®
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2020
2019
YEAR IN REVIEW
WWW.NOVA-LABS.ORG
® Rediscover the Joy of Making Things
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CONTENTS 04
Message from the Editor
06
Board Updates
10
Year in Review Pictures
20
Happenings in January
24
Safety Reminder
Call for Volunteers
Nova Labs | January Newsletter | Page 3
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR December always feels like one of the busier months, and this year was no exception. We had the shortest gap possible between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the typical march toward the shortest day on the winter solstice, presents to buy and hopefully make, and holiday travel. Because of all of this, our first newsletter of the new decade is going to be slightly abbreviated. We’ll be back at full steam for February, so get those articles and photos going now! Nova Labs had an eventful December as well. We kicked off of our Capital Campaign and had a month of matching from a generous donor (plus a handful of members who also offered personal matches). There was a well-attended holiday potluck and gift exchange, and we had the first member meeting featuring our new president and several new board members. My big takeaway from that meeting was just how critical a time we are entering at Nova Labs: This month I got a “on this day” reminder on Facebook from when I posted photos of my first Nova Labs project back in 2013. I lived through the move from Nova Labs 1.0 to our current location, and our first Kickstarter campaign. We survived that move, and in most ways are a stronger and more diverse group now than we were just a few years ago. Our website and this newsletter look great, we have better safety and training programs, and tribes that didn’t exist before now meet regularly. The wiki is still a bit of a pain to edit, Meetup seems to have issues daily, and burnout from leaders and heavy contributors is still a thing. But overall, we are making progress. All of this is to say we have a good foundation as we start preparing for Nova Labs 3.0; we’re one of the bigger makerspaces in the country after all. But, we have real challenges on the horizon related to our space needs, location, and securing enough funding to give us options. Through all of that we need to keep that “special sauce” of Nova Labs, which is the people. We have a ton of talented, smart, and generous makers who scan into Nova Labs every day. As long as we can keep attracting cool folks to create interesting stuff, hang out, and share their various skills, I think we’ll be well on our way. I’ll close with a project and a thought that kept me busy for the past few weeks: I think 2020 is going to be a tough year for the United States, and we have a lot of planning to do so Nova Labs will still have a home in a few years. But, if remember to be excellent to each other, we’ll probably be alright. Party on, dudes,
Andrew Albosta Assistant Editor Find me on Nova Labs Slack: @andbosta Page 4 | January Newsletter | Nova Labs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sam Aparicio President
Daryl Peace Vice President of Outreach
Jim Girardi Vice President of Operations
Margaret Kositch Treasurer
Karen Shumway Secretary
Mona Davis Assistant Treasurer and Director
Marybeth Haneline Director
Brian Jacoby Director
Shane Smith Director
Jeff Spugnardi Director
Nova Labs | January Newsletter | Page 5
BOARD UPDATES by Daryl Peace and Karen Shumway
December has been an exciting month of change in our makerspace. We launched the 50/50 Capital Campaign to start building our nest egg for the procurement of a new building when our current lease runs out January 2022. A heartfelt thanks to all Nova Labs members and contributors for making the Match Campaign a success. With your exceeding generosity, we were able to raise $110,000 from 241 contributors! A huge round of applause to Marketing, Operations, and Treasurers for their tireless efforts running such a successful fundraising campaign. Thank YOU for enabling this strong start to 2020; Nova Lab’s future is bright! Aside from the Capital Campaign, the Board also finalized their 2020 Strategic Aims. We were guided by a North Star in this effort:
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To create a large community makerspace for all audiences that has a permanent place and acts as an anchor for the DC metro area Creating the Strategic Plan for 2020 was only a good first step. We hope to begin the next decade by making regular, steady progress on these aims in our weekly Benchwork meeting. If you have any questions for the board, remember you can always find us at asktheboard@nova-labs.org!
