Category Archives: 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

 

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

 

NOVA Student and SkillsUSA National Gold Medalist Reflects On His Journey

NOVA’s Jonatan Solomon Gebremichael won a Gold Medal at the 2023 SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta on June 23.

Gebremichael triumphed in the category of Internet of Things: Smart Homes, a three-day intense hands-on event where he was required to install a smart TV, smart thermostat, antennae, and more items into a makeshift room.


See related story: NOVA Wins Gold, Silver, and Bronze at SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference!


We spoke to Jonatan the week after his big win and he has a great story to tell, from overcoming extreme adversity to being a SkillsUSA champion.

How did it feel to win Gold at the national level?

It felt amazing. It was something I did not imagine that I’d win. Winning States was one thing, but winning Nationals kind of blew my mind.

I worked so hard, not just because I wanted to win, but because I truly enjoy what I do. Being encapsulated in my work and my love and appreciation for STEM and engineering led me to that moment. I’ve been to multiple hackathons and engineering competitions with my friends at the Northern Virginia Community College Society of Physics Students and engineering club and we’ve competed at a NASA hackathon physics conference. I’ve won second place, I’ve won third place, but nothing this big and nationally. And for that I am so, so happy.

When I went on that stage at Nationals and they called my name out, I could not believe it – I placed as a finalist. When they called third place for someone else, I was like, “oh my God, I won second place.” And then they called second place and it was the other person, my heart just dropped because I knew I was first! At that moment I realized, I am worth it. My work has been acknowledged.

What obstacles have you overcome while building your skills?

I come from poverty. I would never wish the kind of struggles I’ve had on another person. I came here alone, 14 years old, and then my mom followed me, and then my sister followed me because we were fleeing Ethiopia, without money, drinking sparkling water so the hunger would disappear so we can sleep. We lived in a basement, renting from somebody else’s house. And I had to learn English.

It is difficult to be the parent of my mother, to be the parent of my sister, to be the breadwinner of a household, at the same time trying to reach my goals. Who am I supposed to turn to to reach these goals? I know I will achieve greatness, people told me this starting from when I built an electric sharpener out of a broken computer fan in the villages of Ethiopia when I was a kid. But my experience getting to where I am has been very hard.

What does greatness mean to you?

To have opportunities. To be significant. To be needed. To have purpose. And I will be ready at the door for opportunities because it’s stuck in my fingernails.

Earlier on, no matter how much I tried, no matter how much passion and tenacity I showed, I could never keep up with the workload. It’s not my not understanding of the subject but the struggles of being a Northern Virginia Community College student when I also have to feed my family. Even with previous accomplishments, trying to be recognized for my ability, I lost my mind when people told me, “Jonatan, you’re going to be great someday,” just for them to turn around and say my grades didn’t reflect that, it made me mad. I would hide my identity. I would hide all the problems because I didn’t want to be treated differently. I had a goal in mind to provide for the world – problem solving is the core part of who I am – helping people with kindness and care. And the SkillsUSA win was insanely great because of that.

What does the win mean to you personally?

It really hit close to home because of the adversity I am from. It gives me the opportunity to be great, to imagine growing in this field. I am not a person who is afraid of failure. I am an inventor and my purpose is way bigger than me. I joined the Society of Physics Students when I’m not even a physics major. But allowing myself to be around people that have the same purpose and passion is so wonderful to me. And that has helped me grow and learn.

Because of my immigration status and the adversity I’ve come through, showing my skills and being recognized was something that really impacted me for the first time when I was standing on that national stage.

I care about my purpose. I don’t care about money, power, or fame. I have a goal in mind and I will not stop that I get there and it is finally starting to pay off. NOVA gave me a chance to go to college when all other colleges declined me, it let me be part of a community of people who are also passionate in their field, learning and growing while having fun at the same time. This is when learning happens, not only in the classroom but through conversations and projects and work and just hanging out with your fellow classmates who are passionate about what they do.

I am also so thankful for SkillsUSA because it gave me the opportunity to show my knowledge outside the realms of traditional education. SkillsUSA and NOVA provided me with a chance to be great.

How have you achieved your goals?

Preparation and loving what you do.  No matter how bad things are, no matter how much I’m failing, no matter how much I’m struggling, I’m not giving up or letting go of my identity. My preparation was also being surrounded by people also wanting to do this, stuff like this, for fun, regardless of winning or losing.

How will this award impact your future and how will you help others?

NOVA has brought me to the forefront of my dreams. When I try to get a job, I’m able to prove myself now. Hopefully I’ll make enough money to create a learning center, but more importantly, I’ll create a scholarship for students like me that never got the support. The kid who is smart and loves what he does, but just can’t make it happen because of this trials and tribulations. I want to be there for that kid, because I went through it man. I’ll help them out. I can’t wait to help these people, because I know the kind of potential that we can give to the world – future leaders that would otherwise have been abstracted away by the society we live in.

What advice you have for other students?

Don’t let your struggles define your potential, your ability, and your identity. Do what you love. It’s so easy for great minds to disappear. If you’re are a great thinker, just stand at the door of opportunity because no matter how twisty the roads, no matter how many dead-ends, your passion and love for what you do will get you to the finish line. Places like Northern Virginia Community College specialize in these opportunities.

