Category Archives: NOVA Fab Lab

Career Skills, Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Grants, Interpersonal Skills, Mentoring, Networking, NOVA Fab Lab, PDI NSF Grant, Product Design Incubator (PDI), Women in IET

NOVA’s Fab Lab Completes 2nd Product Design Incubator (PDI) Cohort

On June 14, the NOVA Fab Lab held a Product Design Incubator (PDI) Pitch Event at the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center at the NOVA Annandale Campus.

Sixteen PDI fellows showcased their innovative product design ideas aimed at improving disaster readiness, financial education, closet assistance, timeliness, and cybersecurity.

The presentations were made to an audience that included 12 NOVA professors, four deans, past PDI fellows, and industry guests from Capital One, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), serial entrepreneurs from new startups, GDIT, Microsoft, and Amazon.

PDI, funded by the National Science Foundation, took place at NOVA’s Manassas campus and aimed to equip students with interdisciplinary product design skills. It was created in response to industry partners’ demand for candidates proficient in collaboration, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.

Throughout the spring, students participated in entrepreneurship workshops, working in interdisciplinary groups to brainstorm, collect data, and develop solutions. Over the summer, they transformed their concepts into tangible products, creating marketing materials, pitches, and prototypes.

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

Cameisha shared, “Students engaged in meaningful collaborative efforts during the program. At times, they mitigated difficult decisions, mediated differences, and worked to achieve their goals on a timeline.  They produced outcomes that were meaningful to each member of their group based on the ideation methodology.”

Cybersecurity fellow Khan Richardson and Cloud Computing fellow Saugat Dhakal developed “blackbox,” a device that intercepts and monitors wireless signals using Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), which involves collecting and analyzing electronic signals and communication-related information.

Both students praised the program, with Khan stating, “We wouldn’t be at this event without the tools and the instructors that the Fab Lab provided us.” Saugat added, “The Fab Lab exposed us to people outside of our majors, and we learned how to use the UV and 3D printers, which made us more confident.”

Judy Marouf, Mohamed Aziz Laouiti, and Jonathan Bonilla created “closetpal,” a personal style assistance app that helps users plan outfits based on the weather, mood, and destination. Users can upload photos of their clothes, and over time, the app will get to know their style preferences better.

Mohamed explained, “I enjoyed working in a team and coming up with an idea that wasn’t my own. We were advised not to bring in our own ideas. They wanted us to start from scratch because that way, each team member owns a part of the product.”

Judy shared, “The really cool thing is that during the first two weeks of the program, we learned something new every day—printing, making t-shirts and stickers, and much more. We learned who we are as teammates, too, and that’s something you don’t usually get to do. I was so close to not applying because I was scared, but I’m so glad I did. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

Cloud Computing fellow Camila Lemes Goncalves and engineering student Katie Velasco-Nunez designed “We Nudge,” an app that combines a navigation system with digital calendars, providing appointment reminders and traffic updates. Like “closetpal,” over time “We Nudge” will get to know users’ habits better.

Katie explained, “Camila and I were trying to figure out a common problem we had. After Mr. Russell asked several students why they were late, we came up with this idea. I love our project and was motivated to come to the Fab Lab, which I hadn’t known about until my engineering professor brought our class here. Mr. Sewell gave us the whole spiel, which definitely caught my attention.”

“Moolah,” a budgeting app for college students aged 18 to 25, was developed by cybersecurity student Robert Biliter, business and administration student Haritha Pisupati, computer science student Anosha Khairi, and computer engineering student Jaden Todd. A key component is to partner with colleges in order to keep the app free for students.

The team emphasized the supportive environment of the Fab Lab. Jaden said, “It’s a comfortable environment for both science and art students to meet and match up. It allows us to take ideas and turn them into reality.”

Haritha added, “I think it’s the aesthetic and the vibe itself. The environment helps you concentrate. It’s a place where you can meet people who are different from you and learn a lot from them.”

Team “Hermes Net,” consisting of business management student Stephanie Marino, engineering student  Helina Semu, engineering and welding student Matthew Manero, and general studies student Kyle Morrison, created an autonomous drone system that uses waypoint technology and cellular repeaters to deploy cellular service over disaster-struck areas.

Helina highlighted the importance of their product, saying, “Imagine you’re in an area that has been struck by a disaster. You can’t call for help, you can’t call your family. Your family’s trying to call you, but they can’t get to you. Imagine the relief it would provide to know that even if something like this happened to you, your calls could get through.”

