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

 

Career Skills, Data Center Operations, Data Centers, Digital Realty Internship, Engineering Technology, Internships, NOVA IET, NOVA to Workforce, STEM Careers

NOVA Student to DCO Workforce Spotlight: Justin Nagle

“I would recommend NOVA’s Data Center Operations and Engineering Technology programs to students who want to excel in technical careers and stay in the area. There are plenty of job opportunities in the data center field, from IT, engineering operations, HVAC, electrical, security, to sales. There is an abundance of opportunity for growth and prosperity in the tech industry.”

In May, Justin Nagle completed two certificates from NOVA: one in Data Center Operations and the other in Engineering Technology. Recently promoted to Senior Associate Engineer at Digital Realty, Justin’s journey with the company began as an intern two years ago, in July 2022.

His path to this career shift started while studying for the LSAT. Justin discovered his interest in STEM through his success in the logic games section. After some soul-searching, he decided to pursue education and training in the STEM field. Enrolling in a few courses at NOVA, he found a talent for math and consistently remained on the dean’s list throughout his studies, prompting Assistant Professor of IT and Engineering Technologies Ronnie Dasgupta to recommend that Justin take the DCO program.

“NOVA gave me the basic knowledge necessary to enter this career path. With these fundamentals in place, it was easy to transition into my engineering duties and build on that knowledge,” Justin said.

When asked about the biggest difference between being an intern and being employed at Digital Realty, he explained that interns are there to learn through training, mentorships, and exposure to various departments. They handle entry-level tasks under supervision and receive feedback. In contrast, employees are proficient in their roles, contributing to the company’s operations with defined responsibilities and greater autonomy. Full-time employees are more integrated into the company culture, participating in meetings, decision-making, and initiatives.

Justin explained that his increased experience from the internship made a significant impact on his professional role. He recognized the vast amount of expertise required at a data center, from building and equipment understanding to customer and management relations.

He also mentioned that the work pace can vary from slow to very fast, requiring vigilance and quick responses when needed. He encourages interns to pay close attention to what they are shown, engage with engineers and vendors, take copious notes, and get involved.

This hands-on approach served him well when, in November 2022, he began working the night shift at Digital Realty, a role he didn’t have difficulty with having previously worked in security and being accustomed to it.

“If you’re new and haven’t worked in data centers at all, the night shift is ideal for learning the campus, our systems, and completing necessary training. We don’t want someone inexperienced involved in high-risk critical operations due to the many variables and potential issues. Missing any step could lead to serious problems, like a yellow or red event, resulting in a loss of utility or customer equipment, which could be very costly,” he explained.

“At the end of my first week, we had a massive yellow event, which means a serious reduction in redundancy for our electrical systems. A vista switch blew up in the generator yard, putting seven suites on the generator. We had to respond quickly because the generators were burning fuel, and we needed Dominion Energy to restore our electrical utility as soon as possible. They arrived within 20 minutes. They brought in cranes, dug up the old vista switch, installed a new one, coupled it together, and brought the utility back online. Then we were able to shut down the generators and restore normal utility service.”

Justin eventually switched to the day shift. In his current role as a Senior Associate Engineer and the primary engineer for IAD35, he assists the building lead with daily operations. Mornings start fast with a turnover meeting to review the day’s activities and assignments. He then handles work orders, sets up vendor access, escorts vendors to their tasks, attends meetings, gathers parts from inventory for maintenance, writes Methods of Procedure (MOPs), and executes them in the afternoon.

Looking ahead, Justin is considering several paths. He may pursue a master’s in data analytics, continue advancing in engineering, or move up the ranks within the company. He could also become a building lead in two years or even a manager of engineering operations.

In addition to planning his future, he encourages NOVA students to apply to Digital Realty.

“NOVA is a really good school with strong programs. We get many good applicants from there, which I’ve been telling our operations manager. I promote NOVA students as much as I can, even if they haven’t graduated yet.”

