The Magic of Learning by Doing

Students say sitting in a classroom is a great way to learn, but when you add hands-on work, the experience is amplified. It’s like learning in stereo.

Irwin and Joan Jacobs never forgot their lean days as students. Photo: David Butow

Giving Back

Irwin and Joan Jacobs, who never forgot their lean days as students, give MIT $30 million to support graduate fellowships.

Nobel laureate Phillip Sharp says MIT’s new cancer center will blend science and engineering to find new treatments for cancer. Photo: Ed Quinn

The Third Revolution

Nobel laureate Phillip Sharp says MIT’s new cancer center will blend science and engineering to find new treatments for cancer.

Jim and Pat Poitras say they hope their gift will help many in their lifetime. Photo: Chris Casler

Fulfilling a Dream

Jim and Pat Poitras commit $20 million to the McGovern Institute for Brain Research to support mental illness research.

Prof. Paola Rizzoli was inspired by the floods in her hometown to study how and why coastal waters ebb and flow. Photo: Ed Quinn

Trapped in Venice Flood

Prof. Paola Rizzoli, once trapped in a Venice flood, now studies why coastal waters ebb and flow.

Prof. Gerbrand Ceder is doing his part to realize the promise of plug-ins. Photo: Ed Quinn

Battery Technology

Prof. Gerbrand Ceder has developed a new battery, which he hopes will power a plug-in hybrid car that can recharge in the garage at night.

Lauren McClellan is an 18-year-old freshman, who has been an actress nearly 10 years. Photo: Len Rubenstein

Double Career

Freshman Lauren McClellan, who plans to become a structural engineer, has been an actress for 10 years.

Mark Gorenberg makes a major gift to MIT. Photo by Marc Longwood

Returning the Gift

Mark Gorenberg ’76, who says MIT had a big impact on his life and career, makes a major gift to the Institute to return what he has received.