STEWARDS Doug Calvert Woodshop Steward
Zack Borschuck CNC Steward
Frank Hum Metalshop Steward
Patrick Marstall Blacksmith Steward
Patrick Thompson Laser Lab Steward
Carrie Hafer Crafters Cove Steward
Steve Fritzinger Plastics and Composites Steward
Paul Chase 3D Printer Steward
Nova Labs | January Newsletter | Page 7
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TEAM LEADS Jennyfer Peterson Operations Services
Jeanne Marshall Outreach Team Lead
Fabiana Cesa Youth Team Lead
Patrick Thompson Safety Team Lead
Fred Briggs Entrepreneur Team Lead
Daniel Schneider Volunteer Team Lead
Nova Labs | January Newsletter | Page 9
THE 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW: CREATED AT AND BY NOVA LABS MAKERS
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Most of the pictures were obtained from the “show-us-what-you-got” channel on Slack. Nova Labs | January Newsletter | Page 19
HAPPENINGS IN JANUARY Main Attractions in January are below. Click here for all events Date
Start Time
Class or Event
Meetup Link
Wednesdays and Sundays
07:00 PM
Woodshop Wednesday and Sunday: Get help and supervised tool practice
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/nqlzjrybccbcb/
Thursdays
06:00 PM
CNC Open Office Hours (Matsuura, Shopsabre, and CAD/CAM)
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/rjxdmrybccbdb/
Fridays
06:00 PM
Drone Interest Group
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/bjstkrybccbfb/
Alternating Fridays 07:00 PM
Youth Tabletop RPGs (e.g. D&D)
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/bkkxkrybccbfb/
Alternating Fridays 07:00 PM
Game Night
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/bnkrgrybccbfb/
Fri, Jan 3, 2020
07:00 PM
GO: Green Orientation Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267216492/
Sat, Jan 4, 2020
03:00 PM
BL: Blacksmithing 101 Safety Sign off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267295490/
Sat, Jan 4, 2020
04:00 PM
Nova Labs Tiny Whoop Drone Practice
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/cxhpvqybccbgb/
Saturdays
05:00 PM
BL: Blacksmithing Open Office Hours and Practice Session
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267295619/
Sun, Jan 5, 2020
9:00 AM
WW: Table Saw Sign off Class
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235102/
Sun, Jan 5, 2020
01:00 PM
Shop Hallway Drop Ceiling Removal Roundup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/266885913/
Mon, Jan 6, 2020
07:00 PM
WW: Jointer, Planer, Thickness Sander (Materials Prep) Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235287/
Mondays
07:00 PM
3d Printer Build Night
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/xfgtfpybccbjb/
Mon, Jan 6, 2020
07:00 PM
WW: Woodshop Yellow Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235423/
Mondays
07:00 PM
Metalshop Mondays: Project help and https://www.meetup.com/NOPractice Session VA-Makers/events/dlrmwqybccbjb/
1st Tuesdays
06:00 PM
Wood Lathe Skill Enhancement
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/ltzdmrybccbkb/
Tue, Jan 7, 2020
07:00 PM
National Drone Science University (NDSU) Drone Science
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/hlfmlrybccbkb/
2nd Wednesdays
07:00 PM
Build a humanitarian drone with Team https://www.meetup.com/NORhinoHawk VA-Makers/events/tjglkrybccblb/
Wednesdays
07:00 PM
Nova Labs Tour
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/tprmbrybccblb/
Alternating Wednesdays
07:00 PM
Craig Trader’s Open Office Hours
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/gvkmkrybccblb/
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Date
Start Time
Class or Event
Meetup Link
2nd Thursdays
07:00 PM
Going Pro? Turning a Hobby into a Business
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/rwztkrybccbmb/
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
07:00 PM
AC: CNC Embroidery Machine 101
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267177846/
2nd Thurs
07:00 PM
Electronics Evening Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/ndqmxqybccbmb/
Alternating Fridays 07:00 PM
Makers Circle & Art Lab
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/svbmgrybccbnb/
Fridays
07:00 PM
Chat with the President
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/zfwvkrybccbnb/
Fridays
07:00 PM
Kinetic Sculpture Build Team Open to all
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/pplfjrybccbnb/
Sat, Jan 11, 2020
9:00 AM
WW: Intro to Wood Turning Lathe Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/266138671/
Sat, Jan 11, 2020
12:00 PM
CNC Mill Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267305751/
Sat, Jan 11, 2020
02:00 PM
Nova Labs Open House -Â Volunteers Needed for Tours/Demos/Bring your stuff
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/mvmkkrybccbpb/
Sat, Jan 11, 2020
03:00 PM
BL: Blacksmithing 101 Safety Sign off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267295496/
2nd Mondays
06:00 PM
NoVA Hackers at NoVA Labs
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/tsmckrybccbrb/
Mon, Jan 13, 2020
07:00 PM
3d Printer Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/cvmfmrybccbrb/
Mon, Jan 13, 2020
07:00 PM