Justin believes the data center operations field offers promising opportunities for aspiring professionals. “This is a rewarding career for anyone interested in engineering or data center work. Digital Realty is a great company, and there are many good firms where you can apply your skills and advance your career. For those unsure of their path but with good electrical or HVAC skills, we can train you and prepare you for a fulfilling career in this field.”

AFCOM, Career & Leadership Readiness Institute, CLRI, Computer Science, Data Center Operations, Data Centers, Engineering Technology, Internships, Interpersonal Skills, Networking, NOVA IET, NOVA IET Career Pathways, NOVA to Mason, NOVA to Workforce, STEM Careers

NOVA Student to DCO Workforce Spotlight: David Evers

“I feel fortunate to have participated in the Career & Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI) as part of NOVA’s Information and Engineering Technologies (IET) program. The people I’ve met along the way and the opportunities I’ve been given have been invaluable. I highly endorse NOVA’s IET program.”

David Evers recently graduated from NOVA with an A.S. in Computer Science (CS) and will pursue a 4-year degree in CS starting this fall at George Mason University.

David was interested in technology right from the start. “I remember being young and enjoying the outdoors, but once I came inside, I realized the vast possibilities computers offered. Plus, there’s abundant growth in the computer science field, with promising opportunities on the horizon,” he shared.

Like numerous technology students at NOVA seeking to advance their professional skills, David completed the Career & Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI). David found the program insightful, valuing personal stories, leadership insights, and career advice from visiting industry professionals. The curriculum emphasized essential soft skills, such as crafting an effective elevator pitch, building a strong personal brand, and developing a strategic resume. Particularly beneficial was guidance from Tom Gerencer from Gerencer Creative on aligning resume keywords with search algorithms.

Beyond academics, David enjoyed CLRI’s social activities, including a kickoff at Stack Infrastructure, networking with industry professionals, a golf tournament, happy hours, and involvement in the Data Center Young Professionals group.

David recommends the CLRI program to his IET peers, praising its effectiveness and positive impact. “It broadened my vantage point—I can see further,” he said. “I appreciated the program’s concise, solid, and meaningful information. I believe it builds the confidence and reassurance necessary for entering the workforce.”

In addition, he acquired hands-on experience in fiber optics and communications technology through his AFCOM internships at National Technologies (NTI) and IES Communications. At NTI, he was involved in fiber optic installations at a Microsoft data center in Leesburg, focusing on both inside and outside plant fiber runs. His experience at IES Communications included shadowing project managers in Chantilly and visiting various sites, such as a CyrusOne data hall and the Gainesville Crossing Data Center, where he learned about structured cabling project management.

Reflecting on his CLRI experience, he expressed gratitude for Andy Chavez, a NOVA IET Career and Technical Education Coordinator, and Sedrick Settle, an IET Career Advisor who organize CLRI. David described them by saying, “Mr. Chavez and Mr. Settle were great mentors throughout the program, approachable, friendly, and gregarious.”

David also singled out STACK Infrastucture VP TJ Ciccone, whom he met during the tour of STACK. “Walking alongside Mr. Ciccone was inspiring. Witnessing the data center’s operations, where servers work in perfect harmony to maintain 100% uptime, felt almost magical.”

David is currently employed at IES Communications at a Wells Fargo data center where he’s working on the fiber optic and CAT 6 structured cabling. He’s enjoying the experience with IES because he’s able to learn more about cabling, systems integration, and team collaboration within data center infrastructure.

His day-to-day work consists of pulling fiber optic/CAT 6 cable, patching fiber to the Corning EDGE cassettes (inside the rack enclosures), and labeling the fiber routes between rack enclosures. He’s learning a lot from his two superintendents, Malik Brokenburr and Jordan Gladney, as well as his project manager, Eric Younts.

His advice to NOVA students is “keep showing up, even if you’re not feeling your best self. When you continuously show up for yourself and for the people on your team, it speaks volumes about your character.”

David also participated in Amideast’s CASE Program in Tunisia with NOVA’s Study Abroad program, where he studied Tunisian post-colonial society, labor and migration, race and colorism, feminism and LGBTQIA communities, and culture.

