All posts by blenon

STEM Events

Community College Innovation Challenge

Calling All Community College Student Innovators – Do you know a student with an entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in STEM?

For the fifth year, AACC in partnership with the National Science Foundation, is inviting community college students to participate in the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC).

The CCIC is a prestigious competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator team mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; earn travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in Washington, DC; and compete for cash awards.

The Boot Camp provides hands-on learning opportunities and coaching designed to build strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills—and includes a student poster session on Capitol Hill, and a formal pitch presentation at the Boot Camp in front of a panel of industry professionals, to determine the first and second place winning teams.

Diverse and interdisciplinary teams that include students in STEM, business, humanities, and other fields are encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE: Submissions are due by March 31, 2020.

What can you do?  
JOIN: Assemble a student team and become a faculty or administrator mentor.
SHARE: Help us spread the word and join the conversation online! Share this click-to-tweet.
APPLY: Encourage students to learn more or apply at www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com.

For questions, email CCIC@aacc.nche.edu.
#CCIChallenge2020

STEM Events

Need Judges for PW-Manassas Science/Engineering Fair – March 7

The Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Office of Student Learning cordially invites you to judge student research projects at the upcoming 2020 Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The Middle (Grades 6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12) Division fairs will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Kelly Leadership Center located at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, Virginia.

As in the prior years, judges will participate in a short training session the morning of the fair, and will be provided with a complimentary breakfast and a hot lunch, an appreciation gift – a bluetooth wireless speaker (see below), and a certificate of participation toward Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits or Professional Development (PD) points.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your time and expertise with our students by judging their projects and providing feedback for their future research.

If you are interested and available, please register at https://tinyurl.com/y5afxn8s. You will receive a confirmation email and specific details about the event and your role in January.

In addition, please consider sharing the information about this event with other potential judges.

Please contact the Office of Science and Family Life Education at 703.791.7240 with any questions you may have regarding the fair or registration. We are looking forward to working with you again this year!

STEM Scholarship

Scholarships for DCO Students

Two fantastic scholarship opportunities for Northern Virginia Community College students enrolled in the Data Center Operations Technology program. Students will be able to apply through Feb 14th.

Potomac AFCOM Datacenter Scholarship

The Potomac Chapter of AFCOM (Association For Computer Operations Management) has established scholarships for NOVA students enrolled in the Engineering Technology: Data Center Operations Specialization, A.A.S. Program.  Two scholarships of $2,000 each are being offered to cover tuition and associated fees. Additional eligibility criteria include: financial need, academic standing, and have Manassas or Loudoun listed as a primary campus. In addition to completing the general application, students will need to answer the following prompt: Why do you want to work In the Datacenter Business?”

CoreSite Datacenter Scholarships

Our friends at CoreSite and their partners have established a fund to support 15 – $1,000 scholarships for students enrolled in NOVA’s DCO Program.  The scholarship may be used for tuition and books.  Additional eligibility criteria includes:  financial need and academic standing.  The scholarship is open to both full- and part-time students who are enrolled in the Data Center Operations Specialization on the Loudoun and Manassas Campuses.

To apply, visit NOVA’s Scholarship site https://nvcc.academicworks.com/

Filing deadline is February 14, 2020

STEM Camps

STEM Camp 2020 Registration

>> Register at camp.novastem.us/enroll (goes live Wednesday Jan 29 at 10am)

At NOVA SySTEMic, we have the most exciting and educational summer STEM camps in Northern Virginia! Led by STEM teachers and college students enrolled in STEM programs, our STEM Camp program introduces Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to thousands of grade-school students.

This summer we offer the following camps:

  • Coding Elementary School (rising 3rdto 5thgrade)
  • STEM ES (rising 4thto 5thgrade)
  • STEM MS (rising 6thto 8thgrade)
  • STEM HS (rising 9thto 12thgrade)
  • VEX IQ Robotics (rising 4thto 8thgrade)
  • VEX 1 Robotics (rising 6thto 10thgrade)
  • VEX 2 Robotics (rising 7thto 10thgrade)
  • Arduino (rising 7thto 10thgrade)
  • Rocketry (rising 7thto 12thgrade)
  • Cybersecurity 1 (rising 9thto 12thgrade)
  • Cybersecurity Basic & Advanced (rising 9thto 12thgrade)

>> Full summer camp descriptions are on our website STEM Camp Page <<

Camps are focused on hands-on, project-based learning that provides students with excellent opportunities to begin exploring STEM fields and to chart a course for future STEM education and workforce opportunities.

Highlights

  • One-week camps are only $315.
  • Camps are offered at many of our NOVA Campuses, at schools in Alexandria and Falls Church City and the counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William.
  • Camps run from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Before and After Care available 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • $30 per week for Before Care, $40 per week for After Care, $70 per week for both.
  • Discounts: Multi-Child ($50), Multi-Camp (10%), NOVA/Micron/Verizon Employees ($25).

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions Form

NOVA STEM Days, STEM Expos

STEM Day Letter from Senator Mark Warner

NOVA STEM Day at the Alexandria Campus a had a special visit from Senator Mark Warner’s Office on Saturday Dec 7th in recognition of our efforts in helping develop and inspire the next generation of STEM workforce. Here’s the letter in full:

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all who are gathered for NOVA SySTEMic’s NOVA STEM Day on the Alexandria Campus.

