Category Archives: Fab Lab

Community STEM Teams, Fab Lab, NOVA Fab Lab, Robotics, Robotics Competitions, STEM Education

VEX Community Teams and Friday Night Robotics

VEX Community Teams (VRC & VEXIQ)
Registration Closes Oct 15 http://vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

VRC (VEX Robotics Competition) Teams
Participants will build MOBY, a VRC robot to compete in the VRC game Tipping Point. Students will learn how to compete in the VRC yearly competition, make an engineering notebook to document team decisions on robot design, develop a game strategy and create an autonomous program to play the game. This session is perfect for students who want to compete in robotics.

After students learn the game, develop a game strategy, and have a solid foundation of engineering and programming, they will be allowed to make advanced modifications to their robot as well as explore more advanced programming features to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their robot on the field.

In addition to the weekly meetings there are Friday Night Robotics in the Fab Lab (every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month) where it is open to any teams to come build, program and scrimmage. This is optional for the community teams but encouraged.

There will be opportunities to compete in robotics competitions as well and teams can register for an additional fee to participate.

Oct 5 through Dec 14, 2021 on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm at the NOVA Manassas Trailside Building.

Grade Level: 6th to 10th

Registration Fee $349 ($50 discount when you register 2 people)
http://vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

VEX IQ (VIQC) Teams
Participants will continue building FLING, a VIQC robot to compete in the VIQC game Pitching In. Students will learn how to compete in the yearly challenge, make an engineering notebook to document team decisions on robot design, develop a game strategy and create an autonomous program to play the game. This session is perfect for students who want to compete in robotics.

After students learn the game, develop a game strategy, and have a solid foundation of engineering and programming, they will be allowed to make advanced modifications to their robot as well as explore more advanced programming features to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their robot on the field.

In addition to the weekly meetings there are Friday Night Robotics in the Fab Lab (every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month) where it is open to any teams to come build, program and scrimmage. This is optional for the community teams but encouraged.

There will be opportunities to compete in robotics competitions as well and teams can register for an additional fee to participate.

Oct 7 through Dec 16, 2021 on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm at the NOVA Manassas Trailside Building.

Grade Level: 4th to 8th

Registration Fee $349 ($50 discount when you register 2 people)
http://vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

Friday Night Robotics at the NOVA Fab Lab

The NOVA Fab Lab is open on Friday nights for VEX teams to scrimmage and work on their robots throughout the year.

The 1st and 3rd Friday’s of the month are designated for VEX IQ Challenge (VIQC) teams and the 2nd and 4th Friday’s for VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) teams.  A game field will be available along with space for teams to work.

Sessions will start on Sept 17 from 5 to 10 pm and continue until the Virginia State VEX Championship in March 2021.

A one-time registration fee of $10 per participant is required for this recurring event at fablab.novastem.us/FridayNightRobotics (NOTE: Parental consent is required in the registration process as each participant needs to register – coaches cannot sign-up their entire team in one registration).

#WeDoSTEM

Computer Science, Fab Lab, Information Technology, STEM Articles, STEM Degrees, STEM Education, STEM Workforce

VA Ranked #1 State for Tech Talent Pipeline

Virginia ranks as the “Best Business Climate” and the “Top Tech Talent Pipeline” in the nation, according to Business Facilities’ 17th Annual Rankings Report, released this week. Home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world, Virginia also tops the magazine’s “Cybersecurity Leaders” chart.

“Virginia has undertaken the most impressive effort in the U.S. to fill the national shortage of skilled workers in the data-centric sectors that are driving economic growth in the 21st century,” said Jack Rogers, editor-in-chief of Business Facilities.

“World-class universities are partnering with industry giants to add thousands of new computer science grads to Virginia’s rapidly expanding tech workforce. This combination positions Virginia to defend its tech talent pipeline leadership for years to come,” Rogers added.

California, New York, North Carolina and Maryland round out the top five, respectively, in Business Facilities’ new Tech Talent Pipeline state ranking, which evaluates each state’s tech talent investments, STEM-oriented education programs and partnerships between industry, universities and EDOs, among other weighted factors.

Business Facilities noted that Virginia is injecting more than $2 billion into a Tech Talent Investment Program that cumulatively represents the largest state commitment to computer science education, aiming to create an additional 31,000 computer science graduates in the Commonwealth while strengthening computer science programs at the elementary and secondary school levels.

Click here to download the full report.

Official Tweet from NOVA IET

#WeDoSTEM

Fab Lab

Fab Lab Events March – April 2021

NOVA Fab Lab Design Challenge 

The NOVA Fab Lab Design Challenge is due April 15! The Challenge is to invent and design a product which transforms typical household items or materials into a toy or game.  

Open to middle school, high school, and college students.  Grand prize winner will receive a 3D Printer, design software, and fabrication of their product!  For more details visit www.nvcc.edu/systemic/fablab.html

Virtual Fab Lab Tours 

Would you like to learn more about the NOVA Fab Lab? Then attend a virtual tour and live information session. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, see images and videos of lab activities, and receive an overview of Fab Lab programs.  Free and open to the public. April 29 and May 21.

Register at http://steminar.novastem.us/Register 

NOVA Fab Lab Presents at the ACCT National Legislative Summit

On February 8 the NOVA Fab Lab had the opportunity of presenting a live virtual Design Challenge at the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Legislative Summit.  Participants were given time to collaborate on an interactive whiteboard to brainstorm ideas for a SWAG (promotional item) alternative that illustrates the awesomeness of Community College education.  One solution was chosen: a business card like multi-tool, with QR code linking to the college website, and the catchphrase – Instant degree…just add time.  As participants finalized the design, the multi-tool was quickly prototyped and created on a laser cutter via live video!  

