The Mercer XLab provides open access to electronic instrumentation, electronic parts, student-led technical support, technician support, and curated educational modules to foster a growing learning ecosystem.
Mercer X Education Modules are an interconnected database of RPI-student curated skills that live in the “cracks and valleys” between fundamental knowledge taught in class and practical applications that explore questions or solve real-world engineering problems. This system is organized into major Focus Area topics (e.g., IC Design, PCB Design, Robotics, Quantum Computing, AI and Machine Learning, Power Systems, and more) and is accessible to students in all disciplines, anytime, anywhere. Some Education Modules come with challenges that require creativity and design. When those challenges are complete, Skill badges are offered at three levels. The first badge level acknowledges learning completion, the second badge level acknowledges the use of the skill in a project, and the third badge level acknowledges teaching someone else the skill. Every education module is also available to the public and is tailored to entice curious minds to learn by doing BEFORE coming to RPI (targeted enrollment strategy) and after leaving RPI (alumni engagement). Mercer X Student Workers are required to develop and test these modules throughout their semester. They have generated over 50 different Education Modules crossing many ECSE Focus Areas. Some are ready to test out, others have started, and a few more are nascent ideas that need brilliant minds to contribute.
Please email Mercer XLab Director, Prof. Shayla Sawyer, if you’d like to contribute knowledge to this growing resource. We are looking for great ideas!
If you’d like to get involved as a Mercer X Student Worker (paid or for credit) or Mercer X Undergraduate Researcher, please fill out the following Spring 2026 Join Our Team form.