“It’s an obvious physical need; you need to be able to call for help, but it’s also an emotional need. Even if you’re fine and your family’s fine, just knowing that is important,” added Kyle.

Fab Lab employee Jason Armstrong, who participated in PDI last year, said, “Seeing the pitches was really cool because I recognized all the hard work these students put in. I appreciated it more because I knew how challenging the program was.”

Richard Sewell expressed his admiration for the students’ dedication, saying, “It’s always amazing to see what students come up with and how far they take it when push comes to shove. Their answers showed how much time they spent thinking about logistics.”

The event acknowledged the invaluable contributions of faculty mentors, directors, deans, speakers, and industry partners who provided guidance and feedback to the students throughout the program.

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.

3D Printing, Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Fab Lab, Makerspace, NOVA Fab Lab, NOVA Makers

Design Challenge Winners Honored at Fab Lab

“You won’t believe the energy and atmosphere you’ll experience at the Fab Lab. Watching young people design, fabricate, and create makes me feel optimistic about our future and humanity.”
~ Elena Ziu, NOVA Physics Professor

In early May, students who emerged victorious in NOVA’s 6th biannual Design Challenge were honored at an awards ceremony held at the Fab Lab. This year’s challenge tasked middle school, high school, and post-secondary students with designing products to improve the well-being of animals.

Entries were evaluated based on creativity, aesthetics, feasibility, and effectiveness. The competition welcomed middle school, high school, homeschool, and post-secondary students, allowing both individual participants and teams of up to three.

David De Costa, a student from Bishop Ireton High School, earned the grand champion title with his innovative “FoxWatch.” Recognizing the essential role that foxes play in the ecosystem and the dangers they face from fast-moving vehicles, David designed a device to help protect them. “I came up with this idea after noticing all the dead animals on the side of the road. I was inspired to create something to prevent that, and I hope my design will succeed,” David explained.

The “FoxWatch” features two concave parabolic mirrors: one shaped like a fox and the other resembling a traditional street warning sign. These mirrors reflect the headlights of oncoming cars to the sides of the road, especially at night when foxes are most active. The reflected light aims to momentarily dazzle the fox with brightness until the vehicle has passed. This system also enhances the visibility of foxes and other animals for drivers, thereby creating a safer environment for all.

As the grand champion, David received a Prusa MK4 3D printer, while the division champions were each awarded a Prusa Mini+ 3D printer.

Hauris Choudhry, representing NOVA, won the College Winner title with his creation, “HexaHive,” designed to promote honey bee habitats. Given the critical role honeybees play in the ecosystem and agriculture, and the challenges they face due to declining populations, Hauris crafted a compact and affordable 3D design of a bee colony. He modeled it after the traditional commercial bee box but included additional features. “I came up with the idea while driving through downtown Fairfax. I noticed all the apartments without backyards and thought a bee box could be a way to bring nature to the balconies,” Hauris explained.

Sean Fajardo from West Springfield High School won the High School Winner award for his “Bird Blocker” design, which aims to reduce the millions of bird deaths annually due to collisions or electrocutions. As urban development and deforestation displace birds, they are forced to nest in hazardous areas like power lines and wind turbines.

Sean’s design, made from wood and reflective metal, is cost-effective and easy to assemble. The “Bird Blocker” is placed between power line conductors to deter birds from landing, thanks to the reflective surface, encouraging them to relocate to safer areas. “I’m surprised that I won since my design is simple and can easily be made with wood, but maybe that’s what makes it a good design,” Sean said.

Middle School Winners Avery Woods and Marla Bud from The Potomac School devised “NailedIt!” after surveying classmates who own dogs about nail trimming, a task many dogs dislike, including Marla’s. They designed a clear, plastic box with a piece of sandpaper on top. Dogs scratch the top to reach a treat inside, which files their nails in the process.

Hudson Walker from the Academies of Loudoun High School received an honorable mention for his “Turtle Tunnel.” This design consists of two quarter-circle pieces that can be joined to form a safe tunnel for baby turtles traveling from land to sea, protecting them from predators and guiding their path. “I focused on the feasibility aspect of the design,” Hudson explained. “There are many coasts worldwide, so I aimed to create something affordable that can be mass-produced anywhere with a very simple design.”

Judges included Gillian Backsu, Ph.D., a NOVA biology professor; David Tuohey, a senior process engineer at BAE Systems in Manassas; and Dr. Bonnie Lefbom, a scientist, leader, and philanthropist.