Jonatan with Chelle Travis, National Executive Director of SkillsUSA, after his gold medal win


Jonathan’s sister, Maddie Gebremichael, also won the bronze medal in Engineering Technology and Design, proving that vision, hard work and skill run in the family. She reflected “Thrilled and grateful to have won the bronze medal in Engineering Technology and Design at the SkillsUSA Nationals as part of the NOVA Nightwaks team! A huge thank you to Northern Virginia Community College and NOVA foundation for their incredible support and opportunities. It’s an honor to be a part of a vibrant community that truly cares about opening paths for student success.”

You can read more about NOVA’s other medal winners here.

 

NOVA Students Win 13 Gold Medals at SkillsUSA State Championship!

At the SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach this past weekend, 15 students represented Northern Virginia Community College: 13 won gold medals for NOVA and 2 won silver!

Each of the gold medalists were declared State Champions in their respective competitive events (including Cybersecurity, Computer Programming, Engineering Technology Design, Information Technology Services, and more) and qualify for the National SkillsUSA Conference in June in Atlanta.

Overall there were 10 individual champions and 2 team champions (a two-person team and a three-person team).  Here are the winning NOVA students and their events:

Competition # on team NOVA Student/SKILLSUSA Member SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference 2023 Placement
Computer Programming 1 Soham Nawthale State Champion
Related Technical Math 1 Tanjim Redhwan State Champion
Cybersecurity 2 Chimere Nzedu State Champion
Cybersecurity 2 Ardian Peach State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Maddie Gebremichael State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Kanykei Korosheva State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Nathaniel Bunger State Champion
Internet of Things 1 Jonathan Solomon Gebremichael State Champion
Extemp Speaking 1 Dhyuthi Chegu State Champion
First Aid CPR 1 Cindy Tran Silver Medalist
First Aid CPR 1 Nora Kaup State Champion
Information Technology Services 1 Alyssa Vasilica Silver Medalist
Principles of Engineering 1 Takeshi Tamashiro-Pardo* State Champion
Telecommunications & Cabling 1 Claudio Molina State Champion

The State Leadership Conference provided students with the opportunity to utilize the technical knowledge learned in the classroom to solve problems and apply what they learned (with coaching and advising from industry professionals) in a competition environment. Now they have the opportunity to represent NOVA on the national stage!

#InDemand #SkillsUSA

 

Spring 2023 Fab Lab Design Challenge

The Brief

Upcycling is creative reuse; it is the process of taking something considered as “junk” and transforming it into something useful and often beautiful. Upcycling reveals how we can reuse everyday objects and think critically and creatively about the world around us. In the past, we have seen plastic bags woven into rugs, swings made with old tires, bike racks made from scrap bike parts, and furniture crafted from shipping pallets. How can the functional objects, structures, and spaces in your community be reimagined through upcycling or what useful, upcycled product can you provide your community?

The Challenge

 Design an upcycled product linked to your community.

Dates

Wednesday, March 15 – Design Submission Portal Opens
Sunday, April 30 – Design Submission Portal Closes
Tuesday, May 16 – Finalists will be Announced
June – Award Ceremony

Prizes

Grand Champion – $1,000 and we will fabricate a scale model of your design.
*Division Champions – $500
*Division Honorable Mentions – $250

*Divisions are: Middle School, High School, and Post-Secondary

Learn More about to the Spring 2023 Challenge at: https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/fablab.html 

Submit an entry

NOVA Wins Big At SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference

(Back row: Humza Ansari, Tyler Armendaris, Maddie Gebremichael. Middle row: Niki Gordon, Ardian Peach, Hamza Ansari, Claudia Oviedo, Front Row: Alex Choi)

Seven NOVA Students earned seven medallions at the SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference on April 8-9 in Virginia Beach!

They competed in four competitions: Cybersecurity, Computer Programming, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Job Skills Demonstration.

Cybersecurity Team A (Ardian Peach and Humza Ansari) earned gold, while Cybersecurity Team B (Tyler Armendaris and Hamza Abdo) earned silver.

During competitions students had to demonstrate their technical skill knowledge around topics like Enterprise Router Security, Managing Switch Security and Troubleshooting, as well as completed a written test. Alex Choi earned gold in Computer Programming, showcasing his technical abilities in programming related to Java and C++ as well as completing a written test.

Claudia Oviedo earned gold in Extemporaneous Speaking where she gave a speech after only having 5 minutes to prepare on that topic. And, Maddie Gebremichael earned gold in Job Skill Demonstration A where she gave a speech and taught the judges how to build a suspension bridge and the engineering behind it.  These gold medalists will be advancing to compete at the National Leadership and Skill Conference in June in Atlanta.

During the conference Opening Session, NOVA advisor Niki Gordon was recognized for being the Post-Secondary Representative to the SkillsUSA Virginia Foundation Board of Directors.

Congratulations, all!

#BoldlyNOVA #WeDoSTEM #SkillsUSA #SkillsUSAVA