Category Archives: Fabrication

ATE PI Conference 2024, BUILD Welding NSF Grant, Conferences, Data Center Operations, DCO PD NSF Grant, DCO Professional Learning Fellowship, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Fabrication, In-Demand Technology Pathways, NSF Grants, PDI NSF Grant, Product Design Incubator (PDI)

Promoting NOVA Grant Funded Programs at the ATE PI Conference in DC

3 grant award programs showcased at the annual DC event

The 2024 NSF ATE PI (Principal Investigator’s) Conference successfully wrapped up this month in Washington, D.C., gathering over 850 ATE (Advanced Technical Education) grantees and partners from across the U.S.

The event provides a valuable opportunity for sharing innovations and fostering collaboration among educators in advanced technological education. Teams from NOVA SySTEMic and NOVA IET attended, as well as students from NOVA’s Product Design Incubator (PDI) program, to actively raise awareness about National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded initiatives through presentations, spotlight sessions, and networking events.

NOVA highlighted 3 different NSF grant award programs in spotlight sessions and through ATE Connects, a hub for networking and collaboration where ATE projects are showcased with posters, materials, and discussion.

The 3 highlighted NSF grant awards were:

  1. Data Center Operations Program Development (DCO PD), which seeks to support colleges across the country in developing programs, courses and content to increase capacity for data center education through 3 components; A DCO Professional Learning (PL) Fellowship for educators, An awareness and recruitment campaign through ACTE’s national conferences, and a Data Center Education Digital Resource Hub. More info about DCO PD can be found here. 
  2. The Product Design Incubator (PDI), which prepares community college students for success in digital fabrication through a product design challenge, guiding them from ideation to final presentation. PDI’s goals are to increase industry engagement, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and produce IET workers with strong communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills – all highly valued by regional employers. To date, PDI has completed 2 cohorts at NOVA. In 2025, we plan to accept our last cohort of 24 students and increase collaboration with our industry and academic partners. More about PDI here.
  3. BUILD: Futures in Welding and Fabrication. The NSF BUILD grant is a new and developing program that will enhance welding instruction at NOVA by redesigning and restructuring courses to align with industry demands, addressing the regional need for a new generation of skilled welders in an aging workforce. BUILD will offer additional support resources to welding students, boosting their competitiveness in the job market. BUILD has 4 goals: to rebuild and modernize the welding credential, to develop a welding fabrication capstone course, to improve access to welding co-curricular support, and to increase outreach to High School students. More about NOVA’s welding program can be found here.
Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Engineering Design Challenge, Fab Lab, Fabrication, STEM Competitions

The Next Fab Lab Design Challenge is Here!

The Challenge

Fabricate an innovative product or enhance an existing product designed specifically for the human head.

Description

Ready to dive into a head-spinning adventure? Your mission is to create or revamp a product that’s all about the noggin! Whether you’re thinking helmets, headpieces, or any bold and imaginative concept that honors the human head, we want to see your wildest ideas come to life.

 Design Categories: 

  • Protection: Imagine next-gen gear to keep our heads safe in any situation—be it work, sports, or even during extreme weather! What will make your design stand out?
  • Medical: Innovate headgear with a focus on health and comfort. From dental headgear to other medical necessities, how can your design improve patient care?
  • Fashion Forward: Let your creativity shine with headgear that’s all about making a fashion statement. How will your design turn heads and set trends?
  • Status Symbol: Create or upgrade a headpiece that exudes elegance and prestige. Think crowns, tiaras, or any symbol of high status. How will your design make a statement?
  • Hair Containment: Design a stylish yet functional way to manage and showcase hair. From sleek to quirky, what’s your solution for hair-taming?

Who’s Eligible?

To be eligible, participants must be current students residing in the continental U.S. The competition will feature two age divisions: 10-15 years old and 16 and up.

Dates:

September 1st – Design Submission Portal Opens
November 17th – Design Submission Portal Closes at 11:59pm November 17th – Finalists Announced
December 13th – Awards Ceremony

Prizes:

Division Champions – $500
Division Runner-up – $250
Division Honorable Mention – $100

*Divisions are 10-15 years old and 16+.

How to Submit:

All entries must be submitted online. You will submit your product design digitally using the Entry Form. If chosen as a finalist, fabricated product must be delivered to NOVA Manassas Campus.

Entry Form:

The Entry Form will walk you through the required components which will include:

  • Name of product
  • Written description of your intended user and the purpose of your design (maximum 500 words).
  •  Documentation of your completed instrument
    • QTY 3-5: high-quality, still, color, digital images of your finished headwear (jpeg, jpg, tif, tiff, png, pdf)
    • Preferably on a neutral (white, grey, black) background
    • Multiple views are suggested (top, front, side, perspective, etc.)
  • Video documentation demonstrating  headwear being worn by the intended user
    • 15-30 second (mp4, mov)(160 MB max)
  • Evidence of fabrication
    • QTY 3-5: high-quality photos documenting your production and fabrication techniques and process. (jpeg, jpg, tif, tiff, png, pdf).
    • Should span the process from beginning to end

Note: Any uploaded files must be PDF, JPEG, PNG, STL, OBJ, SVG, DOC, DOCX file types.

