NOVA Fab Lab Grand Opening Celebration

NOVA’s first STEM Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab), located at the newly acquired Battleview Technology Center in Manassas, will support NOVA’s A.A.S. degree in Engineering Technology and provide a unique area where individuals and groups can create and collaborate! Projects, courses, events, field trips, competitions, and private events will be offered to K-12 and college students, teachers, life-long learners, and community members. Additionally, the lab will be available for use during “open lab” sessions.

The lab features workspaces with 3D printers, a 3D scanner, a laser engraver, a plastic thermoforming center, a vinyl printer/cutter, a large format CNC router, a mini desktop CNC router, a CNC wire bender, computerized sewing machines, a full woodworking shop, as well as a computer-aided design (CAD) computer lab.

The NOVA Fab Lab will open today, January 13. A variety of events and activities are planned throughout the week to celebrate this highly anticipated opening made possible by generous donations from Micron and others.  

Thanks to the NOVA Community College Education Foundation, the following will take place free of charge:

Faculty and staff are invited to a luncheon to learn about NOVA’s new Fab Lab and the opportunities it will provide for NOVA staff/students and the community. Participants will also be able to view equipment demonstrations and receive a tour of the lab.

Option 1 – Tuesday, January 14 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Option 2 – Thursday, January 16 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This event is sponsored by the NOVA Education Foundation and the Manassas “Brown Bag Series.” Lunch will be provided and registration is required. It is only open to NOVA’s faculty and staff. Register here.

The following Open Houses will be held at the NOVA Fab Lab:

Friday, January 17 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Students and staff with a valid NOVA ID can explore the FabLab, watch demos, and participate in mini-workshops involving laser engraving, robotics, sewing electronics, and more! Pizza will be provided at noon and no registration is necessary.

Mini-workshops will last 20 minutes and will occur at 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 18 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Open to the public and no registration is necessary. Community members will be able to explore the Fab Lab, watch demos, and participate in mini-workshops involving laser engraving, robotics, sewing electronics, and more!

Mini-workshops will last 20 minutes and will occur at 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.