Brown County STEM Innovation Center
Atmosphere
for Innovation
A $15 Million facility with priceless opportunity.
The STEM Innovation Center is your launchpad for hands-on learning. This 63,730-square-foot facility is home to the Resch School of Engineering and includes dynamic lab spaces, a machine shop, 3D printers and collaborative areas where you’ll work closely with faculty and peers.
Mechanical Engineering Labs
These cutting edge facilities and equipment provide students studying science, technology or engineering with a multitude of hands on learning and research opportunities. The STEM Center was designed with expansion in mind—expect to see more in the years ahead.
Fluid Dynamics Lab
Explore how water and energy move. In this lab, you'll measure fluid properties, apply Bernoulli’s equation, and work with fluid power systems. Equipment like open-channel flow systems and hydro turbines help you see how flow changes in real time—and how those changes apply to engineering.
Thermodynamics Lab
See theory turn into action. You’ll use lab equipment to investigate gas laws, heat transfer through conduction, convection and radiation. There's even internal combustion engines—but look for them on the lower level where noise and exhaust are less disruptive. This space helps you understand how energy moves through systems—essential knowledge for modern design and sustainability.
Instrumentation & Controls Lab
Get precise with how you measure and manage engineering systems. In this lab, you’ll work with calibration tools, dynamic signal analyzers and recording systems. You’ll learn how to gather, interpret and troubleshoot measurement data to improve accuracy and performance in complex processes.
Mechanics of Materials Lab
Discover how materials respond to real-world forces through hands-on testing and analysis. In the Mechanics of Materials Lab, engineering students investigate concepts such as tension, torsion, bending and elasticity while working with industry-relevant equipment. By testing materials until they deform or fail, students gain the practical knowledge needed to design safe, reliable solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing and other engineering applications.
Testing Limits
"My favorite lab experience was in Mechanics of Materials...we took a piece of steel and twisted it until it snapped. We were really surprised to see that we were able to turn it all the way around six times before it actually snapped. I enjoyed the hands-on experience of the Mechatronics Lab, specifically because it incorporated a lot of knowledge from other courses, things like materials, computer programming, machine component design and motion control, aspects that are important to automation."
Dan Mendrala '22
Mechanical Engineering Major
Design Engineer at Titan Conveyors
A Collaborative Space
In addition to the Resch School of Engineering, the Brown County STEM Innovation Center also houses The Einstein Project, Extension Brown County and Brown County’s Land and Water Conservation department.
Have Questions?
Want to learn more about the STEM Innovation Center or how you’ll gain hands-on experience in your program? We’re here to help with answers, guidance and next steps.