 Judging Criteria:

 Functionality: Consider the practical aspects of headgear. How does your design enhance performance, provide protection, or address specific needs? Think about features such as weather resistance, ergonomics, or technology integration.

Aesthetics: Balance form and function. How does your design stand out visually? Explore materials, colors, and shapes that make your headgear not only functional but also fashionable and distinctive.

Innovation: Push the envelope with creative solutions. Incorporate new technologies, materials, or design techniques. How does your design reflect cutting-edge trends or offer new possibilities in headgear design?

Target Audience: Identify and cater to a specific user. Whether it’s an athlete, fashion enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, or everyday user, ensure your design meets their unique needs and preferences.

Sustainability: Consider the environmental impact of your design. Use eco-friendly materials and processes wherever possible and address the lifecycle of your headgear.

 Scoring Rubric                                                                100 Pts Total 

Functionality                                                                                    30

Aesthetics                                                                                          20                                           

Innovation                                                                                          20

Target Audience                                                                              20

Sustainability                                                                                    10

 FAQ

Should the headwear be designed for me?

You’re welcome to design headwear tailored to your own needs and preferences. Alternatively, you can also create something for another person with a specific requirement or purpose in mind. The choice is yours!

Can I recreate traditional religious or ceremonial headwear?

Yes, but please ensure that your design is approached with respect and sensitivity towards the cultural and religious significance of the original. We encourage creativity while maintaining a respectful attitude towards the traditions you’re inspired by.

What materials can I use?

Practically anything! Consider the wearer, the intended functionality, and design accordingly. If you don’t have access to specific materials, choose an alternative that best represents your vision. (For example, if you’re designing a helmet meant to be metal, you might use cardboard or 3D print it and then apply a faux metal finish.) Feel free to experiment with unconventional materials and textures to push the boundaries of traditional headwear.

Does scale matter?

No, the size of your design should be determined by the function you want it to serve.

How will I demonstrate the functionality? 

For the online submission, you must provide photographs of your headwear and a brief video showcasing the design being worn by yourself or the intended person. If you are chosen as a finalist, you will be required to present your design in person at the Awards Ceremony.

RULES AND REGULATIONS: 

  1. The Challenge is open to students 10+ years old and above including post-secondary educational institute within the continental USA.
  2. Participants must be 18 years or older or provide consent by a parent or guardian over the age of 18.
  3. Participation is open to individuals, or teams with no more than 3 members.
  4. Only 1 entry per person is permitted regardless of whether they enter as an individual or a team. If a participant enters one design as an individual, and a second as a team, the individual entry will be disqualified.
  5. The Challenge is not open to; any persons employed as a professional in 3D printing, employees of Northern Virginia Community College, judges or any of their families, and employees and families of the NOVA Annual Design Challenge sponsors.
  6. Judges will select finalists from the online submissions. These finalists will then be asked to deliver and leave their fabricated designs at the Fab Lab for in-person judging.
  7. Once judging has been completed, an awards ceremony and exhibit of all the physical entries will be held for competitors, winners, VIPs, guests, and judges.
  8. Competitors presenting work that is not their own will be disqualified.

 TERMS & CONDITIONS:

  • Agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges.
  • Warrant that you are eligible to participate.
  • Warrant, to the best of your knowledge, your work is not, and has not been in production or otherwise previously published or exhibited.
  • Warrant neither the work nor its use infringes the intellectual property rights (whether a patent, utility model, functional design right, aesthetic design right, trademark, copyright, or any other intellectual property right) of any other person.
  • Warrant that your design is respectful and considerate of all cultures. Designs that are deemed offensive or disrespectful will not be accepted.
  • Warrant participation shall not constitute employment, assignment or offer of employment, or assignment.
  • Agree participation does not entitle compensation or reimbursement for any costs.
  • Agree Northern Virginia Community College and all affiliates have the right to promote all entries and winners.
  • Winners will be contacted by NOVA Fab Lab staff to get their contact information and any other information needed.
  • Winning Product will be chosen based on the Rules and Requirements.
  • Winning individuals or teams will be required to collect prize(s) at the NOVA Manassas campus during award ceremony.
  • Winners agree to the NOVA Community College Image release

For additional information visit the Design Challenge website or send questions via email to; mratcliff@nvcc.edu (use the subject heading “2024 Fabrication Challenge”) 

FREE Design Challenge Resources and Workshops

Fabrication Workshop (10-15 Years Old). Sat, Sept 28, 9-11am

For participants interested in learning various hand-building techniques, the workshops will include demonstrations and hands-on activities covering cardboard methods, paper-mâché form-building, and wire crafting. (Please note: A parent or guardian must be in attendance).

Fabrication Workshop (16+ Years Old). Sat, Oct 12, 9am-11am 

For participants interested in learning to transform two-dimensional materials into three-dimensional objects. The workshops will include demonstrations and hands-on activities covering cardboard construction techniques and laser cutting.

TinkerCAD (10-15 Years Old). Sat, Oct 26, 9am-11am 

For participants wanting to transform their idea into a 3D digital format: Join an in-person TinkerCAD workshop to learn the basic tools and user interface of Autodesk’s free online CAD program. (Please note: A parent or guardian must be in attendance.)

Fusion360 Workshop (16+ Years Old). Sat, Nov 9, 9am-11am

For participants wanting to transform their idea into a 3D digital format: Join an in-person workshop to learn the basic tools and user interface of Fusion360. (Free software download available with .edu email.)