Physics Professor Elena Ziu and her son Mihai, both avid participants in the NOVA Makers community, along with the Fab Lab staff, supported students throughout their design challenge journey. A big thank you to them, the judges, and our sponsor, BAE Systems!

3D Printing, Engineering Technology, Fab Lab, Makerspace, NOVA Fab Lab, NOVA Makers, SkillsUSA, STEM Events, Student Success

NOVA Students Showcase Award Winning Projects at the Fab Lab

The Fab Lab Showcase Exhibition was held on May 10 at the Trailside Atrium on the Manassas Campus. The event featured a wide array of projects by talented NOVA Makers, including engineering, art, and SkillsUSA students. The showcase demonstrated the creativity and technical skills of NOVA Makers, supported by the resources and collaborative spirit of the Fab Lab team.

Student highlights included:

Projects from Bryan Jimenez and Mihai Ziu, who are both NOVA Makers and Fab Lab employees:

Bryan created a BMO character inspired by Adventure Time. “I wanted to use my Raspberry Pi for an interesting project, so I decided to use the 3D printer in the Fab Lab to create something useful,” he shared.

Mihai has created many projects in the lab, including 3D-printed rocket parts and laser-cut kaleidoscopes. “I’m part of the Team America Rocketry Challenge. Certain parts need to meet specific requirements, so I use the 3D printer. I also use a machine to create stickers for my projects,” he said.

Designs from engineering students Ryan Malatesta, Julious Figueroa, Sherina Williams, Shane Beasley, Erick Moreno, and Gabriel Cohen:

Ryan, a member of the Engineering Club, is building a C-130 aircraft with several club members. They’ve been using a CNC machine in the Fab Lab. “Since we’re trying to create curves and different shapes, it’s been challenging. It’s a difficult process, but the Fab Lab team has been helping us,” he explained.

Julious designed a Wireless Power Transfer Through Electromagnetic Induction. “The idea came from a class prompt about wirelessly charging a phone with a shirt,” he explained.

Sherina, Shane, Erick, and Gabriel built a Vertical Lift Bridge-Track Tower. “Our project is a vertical lift bridge designed to adjust to a boat’s height. The motors lift using two pulleys with equal wiring on both sides, ensuring simultaneous movement. We encountered several problems but found solutions,” Sherina said.

Projects from NOVA Makers Nguyen Phuc Be and Rayna Roades:

Nguyen fabricated his Kayn HeartSteel Cosplay costume entirely in the Fab Lab. “One day my physics professor took us on a tour of the Fab Lab. Afterwards, I became a NOVA Maker and have learned a lot in the Fab Lab,” he said. Nguyen won the People’s Choice/Favorite Project and received $50 Fab Lab credit for future projects.

Rayna said, “All the adults in the Fab Lab, engineering, and STEM department have been so helpful. I enjoy collaborating, especially in places like the Fab Lab. Even though I’m still learning, like with 3D printing, I find it exciting. Whenever I need help, there’s always someone willing to assist, and I’m more than happy to return the favor by helping others with their projects.” Rayna designed a Cyborg Hand, Arcane Tree, and Forest Wonders.

Artwork from Dakota Rhodes, Madeleine Walter, Danny Fonseca, and Diana Maida:

Dakota, who is taking computer science classes and wants to get into robotics, shared, “I’d like to use my art skills to create robots and AI programs. I’m passionate about the environment and aim to develop a program that monitors and counteracts pollution. The Mechanization of Earth represents environmental preservation and the impact of technology on the planet,” he added.

Madeleine and her mom, a seamstress, designed a wearable art piece using the vinyl printer and created The Goblin using the 3D printer in the Fab Lab. “I’ve found I really like using the Fab Lab and doing all that kind of stuff, so I might do some physical art, too,” she said.

Danny shared, “I made my 3D art piece in the Fab Lab. I called it “Embrace” because it’s about embracing the ugly parts of yourself.”

Diana utilized a 3D printer in the Fab Lab to create her project, Sãkúron from Hêlslìā. “These are all things that I’ve created in my head,” she said.

SkillsUSA members: Lauren Traversa, Mateo Aguilar, Nyan Prkash, Heidy Sandoval, Alait Mesfune, Nick Cowen, Jonathan Solomon, Kanykei Korosheva, Maddie Gebremichael, and Ben Yam. (Several of these teams won gold at the Virginia State Leadership Conference and are heading to nationals).

