Welcome to the Learning Factory

The Learning Factory is a place where Penn State students, faculty, and staff–particularly those from Engineering although all are welcome–can “learn by doing”. We provide the equipment and training for visitors to have amazing hands-on learning experiences. Our new facility in the Engineering Design and Innovation building supports a vast array of activities, from metal and wood shop work to CNC embroidery, additive manufacturing, and blacksmithing.

Although our facility is provided by the University, nearly all of our support comes from private donors and our corporate partners. Their belief in the Learning Factory mission makes everything possible and allows us to provide world-class experiences to a wide variety of students. For example, since its inception, the Learning Factory has coordinated more than 3,000 client-sponsored capstone projects for 750+ different sponsors, and more than 15,000 engineering students.

Whether you are a Penn State student, faculty member, or staff, we invite you to come and learn about us! The first step is our basic safety training, which is required use of any space.

If you are an individual or company we invite you to learn more about our mission and how to support it.

And if you are not a Penn State student, faculty, or staff and are looking for making facilities, we invite you to check out the Innovation Hub, which supports activities for community members.