Participate in one or both workshops to enhance your fabrication skills! Register here

Educator/Classroom Informational Sessions via Zoom

Register for a 15 minute-long Design Challenge info session on any Wednesday from October 9th – October 23rd, 2024, at 2:30 or 3:30PM. Feel free to project us on a big screen to present to your class or group. Register Here.

Educator Reference Guide

Download our educator reference guide for various ways to implement the Design Challenge in your classroom.

Download Educator Reference Guide

 

Conferences, Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Engineering Technology, Fab Lab, Fabrication, IET Events, NOVA Fab Lab, NOVA IET, NOVA STEM Faculty, SkillsUSA, STEM Awards, STEM Competitions, STEM Events, Student Success

NOVA SkillsUSA Students Reflect On Their National Success

Last month NOVA’s SkillsUSA students had some big outcomes at the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.

Heidy Sandoval and Alait Mesfune won silver in Commercial sUAS Drone, Lauren Traversa, Mateo Aguilar, and Nyan Prakash took bronze in Engineering Technology Design, and Claudio Molina also won a bronze medal in Principles of Engineering.

This month, we caught up with the winning students to learn more about their experience at Nationals.

Heidy Sandova and Alait Mesfune: Silver Medal in commercial sUAS Drone

Heidi and Alait were the first students at NOVA to compete in commercial sUAS Drones, and after all their dedication and hard work, came away with a silver medal!

This competition evaluates team skills and job readiness for careers in drone technology within the National Airspace System, recognizing outstanding performance in real-world scenarios.

Sandoval said  “I served as the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) and my teammate served as the Visual Observer (VO). As the RPIC, I was responsible for the overall safety, regulatory compliance, and effective operation of the sUAS during its flight.”

“Being the first to at NOVA to compete in Commercial sUAS Drones, we were tasked with finding mentors and resources to help us prepare for this competition. Fortunately for us, we had an amazing team at the NOVA Fab Lab that was able to help us connect with other Drone experts in our area who were able to offer us their help. We spent restless hours learning how to fly our drones through loops, landing on elevated surfaces, knocking down balls with our drones, and countless nights testing ourselves on our FAA Knowledge.  I also made many professional connections that are beginning to incorporate drones in their workspace and I hope to be able to work with them in the future.”

Sandoval also talked about her next steps:

“After placing 2nd place at Nationals, we were offered a Drone course, all expenses covered, for our FAA Part 107 with CrossFlight Sky Solutions. Now, I’m actively working on getting licensed to fly commercially and I will be starting my business with aerial drone photography while I’m in school. From there, I want to get involved with search and rescue using drones.”

Her Drone partner, Alait, added her reflections on the competition and preparation for it:

“The SkillsUSA competition demanded significant dedication and hard work. Venturing into the field of drone piloting was both thrilling and challenging, as our team had to navigate this field independently. Countless hours were spent in the fabrication lab, where we experienced numerous cycles of flying, failing, and persevering—similar to the repetitive labor a tradesperson undertakes to master their craft.”

“As we competed this year, our inexperience led to many mistakes, but the unwavering support of our advisors, Justin, Andy, and Mary, was invaluable. I want to especially thank Dr. Elena Ziu, whose enthusiastic support and introduction to a crucial mentor significantly bolstered our efforts.”

“The competition demanded immense energy, yet the benefits far outweighed any concerns about its value. It afforded me the opportunity to acquire practical skills in a growing field, demonstrate my abilities before industry experts at one of the nation’s premier competitions, and compete for a medal. The support from our advisors, the financial backing from the NOVA Foundation for supplies and travel, and the chance to connect with individuals nationwide were all invaluable aspects of this experience.

Undoubtedly, this competition was profoundly enriching for my personal and professional growth.”

Claudio Molina: Bronze Medal in Principles of Engineering

The Principles of Engineering category assesses a competitor’s grasp of basic technical concepts in applied sciences and their ability to demonstrate and explain these concepts in action. Claudio triumphed with a car transmission design, something practical in real world application that needed teamwork for him to succeed.

“The possibility of even making it through States [the SkillsUSA State Championship in April] wouldn’t have been conceivable without the support of my fellow NOVA students and the guidance of the Fab Lab staff. I think NOVA should continue to encourage students to compete in SkillsUSA as it provides a real-world focus on what they would like to do in their careers and lives,” he said.

Lauren Traversa, Mateo Aguilar, and Nyan Prakash: Bronze medal in Engineering Technology Design

In this category, students design and present an innovative engineering project with a display and live model. The trio designed and built a prototype Automatic Dog Trainer.

“Getting to compete through SkillsUSA was an incredible experience,” Lauren said. “I was able to learn so much in such a short period of time and get the kind of hands-on experience a lot of students don’t get until after they graduate.”

Mateo added “participating in the engineering design competition was a unique experience, unlike any other competition I’ve been involved in. One of the most challenging aspects was the necessity to create something completely novel.”

He explained how his team had to lay out plans for construction of the dog trainer and numerous other components which they hadn’t experienced before. Although it was a bit daunting, he described it as an incredible learning experience because it required his team to learn about designing around unknowns.

