Fab Lab Offerings
The Challenge
Fabricate an innovative product or enhance an existing product designed specifically for the human head.
Description
Ready to dive into a head-spinning adventure? Your mission is to create or revamp a product that’s all about the noggin! Whether you’re thinking helmets, headpieces, or any bold and imaginative concept that honors the human head, we want to see your wildest ideas come to life.
Design Categories:
- Protection: Imagine next-gen gear to keep our heads safe in any situation—be it work, sports, or even during extreme weather! What will make your design stand out?
- Medical: Innovate headgear with a focus on health and comfort. From dental headgear to other medical necessities, how can your design improve patient care?
- Fashion Forward: Let your creativity shine with headgear that’s all about making a fashion statement. How will your design turn heads and set trends?
- Status Symbol: Create or upgrade a headpiece that exudes elegance and prestige. Think crowns, tiaras, or any symbol of high status. How will your design make a statement?
- Hair Containment: Design a stylish yet functional way to manage and showcase hair. From sleek to quirky, what’s your solution for hair-taming?
Who’s Eligible?
To be eligible, participants must be current students residing in the continental U.S. The competition will feature two age divisions: 10-15 years old and 16 and up.
Dates:
September 1st – Design Submission Portal Opens
November 17th – Design Submission Portal Closes at 11:59pm November 17th – Finalists Announced
December 13th – Awards Ceremony
Prizes:
Division Champions – $500
Division Runner-up – $250
Division Honorable Mention – $100
*Divisions are 10-15 years old and 16+.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SUBMIT GO TO fablab.novastem.us/DesignChallenge
NOVA Makers is a membership program, which opens the NOVA Fab Lab to NOVA Students, Faculty and Staff to work on personal projects during our Open Labs.
How does it work?
- Enroll in the NOVA Makers Course on Canvas.
- On Canvas, pass the online Safety Orientation Certification and fill out the release form, which will make you an official member!
- Come-in during open lab hours to use machines and equipment. If it is your first time visiting or you need some help, ask a NOVA Fab Lab staff member for assistance.
Membership Fee
NOVA Makers is free for NOVA students, faculty, and staff, as well as dual enrolled high school students.
NOVA Makers Open Lab Hours
Monday | 5pm – 9pm
Tuesday | 5pm – 9pm
Wednesday | 1pm – 4pm
Thursday | 9am – 12pm
Friday | 12pm, 4pm
NOVA’s Junior Makers program creates a fun, social environment for our youngest generation of makers to be introduced to fabrication and to build confidence in their STEM and problem-solving skills!
We offer a wide range of topics and activities for 4th-8th grade students to create a unique project with their parent or guardian.
Fall 2024 sessions are now available on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For full details and registration, visit fablab.novastem.us/JrMaker
Activities:
September 21 – Rocket Launch Challenge (Prototyping & Teamwork)
October 5 – Sewing with Circuits (Circuitry & Sewing)
October 19 – Fall-themed Woodcraft (Wood Working & Laser Cutting)
November 2 – Casting Chocolate Legos (Vacuum Forming)
November 16 – Holiday Picture Puzzle (Laser Cutting & UV Printing)