It is vital to the future prosperity of our Nation that our young people are equipped with skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Many high-paying in-demand jobs require this type of skill set, and having a workforce trained in these areas will enable the United States to remain competitive with other nations. This event plays an important part in that skill development as it encourages students to become interested in these subject areas through fun, hands-on exhibits and workshops. I commend NOVA SySTEMic for hosting such an important event for families in Northern Virginia.

I send my best wishes for an exciting and informative event.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Warner
United States Senator

Here’s a link to our STEM Day Photo Gallery

Employee Spotlight, Fab Lab

IET Employee Spotlights – Nov 2019

The IET employee spotlight this month falls on Margaret Leary, Ph.D., Director of the CAE National Resource Center, and Richard Sewell, our new Fab Lab Manager.

Margaret Leary, Ph.D.
CISSP, CIPP/G, CRISC, CICP, CEH
Program/Campus POC

Dr. Leary has more than 30 years of experience in IT (the most recent 12 in cybersecurity) and is a Senior Security Policy Advisor to government agencies in the Washington, D.C., area. She is the Cybersecurity Program Head for NOVA and teaches a variety of cybersecurity courses at the Alexandria Campus. Dr. Leary is a member of the National Cyberwatch Center Leadership team, where she serves as the Director of Curriculum, advocating for community college cybersecurity programs. She is also a member of Infragard, ISSA-NOVA and the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu.

Dr. Leary can be reached at mleary@nvcc.edu

Richard Sewell
Fab Lab Manager

If Martha Stewart and MacGyver had a baby, that baby would be Richard. Born with DIY DNA, Richard’s childhood hobbies included sewing, knitting, model making, Lego building, and balsa wood constructing. After earning a Master’s degree in Fine Art with experience in traditional and experimental media, Richard began his career teaching full-time at Clemson University before moving to Mississippi State University.
 
In 2003 Richard left academia and opened The Proper Carpenter, a custom furniture and product design company in Fairfax, VA. After 15 successful years of working with clients such as The White House Historical Association, OMDigital, and National Geographic, Richard closed the shop and moved to Raleigh, NC to become the Creative Director of Kalisher, an agency of more than 100 artists, eccentrics, and engineers who create, commission and manufacture comprehensive art collections for properties worldwide.
Richard is thrilled to be back in VA and back teaching! When he isn’t building robots or model making in the lab, he’s building robots and model making for his 4yo daughter, playing drums, cooking with his wife, and cycling on all the local trails.

Richard can be reached at rsewell@nvcc.edu

NATM20, Robotics Competitions

Volunteer/Sponsor Opportunities for Signature Event!

 

Night at the Museum (NATM) is a 2-day VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) Signature Event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. It is a high level event that has been called “the toughest in the nation to win.” There are excellent sponsorship and volunteer opportunities for this event.

60+ high school teams from around the country will compete for top honors and one of three VEX World Championship qualifying spots! Teams qualify for this event by winning the Excellence, Design, or Robot Skills awards or as Tournament Champions in regional competitions. Click here for our NATM20 promo video

Sponsorship Opportunities
Through financial sponsorship, you make it possible for us to support the 500+ VEX teams in Virginia. Your support keeps our event partner and volunteer training free to all, reduces entry fees for signature events like NATM20, stocks 3 competition trailers for use throughout the region, and supports community teams that don’t have a local school or organization to host them. Companies often provide prizes with tournament awards and giveaways for each participant such as flash drives or power packs.

Sponsor levels for NATM20
$10K Signature Champion – not available
$5K Competition Advocate
$2.5K Skills Developer
$1K Giveaway Provider

To sponsor please contact Josh Labrie at (703) 530-2829 or jlabrie@nvcc.edu

Volunteering

The biggest volunteer needs for a successful event are Judges, Referees, Volunteers, and Field Resetters. No advance training is necessary (except for Referees). Volunteers receive meals, snacks, t-shirt and wristband. Training is on-site for most positions.

Click here to register to volunteer at NATM20 or contact Jose Algarin at (787) 466-6007 or jalgarin@nvcc.edu

NOVA Fab Lab

Fab Lab Opening in January!

NOVA’s NEW Fab Lab will be opening January 13th, 2020! A Grand Opening Week is being planned with a host of activities for students, staff, and community members!

About The Lab:

The Fab Lab will support NOVA’s A.A.S. in Engineering Technology with a focus on mechatronics and “Smart Factories.”  The technology available include mechatronics systems, 3D printers, 3D scanner, vinyl printer/cutters, plastic thermoforming machine, laser engraver, CNC wire bender, computerized sewing machines, full wood shop with CNC router, and various design software.

The Fab Lab Makerspace portion of the lab will be hosting events, workshops, and activities open to K12 students, community members, and college students and staff.  This will allow for STEM outreach and a unique venue where groups and individuals can use the technology to design, build, and collaborate.

For more information and to register for Fab Lab programs, contact the Fab Lab Coordinator, Lance Lacey, at llacey@nvcc.edu or via phone at (703) 530-3504. Also, more information is available at https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/

Click Here for Opening Week Schedule