“Overall, I’m happy with the growth I experienced in this short period of time. Everyone on our team learned a lot, and I feel much more capable after having completed it,” he said.

Mohamed Laouiti earned a SkillsUSA Skill Point Technical Certification and Jonathan Solomon earned a SME Additive Manufacturing Certification.

Jonathan described the national conference as an “incredible experience” where he saw the latest in technology and explored projects in different career fields. He also had the opportunity to network with representatives from companies like Autodesk, Mercedes-Benz, and Delta Airlines.

“I met great, smart people striving to be the best in their field. Being surrounded by them provided a valuable experience that will serve me well in my future endeavors. The experience has been unforgettable, and the skills I learned along this journey with SkillsUSA will help me long after I leave NOVA. A special thank you to Mary Ratcliff, Justin Owen, Andy Chavez, Patrick Waters, and the entire Fab Lab team!”

SkillsUSA Championship competitions are created and judged by industry leaders to ensure students learn the real-world skills employers seek in entry-level professionals. These contests focus on some of the most highly skilled and in-demand trade areas in the country.

To get involved with SkillUSA at NOVA, you can find more info here

 

Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Fabrication, Fellowships, NOVA Fab Lab, NSF Grant, Product Design Incubator, Product Design Incubator (PDI), Professional Development

PDI Entrepreneur Group Spotlight: Hermes Net and We Nudge

NOVA Fab Lab’s Product Design Incubator (PDI): From Idea to Reality 

Sixteen NOVA fellows from various academic fields, including business administration, computer science, engineering, and more, participated in NOVA Fab Lab’s second Product Design Incubator (PDI), funded by the National Science Foundation.

Fab Lab Coordinator Richard Sewell is the program lead, with IET Project Manager Chris Russell and Associate Professor of Business Administration Cameisha Chin serving as co-leads.

“The goal of PDI is to take students without any design experience and help them create a fully formed idea,” Chris explained.

Fellows learned entrepreneurship skills during six spring semester workshops, designed and prototyped a project during a summer product design incubator, pitched their project to regional entrepreneurs, and received a stipend upon completion.

To start, five groups of fellows brainstormed ideas using the Disagio Model. “Disagio” is an Italian word meaning “discomfort” or “unease.” A disagio is something that bothers you, a source of a problem that recurs in your mind over and over again. After identifying numerous disagi, groups chose one that resonated with all of them. Here we take a closer look at two of our groups: Hermes Net and We Nudge.

Hermes Net

Engineering student Helina Semu, engineering and welding student Matthew Manero, general studies student Kyle Morrison, and business management student Stephanie Marino designed “Hermes Net,” a product that uses drones to provide cellular service to areas affected by natural disasters. Hermes Net is named after Hermes, the Greek god known as the “messenger.”

Kyle explained, “During a natural disaster, local cell towers are often down, causing phones to connect to distant towers, which then become overloaded. Our drones, positioned higher in the air with a better line of sight, would receive signals from the phones and distribute the load to more distant cell towers, alleviating the congestion.”

Embarking on such an ambitious project was both exciting and challenging. “There are various aspects to our project including aerospace, electronics, communications, business, and organization,” Matthew said.

Other challenges included being unable to find information about a specific drone they were interested in, including its cost and size, and having difficulty finding products to compare theirs to, considering their particular product hasn’t been designed before.

Despite these challenges, when asked if they would recommend PDI to their NOVA peers, they replied with a collective, “Absolutely.” They mentioned gaining technical skills, soft skills, public speaking skills, discovering new passions, graphic design, Adobe, 3D printing, soldering, and more.

“I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s well-structured, fun, and I’ve learned so much in so little time,” Helina said.

“I loved working with this team,” Stephanie shared. “I loved the aspect of interdisciplinary collaboration because we have such a wide range of talents. It felt like our project had a life of its own—we got to know it as we created it.”

“It’s been amazing getting to know our mentors, teachers, and guest speakers,” NOVA PDI fellow Stephanie Marino said. “They openly shared things they’ve learned along the way and mistakes they’ve made. It made me appreciate the wealth of knowledge this school has. This project and the Fab Lab are wonderful.”

We Nudge

While four fellows collaborated on the “Hermes Net” project, two fellows,  Cloud Computing student Camila Lemes Goncalves and engineering student Katie Velasco-Nunez, designed “We Nudge,” an application that merges a navigation system and digital calendars and sends appointment reminders and traffic updates.

They came up with the idea after noticing how often classmates, as well as themselves, arrived five to ten minutes late to class. “We call it the lateness syndrome,” Katie said.

“We text each other: I’m running late today. I forgot to grab my cell phone. I parked far away today. I left home late. Just little things that make you late. A lot of people feel a connection with our project—being late is a big issue,” Camila shared.

“It’s been interesting to research how being late affects not only the person who is late, but also the person(s) who has been waiting for them,” she added.

Although Camila and Katie were originally part of a team of four, two members of their group exited the program along the way. They were given the option to split up and join other groups or invite others into their group, but they decided to stick together as a team of two. In effect, their workload increased, but so did their trust, connection, and communication.

Both of them recommend PDI as well as the Fab Lab. “It’s been fun getting to learn new things, creating a website, and seeing our project come together,” Katie said. “Resources in the Fab Lab helped a lot.”