“It was a wonderful experience where I met some great people in Tunisia as well as American students alongside me studying abroad. I would love for other NOVA students to be future CASE participants.”

Employee Spotlight, New Employee

New Employee Spotlights

We’re pleased to introduce two new members of our team: Regional STEM Coordinators Ti’Era Worsley and Christine Hirst Bernhardt.

Ti’Era joins NOVA SySTEMic from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was a Postdoctoral Researcher working with historically marginalized youth in informal makerspaces at the local Boys and Girls Club. During her time there, Ti’Era worked with youth for six years in STEM education, overseeing various projects ranging from circuitry, coding, robotics, to construction.

Ti’Era describes herself as a “Certified Tinkerer,” a passion she developed during her childhood. This interest led her to earn a Bachelor’s in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Technology and a Master of Natural Resources, both from North Carolina State University.

While pursuing her Master’s, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer through the Masters International program. From 2015 to 2017, Ti’Era served in Northern Peru as a Community-Based Environmental Manager, where she focused on raising awareness of environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources, and solid waste management (recycling).

Upon her return, she continued her work with youth and earned her Ph.D. in STEM Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Ti’Era is passionate about fostering community by placing a high value on building relationships with youth as they engage in STEM.

When she’s not working, Ti’Era enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Ti’Era can be reached at tworsley@nvcc.edu

Christine Hirst Bernhardt brings nearly two decades of experience teaching STEM and astronomy in both secondary and college. She is interested in using Earth and Space topics as a transdisciplinary gateway to STEM and conduit of agency, particularly in early learning.

In 2021-2022 she served in Congress as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow to advance federal STEM education initiatives. Her enthusiasm for all things space fostered the Excellence in Astronomy Teaching award and participation on NASA’s SOFIA mission. She has developed regional, State, and National materials such as a high-altitude balloon experiment program, the first student space symposium and an international space camp.

Christine identifies and addresses national needs in Earth and Space education as the US chair of the National Astronomy Education Coordinator team and US member of the Global Leadership in Earth Science Education. She is a PhD Candidate in STEM Education and holds Master’s in both Space Studies and Science Education.

A California native, Christine loves all things adventure; as a retired professional mountain biker, she’s often on the trails or the bike park when she’s not recovering from knee surgery. Christine has traveled to nearly 30 countries and is a proud boy mom of humans and dogs.

Christine can be reached at lhirst@nvcc.edu

 

 

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.

Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Internships, Network Engineering, NOVA IET, Student Success, Student to Workforce

NOVA Student Success Spotlight In IET: Muhammed Saleh

“I absolutely recommend NOVA. The professors are amazing, and there are a lot of opportunities here. I’m grateful for NOVA.”
~ Muhammed Saleh

Muhammed Saleh recently completed the Network Engineering Specialist C.S.C. certificate at NOVA and is set to graduate this summer with an associate degree in cybersecurity. His journey has been marked by his active involvement in various initiatives and clubs, particularly the Nighthawks Cloud, NOVA’s IET Cloud Computing Club at the Woodbridge campus.

He joined Nighthawks Cloud last spring and was soon elected as its president. The club, which boasts over 200 members, includes 20 active participants who attend in-person sessions, while others engage online. Active members gather on Thursdays at the Manassas campus for hands-on projects (prospective members can visit the Nighthawks Cloud website at https://nighthawks.cloud/ and join the Discord server for club information and event updates).

Last summer, Muhammed furthered his practical knowledge by completing an internship with VAE, Inc., a company renowned for providing top-tier infrastructure solutions to government and commercial clients. His manager introduced him to various departments within the company, allowing him to work with project management and ID management teams. His responsibilities included IT tasks and assisting in racking and configuring servers, providing him with invaluable hands-on experience.

Following his internship, Muhammed was hired part-time at NOVA as a lab support technician. For six months, he split his time between the Woodbridge and Manassas campuses, where he provided lab assistance and collaborated on projects with professors. “Working at NOVA was a great experience because I gained hands-on experience and exposure,” he said.

