The discovery of graphene has given rise to the rapidly growing field of materials that are only one atom thin. These materials go beyond the metallic graphene to include semiconductors, insulators, magnets, superconductors and other diverse forms of matter. Projects in this stream work on building atomically thin heterostructures or "sloppy sandwiches" with disparate atomically-thin materials to create new designer materials with designer properties. Students work with their hands to first isolate microscopic flakes of atomically-thin materials and detect them using various top-of-the-line equipment such as atomic force microscopes and very high resolution optical microscopes. They then work with set-ups to micro-manipulate these tiny materials. Further goals include fabrication of nano-devices using these materials, electrical testing of devices and measurement at ultra-low temperatures (my lab works at temperatures fractions of a Kelvin above absolute zero and is the coldest place in the state!) to study exotic quantum effects. This research provides students exposure to the latest developments in quantum materials, novel measurements and exotic physics at ultra-low temperatures. It helps them to pick up and/or further develop experimental skills using their hands, building setups, working with electronics, learning data acquisition, analysis and communicating science. As a result, students are involved in every step of the scientific process toward developing skills valued both for graduate school and by the industry.