“I applied to PDI after I found out about all of the resources in the Fab Lab, including the 3D printer and the laser machine. It’s a great program and will look good on my resume,” Camila said.

NOVA Fab Lab’s PDI shows how teamwork across different fields can lead to innovative ideas. The skills and experiences these students gained will help them in their future careers.

Career & Technical Education, Fabrication, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Interpersonal Skills, Mentoring, Skilled Trades, SkillsUSA, Student Success, Uncategorized

NOVA’s SkillsUSA Students Bring Home the Medals!

NOVA Students Win 23 Medals at SkillsUSA State Championship!

At the SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference, held in Virginia Beach on April 23, students from NOVA won 14 gold medals, 5 silver, and 4 bronze!

Each gold medalist was declared a State Champion in their respective competitive event, including Additive Manufacturing, Commercial sUAS Drone, Computer Programming, Engineering Technology Design, Interactive Application and Video Game Development, Job Interview, Job Skills Demonstration Open, Principles of Engineering Technology, and Related Technical Math. All gold medalists qualified for the SkillsUSA National Championship in Atlanta in June.

In total, there were 8 individual champions and 6 team champions, consisting of a two-person and three-person teams. Below are the winning NOVA students and their respective events:

Competition # on team NOVA Student/SkillsUSA Member SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference 2024 Placement
Additive Manufacturing 2 Nickolas Cowen State Champion
Additive Manufacturing 2 Tariq Aldalou State Champion
Commercial sUAS Drone 2 Alait Mesfune State Champion
Commercial sUAS Drone 2 Heidy Sandoval State Champion
Computer Programming 1 Serhat Erdogmus
Computer Programming 1 Mohamed Aziz Laouiti State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Julio Gagnon
Engineering Technology Design 3 Misandratr’Avo Andriamasino

 
Engineering Technology Design 3 Thomas Choe
Engineering Technology Design 3 Lauren Traversa State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Mateo Aguilar State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Nyan Prakash State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Benjamin Yam
Engineering Technology Design 3 Kanykei Korosheva
Engineering Technology Design 3 Maddie Gebremichael
Interactive Application and Video Game Development 2 Cinthia Terceros State Champion
Interactive Application and Video Game Development 2 Ugur Aksu State Champion
Job Interview 1 Lemar Ali State Champion
Job Skills Demonstration Open 1 Liza Alekseeva State Champion
Principles of Engineering Technology 1 Jonathon Gebremichael
Principles of Engineering Technology 1 Claudio Molina State Champion
Tanjim Redhwan 1 Related Technical Math State Champion
Kiera White 1 Technical Drafting

Feedback from SkillsUSA students included the following:

Claudio Molina won 1st place in the Principles of Engineering category with his design of a car transmission. “Without support from NOVA, I wouldn’t have had the materials needed to build a five-speed manual transmission system,” Claudio said. “The Fab Lab in Manassas was particularly helpful. It provides a great work environment with a friendly, supportive staff who guided me on the materials and tools to use. Without the lab, I wouldn’t have been able to undertake this kind of project.”

Lauren Traversa, Mateo Aguilar, and Nyan Prakash took 1st place in the Engineering Technology Design category with their Automatic Dog Trainer.

“Without the resources provided by NOVA, we definitely wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this,” Lauren said. “The help from faculty like Mary, along with the Fab Lab and resources such as 3D printers and various supplies, was crucial. They not only assisted us throughout the competition but also managed all the arrangements needed for the event. This support was critical to our success.”

“The most important aspect was Mary’s incredible support at the Fab Lab; she stayed late, which was really awesome,” Mateo says. “Having the Fab Lab open for extended hours was crucial. I’d like the Fab Lab to offer even longer hours. Most of us competing are based at the Annandale Campus, making it challenging to travel to the Manassas Campus where the Fab Lab is located. I’m really grateful for Mary’s flexibility. Moving forward, my next step is to develop the Automatic Dog Trainer into an actual product that I can sell.”

Kanykei Korosova, Benjamin Yam, and Maddie Gebremichael took 2nd place in the Engineering Technology Design for their Radio Control Airplane.

“It was great, honestly. Having support from the Fab Lab really made a difference,” Benjamin said. “Mary provided the materials on time, which was fantastic, allowing us to start working immediately. It was also nice to connect with other like-minded individuals involved in the project. Mary, Justin, and Andy were very supportive; they not only scheduled the trip to Virginia Beach but also organized the entire club and set up the competition. It provided a good platform. We were fortunate to have access to ample resources, which was a big plus.”

“This is my second time participating in SkillsUSA, which is awesome,” Kanykei said. “I felt more comfortable presenting this time; it just came naturally to me. I didn’t have to force anything, and surprisingly, there wasn’t much need for additional practice because of my previous experience. Overall, it was a good experience that gave me significant exposure to the field I’m entering.

“In terms of leadership, my involvement has been extensive. For example, I started the Virginia Tech Engineering Transfer Club and became the president of the Student Government Association (SGA). This allowed me to immerse myself in a community that was naturally aligned with my field. Becoming a leader in clubs related to my interests felt like a natural progression into SkillsUSA.”

“NOVA gave me the opportunity. There was help and support from mentors and professors,” Maddie said. “It helped me realize my potential. It was a great opportunity.”

Alait Mesfune and Heidy Sandoval took first place in the Commercial sUAS Drone event.

