings are on Mondays from 5-7 PM at Jacobs 10C. Please reach out to Carissa Loverme at cmlo...@berkeley.edu for more information.
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This newsletter was created with assistance from artificial intelligence to help summarize events and programs.
To add your event to the Jacobs Student Newsletter, please contact Janrey Javier at janrey...@berkeley.edu.
Get your Jacobs Maker Pass and get access to a world-class prototyping and fabrication facility — training and mentorship by professional staff included.
If you require accommodation for a disability for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Jacobs Institute staff at jacobsi...@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event.
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