NOVA Manassas joins with Micron, BAE on new mechatronics degree program and “fab” laboratory

Northern Virginia Community College will receive a first round project grant to create a state-of-the-art engineering technology Fabrication Laboratory, called “Fab Lab,” at NOVA’s Manassas Campus, a news release said. Funding is coming through the Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) economic development program,

NOVA will join Micron Technology, U.S. Army’s Night Vision and Sensors Directorate and BAE Systems on the project to establish resources needed to grow and strengthen the current and future engineering technology workforce in Northern Virginia.

The Fab Lab will be a hub to connect industry to the developing technology workforce and support NOVA’s industry-aligned Engineering Technology program.

It will also be leveraged by NOVA’s STEM outreach program, NOVA SySTEMic, to inspire K-12 interest and encourage future generations to pursue careers in engineering technology.

According to former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the Fab Lab will leverage public and private funding to grow and diversify each region’s economy to assist in creating job opportunities in areas such as cybersecurity and workforce development.

Local contributors Micron Technology, U.S. Army’s Night Vision and Sensors Directorate and BAE Systems have made significant investments to assist in developing the Fab Lab as a means to grow and diversify the workforce with highly-trained professionals.

Founded in 2010, NOVA SySTEMic is a public-private partnership among school divisions, the business community, NOVA and universities established to develop a pipeline of students pursuing a STEM degree or certificate. The initiative is addressing the STEM shortage in Northern Virginia by bolstering STEM activities and career exploration opportunities for students. Micron has also made significant contributions to NOVA SySTEMic’s STEM EXPO events, VEX robotics competitions, engineering competitions, STEM laboratories, summer robotics and training programs.

The Fab Lab will offer state-of-the-art equipment for instructional and training use, some of which will include a 3D scanner, multiple 3D printers, a laser engraver, modular automation systems, electronics and power control systems, computer numerical control (CNC) router, a CNC-based subtractive prototyping unit, a circuit prototyping system and SolidWorks software to support computer-aided design projects.