Lauren, Mateo, and Nyan designed and fabricated their Automatic Dog Trainer for the SkillsUSA competition. They also submitted it to the Fab Lab’s design challenge. Lauren explained, “We didn’t include CAD designs, only pictures, which weren’t specific enough about the design and implementation. That was our mistake. We were so busy that we submitted it too quickly.”

Heidy and Alait submitted their commercial drone. They designed a course that replicated the state course, complete with different pads, balls, and hoops. “Mary and Justin helped us a lot in the Fab Lab,” Heidy said.

Nick designed a Papi-Beetleweight combat robot and Lego Battlebots. “I used the Fab Lab’s superior printers to 3D-print components and make aluminum sides for the robots. I made one robot almost entirely in the Fab Lab, and it competed well in a competition. The Fab Lab printers are so much better than what I have at home,” he shared.

Jonathan designed an Augmented Reality: A Way to Measure Without a Ruler. “The Fab Lab team helped so much with 3D printing. I had never used Fusion 360 or 3D printed anything before this. I couldn’t have done this project without them,” he shared.

Kanykei, Maddie, and Ben created an RC Airplane. Kanykei said, “The equipment and materials in the Fab Lab were very useful for our project.”

Professor Westerhoff also participated in the showcase with a project he designed for students in his Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 honor classes. “Inspired by a book on airfoils, I designed a project to connect calculus concepts with real-world applications,” he explained. “This project helped students see the practical application of calculus and enhanced their understanding of integral calculus and numerical methods,” he added.

Computer Science, In-Demand Technology Pathways, NOVA Fab Lab, NOVA IET Career Pathways, Robotics, Student Success, Women in IET, Women in STEM

Student Spotlight: Women in STEM President at NOVA

“The NOVA Women in STEM club has introduced me to a diverse group of people from all six campuses, many of whom travel to Annandale for our weekly meetings. Collaborating with other clubs enhances the fun, and I’ve learned from everyone I’ve met here. I’m grateful for the unique and enriching Nighthawk experience.” ~ Judy Marouf

Last spring, Judy Marouf co-founded the NOVA Women in STEM Club. The club seeks to “present women that pursue STEM studies with the opportunities to depart from a transitory academic environment with the tools for success in their future endeavors.”

54% of NOVA is female, but only 17% of the engineering program is female and 21% of the Computer Science program is female. In this regard, the club seeks to be “a small force of change” in order to increase female engagement in STEM fields at the college.

The goals of Women in STEM are:

  1. To create a safe space that offers a well-rounded support system full of uplifting connections and friendships.
  2. To provide members with the latest opportunities and information for academic and career development – including jobs, internships, scholarships, research, and transfer support.
  3. To organize exciting and enriching events, workshops, guest speakers, activities, trips, and games.

Judy serves as the club president, with her duties divided between internal and external responsibilities. Internally, Judy closely manages the board’s schedules and key tasks. She keeps the vice president and secretary updated, approves documents, helps the treasurer with fundraising, guides the membership chair in promotions, and sets goals with the social media manager. She also mentors the president intern for future leadership roles. Externally, she works with other student clubs and handles tasks like organizing events and ensuring the club meets all regulations.

Physics professor Manori Nadesalingam serves as the club advisor. Meetings take place at the Annandale Campus on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The club has grown to almost 250 students on Discord and offers peer support, career resources, and organizes various events. Judy encourages all NOVA STEM students, regardless of gender, to participate in club events and join the Discord community to engage with and benefit from this diverse and active group. Join using this link: https://discord.gg/fqRFxE3qzf.

Judy will graduate this spring with an associate degree in business administration and plans to complete an associate degree in computer science this summer. She is considering a future career in project management.

Recently, Judy completed her first internship during the winter break with a program called Nvolve, designed to support women in overcoming barriers in STEM fields. As a web development intern, she significantly enhanced their website and trained other interns, gaining valuable experience.

Judy is also active in the FAB Lab Product Design Incubator, where she is paired with a mentor to enhance various skills, including resume building and technical development. Last semester, she developed an AI chatbot, a project supported by the Women’s STEM Club, which showcases program benefits like stipends and skill development. This experience has enriched her resume and provided key talking points for job interviews.

Additionally, she is a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which helps exceptional community college students transfer to top four-year institutions without incurring student debt. The winner will be announced in May.

As for her interest in STEM? “I was inspired by my oldest brother’s love for coding and robotics,” she says. “I’ve always looked up to him as a role model. In elementary school, I noticed I wasn’t naturally gifted in math, but I enjoyed the subject enough to challenge myself. I had to work twice as hard, but that didn’t stop me.” Clearly, her efforts have paid off!

