Drop-In Lab Fridays will be held Fridays beginning February 20, 2026, through April 17, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.* to support prototyping or design for faculty or student research. Please let us know you're planning to drop in by emailing us at jmuxlabs@jmu.edu. 

During Drop-In Lab Fridays, faculty and students will be able to:

• Engage in conversations with JMU X-Labs Innovation & Impact Student Fellows of interdisciplinary skill sets to assist with brainstorming and developing ideas.
• Access groupthink areas such as The Loft, Lab, and Tank to collaborate in teams (no sign-up required).
• Access low fidelity model making equipment to make physical and digital models.
• Use the advanced Lab equipment, under the supervision of the Lab Manager, to further their prototypes and models.

*There will be no Drop-In Lab Hours on Friday, March 20, 2026. Special JMU X-Labs events may be happening in conjunction with Drop-in Lab Fridays and will be shared on our Upcoming Events & Deadlines calendar.

JMU X-Labs spaces - The Lab, Loft, and Tank - have the tools in place to support your creativity, invention, research and more. Learn more about our home in Lakeview Hall: JMU X-Labs Spaces.

Students in JMU X-Labs courses collaborate with peers and faculty from different colleges and diverse disciplines, using a design-thinking approach to tackle real-world problems. You’ll be working with students and faculty inside and outside of your major – a key ingredient to fostering imagination and innovation!

Curious about what makes JMU X-Labs courses unique?

• Focused on a Real-World Problem to Solve: Each course at JMU X-Labs starts with a big question or challenge. From there, we follow a special problem-solving approach called design thinking.
• Taught by Teaching Teams: Every course session is team-taught by professors from different colleges, a design-thinking facilitator, and occasionally an industry expert.
• Small Class Sizes: With an average course size of 20-30 students, students benefit from guided discussions and meaningful team collaborations with students outside their discipline. 
• Held in Non-Traditional Learning Spaces: Courses take place in The Lab (Lakeview Hall 1150) and The Tank (Lakeview Hall 1160), classrooms equipped with the latest technology and equipment, as well as tools to inspire collaboration and innovation. 

Check out our current course offerings: Current Courses. 

The Innovation & Impact Student Fellowship Program offers one-academic-year fellowships for students to work alongside the JMU X-Labs team, gaining leadership and career experience while serving as ambassadors of JMU X-Labs across campus.

Learn more about becoming an JMU X-Labs student fellow: Innovation & Impact Fellowship Program.

Launched in January 2022, the JMU Esports program is growing rapidly and serves students as players, casters, and marketers.

Learn more about the program: JMU Esports.