New Employee Spotlights – Oct 2019

October 28, 2019 blenon

We’re glad to welcome two new team members to the IET division, Brittany Hollis, who is an IET Career Coach and Valerie Seidel, a graphic designer with NOVA SySTEMic.

Brittany Hollis

Brittany holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University (NC State). Before coming to NOVA Brittany worked in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Living Learning Village at NC State as the graduate assistant overseeing the WISE peer mentor program. In this role she planned student development, academic, career, and social events and activities and supported and advised WISE student leader staff.

Brittany also has experience working in Institutional Equity and Diversity departments at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill, piloting new initiatives focusing on equity in Higher Education. She has also presented programs and trainings on issues related to social justice, STEM education, and diversity and inclusion at the local, state, and national level.

Brittany taught High School Biology for two years in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System before moving into the Student Affairs and Higher Education Profession. In her free time, Brittany enjoys listening to podcasts, writing, and all things DIY.

Brittany can be reached at bhollis@nvcc.edu

Valerie Seidel

Valerie started her career as a clothing production coordinator at Ann Inc. in New York City. After college, she secured an Event Coordinator position at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Gainesville, VA. She was introduced to hands-on STEM through volunteering at robotics competitions for NOVA, and will use her expertise in event management, graphic design, and fashion to promote STEM throughout the community. Valerie holds a bachelor’s degree in Merchandising with a minor in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time, she loves to sew, craft, create, cuddle with her cat and binge watch Netflix.

Valerie can be reached at vseidel@nvcc.edu

STEM Expos, Volunteer

STEMZone at YFT Country Fair Oct 5

September 25, 2019 blenon

NOVA SySTEMic is returning to Youth for Tomorrow’s Country Fair & Auctions in Bristow to exhibit the STEMzone!

What is the STEMZone?
The STEMZone is NOVA SySTEMic’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Expo at Youth for Tomorrow’s Country Fair & Auctions. The STEMZone includes exciting hands-on activities such as maker spaces, robotics, cybersecurity, coding, 3D printers, laser cutters, stomp rockets and more!

When and Where?
Saturday October 5th 10am – 5pm
Country Fair & Auctions
Youth for Tomorrow Campus
11835 Hazel Circle Drive
Bristow, VA 20136

We Need Volunteers:
Volunteers will help run various STEM stations in our 60×90 STEMZone tent. We will train you on-site to aid and guide Elementary and Middle School students who will be participating in STEMZone hands-on activities. Besides having a great time education and inspiring students, you’ll also receive a free lunch and T-shirt.
Volunteer Shift 1: 9:30am to 1:30pm
Volunteer Shift 2: 1:30pm to 6:00pm
80 slots available/40 per shift
Sign up at volunteer.novastem.us/STEMZone

Hands-On Activities at the STEMZone

OSMO – Coding with iPad (ages 5+)
Use an iPad and the OSMO kit to learn coding. The kit uses physical representation of coding to help Awbie navigate in a self-paced app.

Sphero – Coding with iPad (ages 8+)
Use an iPad and the SPRK+ sphere robot to learn coding. The kit uses an app to drive or code the robot to navigate a maze.

Arduino – Build a stoplight (ages 10+)
The activity consist of assembling an electronic circuit around the Arduino to make a functioning stoplight.

Stomp Rockets – Build and launch a paper rocket (ages 3+)
Use paper to build a rocket with fins and nosecone. Stomp the launcher and see your rocket take flight.

Cubelets – Modular robotics (ages 4+)
Construct robots by snapping the robot blocks together to create unique robots. No coding or wiring required.

Hands-On Demos at the STEMZone

VEX Maze challenge – Drive a VEX clawbot through a maze (ages 7+)
Drive a VEX metal robot through a maze and flip caps and place balls on the field. Park the robot on a platform at the end.

VEX IQ Level Up – Play the VEX IQ challenge game (any ages)
Drive a plastic robot on a field moving and stacking hubs and try to make the robot hang from a horizontal bar.

Laser Engraver – Get your own keychain made (all ages)
The laser engraver will engrave and cut a keychain for you on the spot.

CAD – Test out making 3D designs (ages 6+)
Use Tinkercad or Autodesk Inventor to design 3D objects by grouping together shapes to create an object.

3D Printing – Print 3D objects (any ages)
Demos of multiple 3D printers and how a 3D object gets printed.

Arduino – Project display (any ages)
See multiple starter and advanced projects made up by using an Arduino.

VEX Conveyor – See how assembly line works (any ages)
See a small scale mockup of an assembly line and learn how it works.