“I just wanted to give a shoutout to Mary and Justin at the Fab Lab. Their mentorship was crucial for us in the competition,” Heidy said. “Without their help, we wouldn’t have made it this far. Also, a big thanks to NOVA for making it all possible; without their funding and resources, we wouldn’t have been able to participate in this amazing opportunity. They set us up for success by providing us with study guides and drone equipment. And SkillsUSA, sponsored by NOVA? It was a blast! It gave me something to look forward to this semester, and I was able to make new friendships along the way!”

The State Leadership Conference allowed students to use the technical knowledge acquired in the classroom to solve real-world problems and apply what they had learned, with coaching and advising from industry professionals, in a competitive environment. Now, they have the chance to represent NOVA on the national stage!

 

3D Printing, Architecture, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Fabrication, Makerspace, Math, NOVA Fab Lab

Spotlight on NOVA Makers: Andy Polcha

Andy Polcha, a NOVA student with aspirations to become an architect, finds the Fab Lab a canvas for his Art History and Architectural Drafting class projects and an integral part of his educational journey.

 Utilizing the Fab Lab’s advanced F series printer, Polcha has been able to create intricate 3D plastic models. One notable project is a reliquary (which traditionally houses sacred relics) for his Art History class, crafted from an entire spool of plastic and refined with a sodium hydroxide solution to achieve a polished finish. Polcha’s reliquary cleverly splits in half to reveal a hidden compartment which holds a gem owl, a cherished gift from his aunt.

In addition, he has crafted a variety of models, including a gazebo, columns, arches, and doors. For his final project in Architectural Drafting, he designed a house in classical style.

Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Italian Renaissance architects such as Michelangelo, Bernini, and Palladio, he references Architectural Treatises to refine his designs. To bring his ideas to life, he navigates Blender, a free software he compares to playing a piano – where each key performs a distinct function and mastering them all is essential. “Blender is notorious for being difficult because it encompasses everythingーthe renderer, animation tools for crafting full 3D animated movies, compositing, texture work, and much more,” he explained.

He has also utilized the Fab Lab’s resources to print professional-quality photos for set designs, drawing inspiration from the works of Italian Renaissance architect Vignola. These photos were then used in a local community theater production, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.

Currently pursuing an associate degree in General Education with aspirations for a bachelor’s degree in architecture, Polcha has always been passionate about building, a hobby that began in childhood with Lincoln Logs, Legos, and blocks. Despite early struggles with math that cast doubt on his potential as an architect, recent years have seen a significant boost in his confidence, largely due to his enthusiasm for Art History and Architectural Drafting courses.

After graduating from NOVA, Polcha aims to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, or the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Reflecting on his experience at NOVA, Polcha said, “I love it because everything you need is here. The math center has been very helpful. They have a counseling center. If you want to do well, you almost have no choice but to do well. You will be successful in some way.”

The Fab Lab is a world-class makerspace open to all NOVA students, faculty, staff, and the wider educational community. Its mission is to cultivate a comprehensive experience in the Digital Fabrication realm by providing access to cutting-edge fabrication processes, training in 3D modeling, and fostering a foundation in the principles of Design Thinking and creative problem-solving.

“Everybody at the Fab Lab is nice and personable. I enjoy being there because whenever you seek help, they’re always willing to collaborate and figure things out together,” he shared.

Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Fabrication, NOVA Fab Lab

Spotlight on a NOVA Design Challenge Award Winner

Tariq Aldalou, winner in the post-secondary division, brought in some middle eastern enrichment with his design.

Tariq triumphed in the Design Challenge by creating a unique musical instrument inspired by his origins in Damascus, Syria. He designed a Mini-Oud, a variant of the Arabic Oud, that resembles a lute.

Aldalou’s version, crafted from PLA (polylactic acid filament) using a 3D printer, measures 60cm by 30cm (an Oud traditionally measures 67cm by 36cm). It features lasercut wood hexagon sound holes and maintains the conventional 11 strings of a traditional Oud. To preserve its authenticity, he applied a matte finish and included dust remnants from the sanding process, also creating two smaller prototypes.

Encouraging participation, Tariq advises, “Join the challenge, even if you’re starting from scratch or your tools aren’t perfect. It’s all about learning and growing. My friends and I, despite time constraints, are eager to dive in, ready to embrace mistakes as part of our progress. We encourage everyone to get involved and explore, even with the simplest of ideas.”

Tariq initially got involved when he sought guidance for an engineering project from his physics professor, Francesca Viale. She recommended utilizing the resources at the Fab Lab.

After completing the NOVA Makers course on Canvas, Aldalou took an in-person class led by Kai Le, an evening support specialist. He also received aid from Mihai Ziu, a dual-enrolled high school student, in mastering the Tinkercard program and Autodesk Fusion 360 software.

Additionally, he took an online Zoom course taught by Ziu to become proficient in the Prusa slicer. Currently, he dedicates two evenings a week, from 5 pm to 9 pm, to his lab projects.

Aldalou shared, “I’m involved in various projects, including circuit design and signal transmission. I tend to procrastinate, but the deadline for the design challenge kept me focused.”

With the design challenge behind him, Aldalou is now focusing on a remote-controlled plane project, echoing his childhood passion for making and selling toy planes in Syria. In those days, he applied simple mathematics and basic materials like glue sticks, A4 paper, pens, scissors, and paper clips to bring his creations to life.