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 Jan 2024

Fab Lab Offerings

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.

NOVA Makers Open Lab Hours

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

Product Design Incubator:

Do you have a brilliant idea for a new product? The NOVA Fab Lab is hosting a Product Design Incubator for NOVA students to learn design thinking, develop entrepreneurial skills, and prototype and build a product at the NOVA Fab Lab.

PDI participants will:

  • Learn entrepreneurship skills during 6 spring workshops.
  • Design and protype a product during a summer product design incubator.
  • Pitch a product to regional entrepreneurs
  • Receive a $3000 stipend for completion

You can complete a apply PDI application at fablab.novastem.us/PDIapply

PDI is possible thanks to a National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant.

 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.

Spring 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:

February 10 – Casting Chocolate Legos (Vacuum Forming)

 February 24 – Soft Circuit Creatures (Circuitry & Hand Sewing) 

 March 9 – Build a Mini Greenhouse (Wood Working & Vacuum Forming)

March 23 – Animatronics Stuffed Animal (Coding & Microelectronics)

 April 6 – 3D Print a Monster (Clay Modeling & 3D Printing)

 April 20 – T-Shirt & Jewelry (UV Printing & Laser Cutting)

 May 4 – Build a Birdhouse – NEW! (Wood Working and Painting)

 May 18 – Stomp Rockets – NEW! (Design Thinking and Fabrication)

 June 1 – Laser Cut Airplanes – NEW! (Laser Cutting)

 June 15 – Sew a Custom Handbag – NEW! (Machine Sewing)

3D Printing, Community Partnerships, Design Challenge, Design Thinking, Fab Lab, Fabrication, Makers By Design NSF Grant, NOVA Awards, NOVA Fab Lab, STEM Awards

Spring Fab Lab Design Challenge Winners Awarded

Congratulations to the winners of the Spring ’23 NOVA Fab Lab Design Challenge!

The theme for this semester was Upcycling, where we challenged college, high school, and middle school students to use their innovative skills to design a product that reuses discarded objects or materials to create a product of usefulness and quality.

Grand prize winners Anirudh Holavanahalli, Rohan Matta, and Ajay Penugonda designed tires into a functional bookshelf, called “HigherTire”. They were awarded $1000 to split and their product was fabricated by the Fab Lab staff.

Anirudh Holavanahalli reflected “I like the concept of the design challenge and I’m also happy with the design that we as a team created. We reused old tires and added some wood and mechanics. I really like how the design looks, it’s hard to create. [The fabrication] looks exact and identical.

Fellow grand champion Rohan Matta added “I really like the design challenge because you don’t really see these types of upcycle designs, where it’s not just about how cool it looks. I never thought the final product would come out this good.”
Northern Virginia Community College students were well represented in the post-secondary division. Champion Makayla Draper participated in her second design challenge, also winning last Fall, and said she enjoyed “the theory aspect of this challenge.” Fellow NOVA compatriot Joe Le Sage also enjoyed the challenge, saying “it was fun to participate. I needed an excuse to design something and this was a good excuse.”

Mary Ratcliff, one of our Fab Lab Coordinators, started at NOVA in the fall and from week one was involved in conceptualizing the upcycling idea for the challenge and spearheading the logistics of communicating with participants and fabricating the product alongside Fab Lab Coordinator Richard Sewell and technician David Burn.

Ratcliff said “the Spring Design Challenge Awards Ceremony was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness. Winners from middle school, high school, and post-secondary divisions were honored for their imaginative, yet practical applications of upcycling. Wood pallets, CDs, and plastic bottles were just a few of the transformed materials incorporated into the winning designs. Congratulations to all Spring Design Challenge participants!”

One of the judges, John Hicks, owner of Fillagreen, loved the sustainability potential for upcycled products and reflected on his involvement:

“It was a great experience to see the creativity and thought leaders in today’s students. I look forward to seeing the great positive impact these participants will make on the world! Sustainability is within reach and is attainable through small steps.”

Thank you to our sponsors and community partners BAE Systems, Inc., Micron Technology, and Fillagreen as well as our judges John Hicks, David Tuohey, and Jim Crane.

We will be announcing our next Fab Lab Design Challenge in the Fall. For updates sign up for our monthly IET Newsletter at newsletter.novastem.us

#WeDoSTEM #DesignThinking #Upcycling