Locktronics – Electronics trainer (ages 6+)
Learn electronics in a safe and fun way!

Virtual Simulator – Forklift (any ages)
Learn how to operate a forklift using a virtual reality simulator.

More info about the Country Fair & Auctions at:
http://www.youthfortomorrow.org/country-fair-and-auctions
Admission to Country Fair: $10. Kids 3 and under are free

Scholarships

Scholarship for DCO Students!

September 24, 2019 blenon

Are you a NOVA student in the new Data Center Operations A.A.S program? You could win a $2000 scholarship just for answering the question “Why do you want to work In the Datacenter Business?” The Potomac Chapter of AFCOM (Association For Computer Operations Management) has a scholarship agreement with the NOVA Foundation so that students enrolled in the Engineering Technology: Data Center Operations Specialization, A.A.S. Program will be eligible to apply.

Three scholarships of $2,000 each are being offered to cover tuition and associated fees. Additional eligibility criteria include: financial need, academic standing, and having Manassas or Loudoun listed as your primary campus.

Interested in applying or know someone who is? Click here to complete the general application at the Financial Aid Scholarship Portal.

Application deadline to apply is Oct 11^th.

Career Day

NOVA Career Day Data Center Tour 10-4

September 6, 2019 blenon

NOVA Career Day and Data Center Tour
Digital Realty
October 4^th, 2019

Digital Realty is providing a unique and valuable experience to NOVA students to get a behind the scenes tour of its Loudoun Data Center and spend time with industry professionals to learn more about career options available in this growing industry. With a footprint in northern Virginia and 200+ properties in 33+ metropolitan areas covering 30+ million rentable square feet, Digital Realty is the leading Global Data Center Real Estate Investment Trust with 2500+ customers globally.

Students must register by September 9 (no late registrations will be accepted).

REGISTRATION – Students must register in Career Connection at www.nvcc.edu/career-services/career-connection.html for either:

Digital Realty: Career Day and Data Center Tour (WITH BUS TRANSPORTATION)
Space on the bus is limited to 30 so you must RSVP is you want a seat

-OR-

Digital Realty: Career Day and Data Center Tour (NO TRANSPORTATION)
Students arrive at 9:30am using their own transportation

In Career Connection, look for the Digital Realty events under Programs and Workshops. Provide your full name as in appears on your government issued photo ID by September 9. All participants will need to present a government issued photo ID that matches their name on the registration list to enter the secure data facility.

Northern Virginia Community College Bus Transportation– space is limited
Address: NOVA Loudoun Campus, 21200 Campus Dr., Sterling, VA 20164
(location details will be provided to those registered for the bus)

Digital Realty Career Day & Data Center Tour Location – students arrive on their own
Address: Digital Realty – Building G, 43940 Digital Loudoun Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147

Schedule

8:30	Bus arrives at NOVA Community College
9:00	Bus departs NOVA Community College for Digital Realty Loudoun I/II campus
9:30	Bus arrives at Digital Realty @ Building G
9:30-9:50	Security, check-in, name badges
09:50-10:00	Brief Welcome and outline rules for the tour
10:00-10:40	Data Center Tour
10:40-11:40	Career Discussion; panel of speakers from Digital Realty
11:40-11:55	Student Q&A with panel of speakers from Digital Realty
11:55-12:00	Hand out Digital Realty SWAG
12:00-12:50	Lunch; hosted by Digital Realty
1:00	Bus departs for return to NOVA Community College
1:30	Bus arrives back at NOVA Community College

Questions may be directed to novacareerservices@nvcc.edu.

IET Newsletter, NOVA STEM Days, STEM Events, STEM Expos

NOVA STEM Day at NOVA LO

August 28, 2019 blenon

Hands-on STEM fun for the entire family, from kindergarten to high school and beyond! If you want to get your children interested and engaged in STEM, don’t miss the 5th annual NOVA STEM Day at the Loudoun Campus on Saturday, September 28 from 10am to 4pm. With more activities than you can count, we’re about DOING. Come ready to participate! This event is FREE, open to the public, and includes a variety of physical and hands-on activities. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for providing appropriate supervision.

Attending?
RSVP here

Want to be an exhibitor?
Contact Liz Coffey ecoffey@nvcc.edu

STEM DAY ACTIVITIES

NOVA Systemic – STEM Zone
Learn about programming and robotics using VEX, Sphero, Osmo platforms and more!

Loudoun County Public Library – Makerspace

Academies of Loudoun – UV Light/Slime
Interactive experiment with UV Lighting & Slime

Academies of Loudoun – FRC Robotics Team
Meet FRC Team 5338 and their FRC Robot!