Pursuing degrees in engineering and math, Aldalou’s initial career aspirations leaned towards piloting. However, frequent relocations and a desire for family time shifted his focus to computer engineering, fueled by his love for math and experience in building computers in Lebanon.

He credits his NOVA success to professors like Viale and Chinthaka Hettitantri, his calculus instructor, and appreciates the ongoing support from his high school counselor, Michael Todd, and the Fab Lab team, especially Kai Le.

Aldalou aims to graduate from NOVA this year with associate degrees in engineering and math, planning to transfer to George Mason University for a bachelor’s degree in computer science. His ultimate goal is a PhD in mathematics, aspiring to make significant contributions to quantum computing.

 

Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Fabrication, NOVA Fab Lab, STEM Awards

Design Challenge Winners Awarded

In early February, winning students for NOVA’s 5th bi-annual Design Challenge were honored at an award ceremony at the Fab Lab. The challenge this time was for middle school, high school, and post-secondary students to design and fabricate a unique musical instrument.

Mary Ratcliff, Fab Lab coordinator and organizer of this year’s challenge, said, “I didn’t realize I had put together the toughest challenge yet. Not only did I ask students to create a one-of-a-kind unique product, but I also required that it produce repeatable, predictable sounds.”

There were awards for participants at each school level, with NOVA students Ethan Cortes and Tariq Aldalou taking home the grand champion and post-secondary division titles, respectively.

Ethan Cortes from NOVA was named the Grand Champion with his innovative creation, the “Tri-Blown.” With a deep passion for brass instruments, Ethan designed an instrument that covers the full spectrum of brass sounds. Made from 3D printed PLA and tubing, the “Tri-Blown” can switch between three tubes and adjustable mouthpieces, emulating the deep resonance of a tuba, the rich tones of a trombone, and the bright notes of a trumpet—all in one instrument.

Cortes enthusiastically recommends the Design Challenge, noting his efforts to encourage participation among his STEM friends, despite their time constraints. He found the experience both enjoyable and educational, enhancing his skills in 3D printing and Autodesk Inventor design. “Winning aside, the experience has been incredibly valuable for my education and future. I’m grateful for being named the grand champion and look forward to involving my friends in the next event,” he said.

Tariq Aldalou, representing NOVA, clinched the Design Challenge title in the Post-Secondary Division with his innovative Mini Oud, made from 3D printed PLA and laser-cut wood. Tariq’s creation raises the bar for future competitions. Encouraging participation, Tariq advises, “Join the challenge, even if you’re starting from scratch or your tools aren’t perfect. It’s all about learning and growing. My friends and I, despite time constraints, are eager to dive in, ready to embrace mistakes as part of our progress. We encourage everyone to get involved and explore, even with the simplest of ideas.”

Sawyer Degregori and Trevor MacDuffee from Woodgrove High School were crowned the High School Division Champions for their creation, the “Double Quena.” Made from PVC, their design offers a contemporary twist on one of the oldest known instruments, the whistle, resulting in a flute-like instrument that has gained popularity within their school. Trevor shared, “All of the band students have really enjoyed playing it.”

Max Choe, representing Kilmer Middle School, was named the Middle School Division Champion for his creation, the “Air Keys.” Crafted from 3D printed PLA and integrated with microelectronics, this innovative instrument features small caps for the fingers. By flexing the fingers within these caps, users can produce sounds reminiscent of piano keys. The “Air Keys” stand out for their creative design, merging technology and traditional musical elements in a novel way.

The panel of judges for the challenge included Ilya Tëmkin, a professor at NOVA; Justin Owen, the NOVA IET CTE Coordinator; Chris Russell, Project Manager for the Information and Technologies division at NOVA; and David Tuohey, a Senior Process Engineer at BAE Systems in Manassas. BAE Systems has generously supported the design challenges through financial sponsorship since 2022.

Opened in January 2020, the Fab Lab stands as a premier makerspace welcoming students, faculty, staff from NOVA, and the broader educational community. It is dedicated to enhancing knowledge of digital fabrication by providing access to advanced fabrication techniques and 3D modeling training. The Fab Lab focuses on Design Thinking and problem-solving to foster innovation skills, launching a design challenge in Spring 2021 to encourage creative solutions to a specific issue.

The Next Challenge

Looking ahead to the next event, Physics Professor Elena Ziu and her son, Mihai, both avid NOVA Makers, will be lending their expertise to the upcoming spring design challenge. This challenge calls for participants to design a product to help improve the well-being of an animal.

Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, aesthetics, feasibility, and effectiveness. The competition is open to middle school, high school, homeschool, and post-secondary students, welcoming individual participants or teams of up to three.

The submission deadline is set for April 14. The Grand Champion will be awarded a Prusa MK4 3D Printer, while each Division Champion will receive a Prusa Mini+. For more details and to submit your entry, visit: https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/divisions/iet/fablab.html.

3D Printing, Design Thinking, Fab Lab, Fabrication, Laser Cutting, Makerspace, Making, NOVA Fab Lab, NOVA Makers

Fab Lab September 2024

Fab Lab Offerings

The Challenge

Fabricate an innovative product or enhance an existing product designed specifically for the human head.

