Dragon Activities, Takeaways, and More

Tucked away in Drexel’s Antionette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is one of Philadelphia’s greatest audio archives: Sigma Sound Studios. Once a hub for legendary artists like Patti Labelle and Stevie Wonder, the studio’s master tapes now live at Drexel where students help digitize decades of music history. Among the treasures? Unreleased and “lost” tracks by none other than David Bowie. Through Drexel’s Audio Archives, students not only get experience handling rare analog recordings, but they also help uncover pieces of music history that may have otherwise been hidden forever.

Did you know that the classic Thanksgiving dish green bean casserole has Drexel roots? It was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a Drexel graduate who began working at Campbell’s Soup Company in a test kitchen after graduation. Reilly was tasked with creating new recipes using Campbell’s products and thus the Green Bean Casserole was born! Her simple and beloved recipe earned its title of “the mother of all comfort foods” and a spot in the National Inventors Hall of Fame — securing Dorcas’ place in food history.

Drexel University’s Engineering Technology students are putting their skills to the test by designing and installing a new security system for the Bellet Building in partnership with curation specialists. This hands-on project is an example of Drexel’s experiential learning approach by allowing students to tackle real-world challenges before they graduate. From conception to installation, students are involved in every step of the process.

Drexel’s Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection is home to an exciting first: the University’s first ever student-curated fashion exhibit. Titled Green, the exhibit explores sustainability, symbolism and pop culture’s relationship with color. One of the standout pieces? brat by Charli XCX — an iconic and timely statement in the world of fashion and music.

Winter walks across campus may soon be easier thanks to self-heating sidewalks. This ongoing effort aims to create a more environmentally responsive and resilient infrastructure and minimize damage caused by inclement weather. While still in the planning phase, reducing ice buildup will make Drexel’s walkways safer and more accessible during the colder months.

Our campus is also home to green spaces cultivated entirely by students. The Drexel Urban Growers (DUG) program empowers students to grow fresh produce right on campus through a series of urban gardens. These student-led plots aren’t just about sustainability, they’re about community. At their core, DUG believes all community members should have consistent and convenient access to fresh food regardless of socioeconomic status. From planting kale to hosting gardening workshops, they are helping turn city corners into thriving ecosystems.