This Month's Featured events

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• AC_P01: Ukrainian Easter Egg Decoration

  • When
    5 Apr 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs, 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 (Classroom 2)
  • Spaces left
    3

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  This method uses a wax-resistant batik style to preserve color and form after it is dyed in each color bath. We will teach you some of the history and tradition with hands-on use of the tools, dyes, and waxes. All supplies will be provided. Paying folks will be able to actively participate, receive an egg stand, and take your decorated egg with you.

  Prerequisite: None

  Instructor: Dave has been teaching this class which celebrates the Easter season for several years.

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• WW_P01: French-Style Rolling Pin with Celtic Knot Design (2 days)

  • Start
    6 Apr 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    13 Apr 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs (Woodshop), 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax VA
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  

  IMPORTANT: This is a 2 day class (April 6 and April 13)

  In this hands-on woodworking class, students will craft a French-style rolling pin featuring an intricate Celtic Knot-inspired design. Participants will learn essential lathe turning techniques, precision inlay work, and finishing methods to create a functional and artistic kitchen tool. 

  You do NOT need any tool sign offs for this class. Turning experience is a plus and would be a benefit to you, but not required. This is a limited tools use project class and will not provide any woodshop tool sign-offs.

  This is a 2-day workshop.

  • Day 1 - Sunday, April 6th at 9:00 am - will focus on design, materials, jigs, finishes, cutting and the glue up of your rolling pen.
  • Day 2 - Sunday, April 13th at 9:00 am - will focus allowing students to turn the rolling pin on the lathe, sand and finish the rolling pen.

  Prerequisite: None. 

  Instructor: Steven 

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• WW_P: Hand Plane Tuning and Technique

  • When
    7 Apr 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  Instructor: Christopher Sexton
  

  Tired of the noise and dust from big loud machines? Sick of sanding? Nothing compares to the sweet joy you get from a traditional hand plane. But for those who have never used one, it can be a challenge.

  This course will help remove the frustration from bench planes as you get the foundations of hand tool woodworking. You will learn:
  

  • How to flatten a sole and clean up any rust
    
  • Prepare the chip breaker and flatten the back of the iron
    
  • Establish a bevel, add camber, and sharpen
    
  • Properly seat the frog and adjust the mouth
    
  • Set the iron and adjust
    
  • Technique for planing flat and square

  If you already have your hand planes, bring ‘em along. Students are strongly encouraged to bring along to tune up their own tools during the class.

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• TS_P: Make your own Leather Belt

  • When
    9 Apr 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs, (The Studio), 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  
  

  Make a leather belt from scratch – No experience, no tools, no problem!

  Ever wanted to craft something with your own two hands that is beautiful and wearable.

  You’ll make a custom leather belt from scratch (almost—you’ll start with a blank strap). First, you’ll learn leather 101 and learn the basics of leather and its characteristics. Then, dive into flexing your elementary school math skills to determine how long of a leather strap you need and where to make holes on your new handmade-in-the-USA belt.

  Best of all, you get to take your masterpiece home and wear it with pride until it doesn’t fit anymore. But don’t worry, you can take the “Make a longer leather belt from scratch!”. And to sweeten the deal even more, no need to lug anything on the metro because all materials and tools are provided, so just bring yourself and maybe a friend for moral support (as long as they buy a ticket too). 

  Sign up now and get ready to craft a belt so fine, your jeans will thank you!

  IMPORTANT: Before class, measure your waist (see instructions in the email we'll send you)
  

  Prerequisites: None, Age 16+

  Sign-off: None

  Instructor: Darsh

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• TS_S03: Airbrush Tools 101 Sign-off

  • When
    20 Apr 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    *Nova Labs, 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 (The Studio)
  • Spaces left
    2

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  If you’re an artist, baker, model maker, or makeup artist, airbrushes are a tool that you should be familiar with. They allow you to apply and blend paints, inks and other finishes in ways that are almost impossible to duplicate with other tools. In this course, we’ll discuss how airbrushes work and the different types of airbrushes available on the market. We’ll look at how to set up and use an airbrush. You’ll have a chance to try the various types of brush, and to practice with one or more of the brushes available. We’ll look at some of the more common problems that you might encounter and how to fix them. Finally you’ll learn how to clean an airbrush before packing it up.

  Sign off: Airbush tools
  Prerequisites: none
  Instructor: Adam Renner

  
  

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• EL_P02: Intro to Microcontroller Programming with the Arduino (Online)

  • When
    24 Apr 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online event

  Register

  
  

  *** Live Mentor Class *** (Not a pre-recorded session)

  Elevate your basic electronics skills with this hands-on introduction to basic microcontroller hardware and programming class using the inexpensive Arduino board. Connect to switches, LEDs, resistors, and other basic components using the TinkerCAD simulator. In electronics, the inexpensive Arduino allows you to add interactive features and control other devices. New to coding? TinkerCAD block coding tools helps get you started to writing code for all our project needs.

  Note: The 4 classes in our basic electronics series (EL_P01, P02, P03, and P04) along with a successfully mentored project earns the Nova Labs Basic Electronics Microcertification.

  Prerequisites: None. *This is an adult class, but beginners of all ages are welcome.