Currently, Muhammed works full-time remotely as a network engineer for Light Professional IT Services, a company specializing in computer security services. In this role, he serves as the point of contact for clients experiencing DDOS attacks, escalates issues to the cybersecurity team when necessary, and upgrades networks and projectors.

He also manages the NSF building’s network, ensuring the proper connection and functionality of IP cameras, access points, WiFi, IoT devices, and printers. “It’s fun. My team is really amazing and experienced, so they help me because I’m a newbie, but I learn every single day,” he said.

Muhammed strongly recommends that NOVA cybersecurity students pursue internships and obtain industry certifications from CompTIA or Cisco to enhance their knowledge and improve their job prospects. “This can deepen your industry knowledge and increase your chances of getting hired,” he advised.

With a passion for lifelong learning, Muhammed’s long-term goals include earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and he aspires to become a professor one day.

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.

AFCOM, Conferences, Data Center Operations, Data Centers, Networking, STEM Careers, STEM Expos

Innovation at Data Center World 2024

“Whatever your career interests might be, somewhere in the data center industry there is a place for you.” ~ Alan Howard, Principal Analyst of Cloud & Data Research at Omdia

In April, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. buzzed with activity as over 2,600 data center and IT professionals gathered for Data Center World 2024. The 4-day event featured an impressive lineup of over 70 sessions, 130 speakers, and 220 exhibiting vendors.

The annual conference, organized by AFCOM, the leading authority in data center education and networking, offered a robust program that included keynote speakers, panel discussions, and case studies. Attendees delved into crucial topics such as demand trends, cooling considerations, colocation, edge computing, community relations, power management, and the impact of AI on data center operations

The annual conference, organized by AFCOM, the leading authority in data center education and networking, offered a robust program that included keynote speakers, panel discussions, and case studies. Attendees delved into crucial topics such as demand trends, cooling considerations, colocation, edge computing, community relations, power management, and the impact of AI on data center operations

Data Center World continues to be the premier event for professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving data center industry.

One of the standout sessions was “Where Will Your Next Data Center Be? Evolution of Demand Trends Across the Data Center Industry,” co-presented by Alan Howard, Principal Analyst of Cloud & Data Research at Omdia, Colby Cox, Managing Director of Americas at DC Byte, and Ed Socia, Insight Director of North America at datacenterHawk.

This session tackled the critical task of choosing data center service providers, emphasizing the long-term commitment and logistical challenges involved. The panelists provided valuable insights into the shifting landscape of user demand and its impact on provider decisions. They explored regional growth, leasing statistics, and demand trends across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and the Asia Pacific region (APAC). Future industry growth drivers and location-related factors such as cost, proximity to IT staff and customers, power costs, tax incentives, and geographical risks were also discussed.

Ed Socia shared, “The Data Center Industry continues to witness significant growth, despite headwinds brought about by utility power challenges. This demand is driven largely by future space and power requirements being secured by cloud service providers and AI companies. Tight market conditions in existing data center markets are pushing operators to sub-markets, where they’re able to identify a path to power.”

Alan Howard added, “The world of data centers is little known to the general public, but most of us interact with data centers daily through our computers or phones without even knowing it. Every Facebook post, TikTok or Instagram interaction, or Amazon order requires the services of a data center. Plus, data centers are in a period of dramatic growth, and to be honest, the industry is desperate to attract new talent as much of the data center workforce is closing in on retirement.”

Highlighting the job opportunities in the data center industry, Howard said, “There are many jobs working inside of data centers that are exciting, rewarding, and pay well. But the industry is so much broader than that. Beyond the data centers themselves, there are tons of opportunities working for companies that make their business building or servicing data centers in some way. I’d say that whatever your career interests might be, somewhere in the data center industry there is a place for you.”

He also pointed out the industry’s resilience. “What makes the data center industry particularly unique is that it is rather recession-resistant. During periods of economic turmoil, like Covid, data centers are such a critical part of many companies’ operations that they are not likely to lay off employees.”

Colby Cox emphasized the global nature of data center opportunities, highlighting that while there are opportunities worldwide, the NOVA region will remain one of the most important data center markets.