WW: Table Saw Sign off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/266138683/
Tue, Jan 14, 2020
07:00 PM
Tech Toast: Technical speaking and presentation skills
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/qkwncpybccbsb/
Wed, Jan 15, 2020
07:00 PM
Woodshop Wednesday: Get help and supervised tool practice
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/nqlzjrybccbtb/
3rd Wed
07:00 PM
NoVA TOOOL Locksport Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/nmqvkqybccbtb/
Thu, Jan 16, 2020 07:00 PM
Entrepreneur Speaker: Callye Keen
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267258357/
Sat, Jan 18, 2020
9:00 AM
WW: Intermediate Wood Lathe Turning Plates and Platters
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267242534/
3rd Saturdays
10:00 AM Robotics Group Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/ncdpcpybccbxb/
3rd Saturdays
01:00 PM
NVIDIA Jetson GPU Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/mwpdqqybccbxb/
Sat, Jan 18, 2020
03:00 PM
BL: Blacksmithing 101 Safety Sign off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267295503/
3rd Saturdays
05:00 PM
STEM4Kids Kids Open Maker Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/ghfhkrybccbxb/ Nova Labs | January Newsletter | Page 21
Date
Start Time
Class or Event BL: Blacksmithing Open Office Hours and Practice Session
Meetup Link https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267295637/
Sat, Jan 18, 2020
05:00 PM
Sun, Jan 19, 2020 10:00 AM MW: TIG Welding Red Tool Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267317149/
3rd Sat
02:00 PM
Rockets and Spacecraft MeetUp
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/pbkvjrybccbzb/
Mon, Jan 20, 2020
07:00 PM
WW: Jointer, Planer, Thickness Sander (Materials Prep) Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235295/
3rd Mondays
07:00 PM
National Space Science University (NSSU) Space Engineering
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/mvhxlrybccbbc/
Mon, Jan 20, 2020
07:00 PM
WW: Woodshop Yellow Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235433/
3rd Tuesdays
07:00 PM
Arduino group meeting
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/zngfnqybccbcc/
Fri, Jan 24, 2020
07:00 PM
AC: Advanced Acrylic Flow Painting: Negative Space
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267291077/
Sat, Jan 25, 2020
10:00 AM WW: Woodshop Yellow Sign Off
Sat, Jan 25, 2020
10:00 AM
WW: Jointer, Planer, Thickness Sander (Materials Prep) Sign Off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235517/
Sat, Jan 25, 2020
03:00 PM
BL: Blacksmithing 101 Safety Sign off
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267295510/
Tue, Jan 28, 2020
06:00 PM
STEM4Kids: Take-Apart for kids
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/xlpmhrybccblc/
4th Tuesdays
07:00 PM
Raspberry Pi Users Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/lprkkrybccblc/
4th Tuesdays
07:00 PM
Tech Toast Toastmasters: Technical speaking and presentation skills
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/hbsdcrybccblc/
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https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/267235482/
SAFETY REMINDER Mind your PPE -- it only takes a skinny minute to create a long-lasting injury. N.B. PPE = personal protective equipment (eyes, ears, hands/fingers potentially) To emphasize, Stewards are one of the most effective pieces of PPE that we have at Nova Labs. If in any doubt, ask a Steward, they will literally place themselves between you and the equipment.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS Our most critical need is for Team Leaders. Volunteering as a Team Leader at Nova Labs is an engaging, hands-on way to deepen your current leadership skills. Put your prior leadership experience to work while working toward a worthy goal at an increasingly high-profile nonprofit. Re-envision Nova Labs Team Leadership roles as an opportunity How can volunteering as a Nova Labs Team Leader benefit you? Here are the key benefits that can boost your skills and value as a leader. • Exposure to senior leaders both inside and outside of the organization. • Use of planning tools, such as Asana, in support of business strategic goals, major project management, task structuring, goal setting, and task management. • Hands-on learning and mentoring from senior leaders and professional sessions (in planning) to practice solving complex, real-world business issues with a diverse, cross-functional group. • Learning to act as mentor for emerging, high-potential leaders to develop. • Leading new organizational initiatives to develop project management skills. Education Team Leader: Make Nova Labs a better place to teach and learn Finance Team Leader: Manage Nova Labs’ finances to keep Nova Labs growing and thriving Steward Team Leader: Lead and represent the shop stewards and keep the shops running Tech Services Team Leader: Keep Nova Labs’ technical infrastructure in working order and make improvements to facilitate Nova Labs’ mission, operations, and programs. Contact volunteering@nova-labs.org if you’re interested! Team Leader Vacancies list, click here
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