  Other Nova Labs Events you should attend: The Arduino meetups (3rd Tuesday in the month) and Robotics Meetups (1st and 3rd Saturday in the month) now held virtually, at which you can discuss your projects with other makers. After Nova Labs reopens, there will be Electronics Evenings to discuss projects, and members can use the Electronics bench to make things.

  Before Class Sign up for a free TinkerCAD account before class so that you can take full advantage and follow along on your screen.
  

  • TinkerCAD is a web based simulator. You do not have to download anything. You do have to make an account with a login.
  • Register for an account: Go to web page www.tinkercad.com
  • Log into TinkerCAD; it will help if you have also accessed TinkerCAD Circuits (below the “3D Designs” option) and looked at the interface.

  Zoom Link: Available upon registration only. The link is also sent in 2 reminder emails. Email us at support@nova-labs.org if you do not receive it within 15 minutes of registration. Contact us at least 1 day before the class if you did not receive the 3 emails.

  ***Your instructor, Nick Carter, is donating all proceeds for this class to Nova Labs. You may contact him at nick.carter@nova-labs.org.

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• AC_P: Paper Engineering 101 Make Your Own Popup Mother's Day Card

  • When
    26 Apr 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs (Classroom 2), 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  Show your Mom just how much they mean to you with an amazing popup card you make yourself!

  Put that geometry knowledge to work for you and get started in the art of making pop-up paper structures. Learn about and experiment with v-folds, parallel folds, converging creases, and more. A few basic skills are all that is needed to gain an understanding of the wonders of paper pop-up engineering, and start designing your own creations. 

  During the second part of the class we will assemble a precut pop up card to take home and celebrate the beginning of summer.

  This activity is accessible to all ages. Adult/child teams are strongly recommended for children younger than 11 or children with little experience making. An adult/child team will only build one card and pay for one registration. 

  Maximum 6 registered attendants.

  Prerequisites: ability to use scissors, fold and crease paper. Level of difficulty: intermediate 

  Age requirement: 11+ 

  Instructor: Fabiana Cesa is a maker educator. She has taught for the Nova Labs MakerSchool for the past three years.

  
  

  The class must have 3 participants sign up to run. If this does not happen those who have paid will be issued a full refund.

  
  

  
  

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• Nova Labs Volunteer Appreciation Day Dinner

  • When
    26 Apr 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs (Events Bay), 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax VA

  Register

  
  

  To all those who volunteer to help build and support your makerspace, let us honor you! Please invite your families to join us for the celebration.

  To get accurate numbers for catering you must register by Wednesday the 3rd including any guests that you plan to bring.

  We want to honor you for your hard work in painting, wiring, leading, organizing, patching, cabling, sysadmining, filling out the paperwork, cleaning the dust bin, taking out the trash, mentoring, etc. You make the makerspace happen with each hour you dedicate to serving.

  Join us for a delicious catered meal, with exciting extertainment and lots of laughs in our Maker Lounge, especially decorated for the celebration of YOU!

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• 3d_P: Introduction to Onshape

  • When
    3 May 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs, Inc. 3850 Jermantown Road. Fairfax City, VA 22030 (Classroom 1)
  • Spaces left
    2

  Register

  

  
  

  Course Description: Get ready to transform your ideas into reality with "Introduction to Onshape". In a little over two hours, you'll learn and practice enough skills to create your own 3D models. Every great design —whether a bold, imaginative piece or a precise custom part— starts with CAD (Computer-Aided Design) before it can be manufactured.

  Whether you're a new maker or an experienced one, this course provides CAD-rookies with an opportunity to learn navigate Onshape and master its essential tools. With hands-on, step-by-step class exercises, you will gain experience quickly and be ready to continue the journey on your own.

  At Nova Labs, 3D printers and other manufacturing machines await your projects.  Discover the art of CAD, along with tips and best practices to help bring your ideas to life.

  Join us and start creating 3D models even before you leave the class!

  Prerequisite: None. Age 13+ only please

  To bring: We recommend you bring your own laptop, charger and mouse. However, we do have classroom laptops. Signing up for an Onshape.com account before class is encouraged.

  Instructors: Fabiana Cesa and Thomas Carver

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• AC_P: Make a Shoulder Dragon

  • When
    17 May 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Location
    Nova Labs3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  
  

  

  Come make this whimsical dragon and learn basic techniques to make stuffed toys. The dragon is shaped to perch on a person’s shoulder. 

  Already cut materials will be provided. Please make sure you sign up early enough to give the instructor time to prepare the materials. Dragons are made from fleece and felt and decorated with a variety of materials. Several colors will be available. 

  This activity is accessible to all ages. Adult/child teams are strongly recommended for children younger than 11 or children with little making experience. An adult/child team will only build one dragon and pay for one registration. 

  
  

  Maximum 6 dragon-making-persons. 

  Prerequisites: no previous sewing experience is needed
  
  Age requirement: 11+ or with an adult

  Instructor: Fabiana Cesa is a maker educator. She has taught for the Nova Labs MakerSchool for the past three years.

  Class must have 3 participants sign up to run. If this does not happen those who have paid will be issued a full refund.

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