 

Fab Lab, Virtual STEMinars

Virtual STEMinars Wrap-Up

Our virtual spring STEMinars recently concluded with a total of 1,509 participants in over 48 different topic sessions.  Virtual sessions were offered on coding, cybersecurity, laser engraving, 3D printing, digital design, robotics, and cloud computing.

Participants included K-12 students, college students, community members, NOVA faculty/staff, and some national and international participants.  Session facilitators included NOVA faculty and NOVA Fab Lab staff, and Cybersecurity sessions were offered in partnership with the ISACA Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter.

New sessions are scheduled to be offered in the fall. https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/steminars.html

Fab Lab

NOVA Fab Lab PPE Donated in Fight Against COVID-19

During the the COVID-19 crisis we were eager to use our new Fab-Lab capabilities to design and manufacture DIY face shields for the citizens on the front lines. However, with the Lab closed and access to machinery limited we faced some hurdles. We decided to design, prototype, and fabricate two entirely different versions that could be made simultaneously on separate machines. This has allowed us to double our anticipated production even while working remotely.

On May 29, we delivered NOVA Fab Lab crafted PPE to the oncology team at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. NOVA Systemic Fab Lab guru Richard Sewell assembled 300 (plus more to come) Laser-Cut Cast-Acrylic Face Shields and Gerry Hofler from the NOVA Medical Education Campus facilitated the delivery.

For more details check out the Fab Lab PPE blog at: https://nvccppe.wixsite.com/fablab

Community Service, Fab Lab, IET Newsletter

NOVA Fab Lab Staff producing PPE Masks!

Being makers and designers at heart, the staff at NOVA’s Fab-Lab wanted to do their part during this crisis by manufacturing DIY face shields for the citizens on the front lines. However, with our Lab closed and access to machinery limited we faced many hurdles. Since our portable equipment would struggle to keep up with demand, and raw materials were already in short supply we took the initiate of designing two different versions that could be made simultaneously. We can now make five laser-cut versions in the time it takes to make one 3D printed model. Since we have five 3D printers in circulation and one laser cutter, we can produce approximately 100 shields a day.

We have just started full production and can’t wait to distribute our first batch to those in need!

More info will be on next months IET Interface Newsletter

Fab Lab, IET Events, IET Newsletter, Professional Development

Fab Lab – Upcoming Workshops

WORKSHOPS: 

Code & Operate a Mini Robotic Car! – March 16
Participants will learn to program and operate a small robotic car.  Activities include use of different sensors (ultrasonic, IR, color), line-following, and driver versus autonomous control.

Laser Cutting & Engraving – March 17 & April 7
Participants will learn how to use a laser system to cut and engrave acrylic and glass.  Participants will be able to keep the items they make, including an engraved drinking glass.  For beginners.

Intro to 3D Design & Printing – March 21
Would you like to learn how to draw and 3D print a design? Do you have no to little experience with CAD (computer aided design) software and 3D printing?  If so, then this is the class for you!

Creating Prototypes & Solving Design Challenges – March 24
Participants will learn to use various machinery (3D printer, plastic forming center, wire bender, etc.) and a CAD (computer aided design) software program to solve design challenges.

Arduino & Raspberry Pi – March 24 & 31
Participants will learn how to build circuits with Arduino and how to build their very own website using Raspberry Pi.  This workshop is intended for beginners with no experience.

Mother’s Day Gift Making – April 29
Use your creativity and some technology to create a Mother’s Day gift at the NOVA Fab Lab!  We will help you design and personalize a gift using one of our 3D printers.  No 3D printing experience necessary.

>> Click here for more details and to register for workshops

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Community Open House – March 14
Open to the public with free hands-on activities for all age levels!  Click here to Register

Thursday Demo Nights
Each Thursday we will be giving an overview and demonstration on how a specific piece (or group) of fabrication equipment works.  Register here

 

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

Fab Lab, IET Newsletter

Fab Lab Progress Update

The new Fab Lab at NOVA’s Battleview Technology Center in Manassas is scheduled to open in January 2020!  Most of the equipment is installed and we are currently working on scheduling and program development for 2020.  NOVA’s Fab Lab consists of a designated area for NOVA’s Engineering Technology program and a Makerspace area that will be open to the college and community.  The Engineering Technology students will have access to state-of the-art equipment such as modular automation systems, high and low voltage electronics, fluid and power control systems and a full “Smart Factory” mechatronics system.

The Fab Lab Makerspace is a unique venue where groups and individuals can come to create, collaborate and use STEM related technology.  The technology available include 3D printers, a 3D scanner, vinyl printer/cutters, plastic thermoforming machine, laser engraver, full wood design room with CNC router, and design software including AutoCAD, Auto Desk Inventor, SolidWorks and Adobe Creative Suite.

The Fab Lab Makerspace will be hosting events, workshops, and activities open to K12 students, community members, and college students and staff.  Field trips to the lab for public, private, and homeschool students will include a variety of STEM related opportunities for creating and learning, along with summer programming for children.  Workshops and trainings will be available on a myriad of topics including use of specific fabrication equipment, wood working, design software, electronics and coding, robotics, electronic fashion design, teacher professional development and more.  Furthermore, the lab will also host private and special events, and include open sessions where individuals can use the space to create and work on their own projects.

For more information on Fab Lab programs contact the STEM Fab Lab Coordinator, Lance Lacey, at llacey@nvcc.edu or (703) 530-3504.