The Spring 2026 Capstone Retreat challenged students to think expansively, evaluate critically, and collaborate across disciplines. Over two days, Master of Business and Science (MBS) students in the course, “Science and Technology Management Capstone,” gathered on campus for team-building activities, workshops, and a field trip to a site of innovation—Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey.
All Master of Business and Science (MBS) students take part in the course “Capstone,” where they work in groups to identify a science-derived intellectual property (IP) and develop a business plan to take it to market. This course is led by Dr. Tom Bryant and a team of expert instructors and coaches
At the end of the semester, each team presents an impressive pitch to a panel of judges, or “angel investors,” consisting of individuals with expertise in entrepreneurship, investment, and startups. Students are also cross-trained as investors, evaluating the work of their classmates.
Day 1
The first day of the retreat kicked off with a skunkworks project. Students were instructed to take “research materials” from a collection of food items. In teams, students brainstormed new product ideas within a set time and repeated the exercise to generate even more ideas that met different criteria. This exercise demonstrated the critical need for brainstorming in any organization. Students then select their top ideas and craft a 30-second pitch, and the exercise finishes with “market research”—a class vote on top products.
Students could then tailor their retreat experience by choosing from a selection of workshops covering topics such as project management, cybersecurity for startups, strategic problem-solving, presentation design, innovation, and more.
Dr. Bryant shared the story of how the button changed fashion—an example of a small innovation with a lasting impact.
Day 2
The retreat concluded with a bus trip to Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Located in West Orange, New Jersey, visitors step back in time to walk through a preservation of Thomas Edison’s residence and laboratory. Students broke into groups and heard from Bryant, park wardens, and Paul Israel, Director and General Editor of Thomas A. Edison Papers at Rutgers. Students learned about the journey, impact, and lasting legacy of the famed inventor—and how the right leadership and resources can create a culture of sustained innovation.
The Capstone Retreat is open to all MBS students, including online students. Students from across the United States came to campus for the event, including Vinez Lyde, who traveled from Dallas, Texas.
“I believe I built a good culture within the program via online, and with this being the last semester, I wanted to see the fruits of my labor of being able to connect with students that I’ve had projects and different classes with,” said Lyde. She was able to meet her professors in person and share with them the impact of their courses. If you are an MBS student interested in attending one of our in-person events, learn more on our residency opportunities webpage.
The MBS degree has a profound impact on students. One student, Rachel Growney, shared how the course “Principles of Communication and Leadership” inspired her to change her trajectory and her career.
“[Professor Cashman’s] course gave me the encouragement and skills to speak to my boss about making a career change and utilizing his help to get me there,” said Growney. “Having all this background data and knowledge from her class helped me present that to him in a way that was professional and confident.”
To learn more about the MBS “Capstone” course, read about end-of-semester presentations.