Description

Ready to dive into a head-spinning adventure? Your mission is to create or revamp a product that’s all about the noggin! Whether you’re thinking helmets, headpieces, or any bold and imaginative concept that honors the human head, we want to see your wildest ideas come to life.

 Design Categories: 

  • Protection: Imagine next-gen gear to keep our heads safe in any situation—be it work, sports, or even during extreme weather! What will make your design stand out?
  • Medical: Innovate headgear with a focus on health and comfort. From dental headgear to other medical necessities, how can your design improve patient care?
  • Fashion Forward: Let your creativity shine with headgear that’s all about making a fashion statement. How will your design turn heads and set trends?
  • Status Symbol: Create or upgrade a headpiece that exudes elegance and prestige. Think crowns, tiaras, or any symbol of high status. How will your design make a statement?
  • Hair Containment: Design a stylish yet functional way to manage and showcase hair. From sleek to quirky, what’s your solution for hair-taming?

Who’s Eligible?

To be eligible, participants must be current students residing in the continental U.S. The competition will feature two age divisions: 10-15 years old and 16 and up.

Dates:

September 1st – Design Submission Portal Opens
November 17th – Design Submission Portal Closes at 11:59pm November 17th – Finalists Announced
December 13th – Awards Ceremony

Prizes:

Division Champions – $500
Division Runner-up – $250
Division Honorable Mention – $100

*Divisions are 10-15 years old and 16+.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SUBMIT GO TO fablab.novastem.us/DesignChallenge 

 

NOVA Makers

NOVA Makers is a membership program, which opens the NOVA Fab Lab to NOVA Students, Faculty and Staff to work on personal projects during our Open Labs.

How does it work?

  1. Enroll in the NOVA Makers Course on Canvas.
  2. On Canvas, pass the online Safety Orientation Certification and fill out the release form, which will make you an official member!
  3. Come-in during open lab hours to use machines and equipment. If it is your first time visiting or you need some help, ask a NOVA Fab Lab staff member for assistance.

Membership Fee

NOVA Makers is free for NOVA students, faculty, and staff, as well as dual enrolled high school students.

NOVA Makers Open Lab Hours

Monday | 5pm – 9pm
Tuesday | 5pm – 9pm
Wednesday | 1pm – 4pm
Thursday | 9am – 12pm
Friday | 12pm, 4pm

 NOVA’s Junior Makers program creates a fun, social environment for our youngest generation of makers to be introduced to fabrication and to build confidence in their STEM and problem-solving skills!

We offer a wide range of topics and activities for 4th-8th grade students to create a unique project with their parent or guardian.

Fall 2024 sessions are now available on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For full details and registration, visit fablab.novastem.us/JrMaker

Activities:

September 21 – Rocket Launch Challenge (Prototyping & Teamwork)

 October 5 – Sewing with Circuits (Circuitry & Sewing) 

 October 19 – Fall-themed Woodcraft (Wood Working & Laser Cutting)

November 2 – Casting Chocolate Legos (Vacuum Forming)

November 16 – Holiday Picture Puzzle (Laser Cutting & UV Printing)

ATE PI Conference 2023, Bridge Programs, Career & Technical Education, Conferences, Data Center Operations, DCO PD NSF Grant, DCO Tech NSF Grant, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Externships, Fabrication, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Makers By Design NSF Grant, PDI NSF Grant, Product Design Incubator (PDI)

NOVA IET Highlights 4 NSF Grants at ATE PI Conference

Our team was on-point with presentations and exhibits at the ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference #ATEPI in Washington, D.C. this week, extolling the various National Science Foundation (NSF) funded grants that have provided us with vital avenues to expand technical education to help meet the need to fill #InDemandTech jobs and careers.

Northern Virginia Community College staff and faculty Josh Labrie, Natasha Schuh-Nuhfer, Richard Sewell, Cameisha Chin, Chris Russell, Jim Crane, and Thomas (TJ) Ciccone, (VP STACK Infrastructure) were on-hand to present and highlight 4 grants at the conference:

DCO PD (Data Center Operations Program Development), intended to raise awareness for the national need for data center operations education and to increase capacity for DCO education at community colleges and technical colleges around the nation.

DCO Tech (Data Center Operations Technology Training), designed to increase regional capacity for training in Engineering Technology and Data Center Operations through expanded recruitment, employment training, and increased collaboration between industry, K-12 educators, and faculty.

MBD (Makers By Design), created to strengthen the engineering technology pathways by providing professional learning for K-12 teachers, running digital fabrication summer camps, and hosting design challenges.

PDI (Product Design Incubator), established to train groups of community college students through a product design challenge, integrating entrepreneurship training and design thinking to guide students from initial ideation through the prototyping and pitch processes.

Read more about these grants and opportunities for fellowships, training, and more at https://lnkd.in/gyGpU22v

The ATE PI conference brings together more than 800 NSF ATE grantees and their project partners to focus on the critical issues related to advanced technological education. Conference participants represent community colleges, business and industry, secondary school systems, and four-year colleges covering projects in a wide variety of areas, such as information technology, engineering technology, micro- and nanotechnologies, chemical technology, biotechnology, and others.

American Association of Community Colleges

#DataCenterOperations #DCO #DesignThinking #Fabrication#Entrepreneurship