NOVA Loudoun – Bones of the Body
Learn the bones of your body! What properties make up the bones of your body? What microscopic structures the compact of bone? Identify the organic and inorganic components that make bone hard and yet flexible. Examine skeletons, individual bones, coloring activities and more.

NOVA – CHM Toon
Chemical reactions and more!

Adobe Illustrator – Explore your Artistic Potential with Technology
Create characters and activities in Adobe Illustrator!

Vet Tech Dept – A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Technician
Become a Vet Tech by bandaging patients, examining xrays and bones and more!

Loudoun Water – Interactive Watershed Model
Explore the interactive watershed model, water source protection and conservation

Geared UP! – Robot Driving Station with Team Geared UP!

Northern Virginia Community College – Psychology IS a Science
Celebrate the scientific studies of the senses. Learn about sensation, perception and classical conditioning. Taste our treats, check out optical illusion demos, and more!

Russian School of Mathematics – Fun with Math!

NOVA Physics – Hands-on demos with a mini roller coaster, Van der Graff mini-generator and Gyro-effect with a Bicycle wheel

NOVA Programming – Introduction to Visual Programming

Virginia 529 – spin the wheel to win prizes

biofeedbackWORKS – Check out bio and neurofeedback technology!

Geology – Interactive Geology models and processes

Cyberjutsu Girls Academy (CGA)/Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu – workshops provide a hands-on, fun, and interactive experience in topics such as web design, mobile application development, computer fundamentals, programming and many more!

American Society of Naval Engineers – Students will play the FLEET video game so they are able to explore and master it at home. The game is completely free and a great resource for exploring STEAM and solving problems using the engineering design process.

How much does it cost?
STEM Day is a FREE event with open parking in “B” lots. Follow signs upon arrival.

Who will I learn from?
Our activities will be taught by NOVA faculty and community educators with assistance from college and high school students.

Do I need to pre-register?
Not mandatory, but it does help us plan the logistics of the day. Pre-Register here.

What should I wear?
For safety purposes, no shorts, tank tops, or open-toed shoes are permissible in the science labs. Safety precautions are strictly enforced. Some events will take place outdoors, so monitor weather reports and dress accordingly.

What’s for lunch?
For those who work up an appetite, Uncle Fred’s BBQ Smoke Shack (also serving ice cream) and Mama Lucie’s Kitchen will be on site with a variety of lunch options.

IET Newsletter, STEM Camps

STEM Camps a Success!

August 28, 2019 blenon

We put on 10 different types of STEM camps in 55 different sessions at 13 locations serving 869 students this summer, inspiring young minds through hands-on engagement in STEM. A few quotes about the camps from parents:

“My daughter said it was the best camp she’s ever been to, and she’s been to so many, that’s truly stunning”

“It was a great experience for my child. I am considering doing more of the camps next summer”

“She loved it! Definitely would recommend it for any student who is interested.”

“Robotics seemed to excite my son to learn about college. I appreciated seeing younger counsellors given leadership roles.”

“My son really enjoyed himself and loved the competition on the last day”

“My child raved about the projects during the camp.”

“Very good value.”

“Instructors were nice and knowledgeable”

“The staff was nice, and the staff taught my kid to code a virtual robot, and build a website on Raspberry pi.”

“My child enjoyed learning how to design, use new software and technology, and seeing the final project.”

“Arduino was excellent. She’s purchased her own and is working on her own projects. Great experience.”

“My child’s favorite thing about the camp was what he learned, and the ability to be able to protect me and my families’ phones and computers.”

“She enjoyed the hands-on activities and the small group setting.”

Our core offering of camps:

Coding – Grade 3-5

STEM Elementary – Grade 4-5

Robotics – VEX IQ – Grade 4-8

STEM Middle School – Grade 6-8

Robotics – VEX 1 – Grade 6-10

Arduino – Grade 7-10

Robotics – VEX 2 – Grade 7-10

Rocketry – Grade 7-12

STEM High School – Grade 9-12

Cybersecurity – Grade 9-12

Be on the lookout to sign up your kids for STEM Camp 20 when registration becomes available in January 2020 at www.nvcc.edu/systemic

Thank you Sponsors!

Our STEM Camps engage a lot of students, but we couldn’t do that without our stellar sponsors and equipping educators! For a successful and intrepid summer of STEM camps and for inspiring young minds, massive thanks to: Micron, Verizon Media, Amtek, Aerojet Rocketdyne, SPARK Education Foundation, Cintas, Fairfax County Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, Falls Church City Public Schools, and Arlington Public Schools.