This review is for the Operations only (I've watched YouTubes and have attended events in the past…read morethat were super cool, and I'm a fan of the maker community). Jennyfer was very rude, condescending, and unwelcoming to me. I have never felt so uncomfortable with anyone on the phone before. I emailed with an inquiry on availability for rental space and provided some ideas for volunteering that I could provide to the community. Not only did she imply that I had written "a lot of info to share via email," but then proceeded to ask me to what I wanted on the phone as if I was in an interrogation. She said, "Oh, I am sorry, I don't think you know who I am. Let me introduce myself....I manage Nova Labs and the Innovation Center... " This is unwarranted display of power and "gatekeeping" for a non-profit community organization. I had only visited the space several years ago when my friend had his office there. I am not aware of the politics or structure that she was implying about whether or not I was approvable in her eyes in becoming a member and volunteer with Nova Labs as well as whether I am qualified to rent an office space that should only be for"people who make things" not those who work at a desk. I make things using my computer and with my hands. Really disappointed and sad that this all just happened.

I want to like this place so much but I can't under current operations. I quit after two months…read more Too many bad experiences. You can always try a month and see it's for you. I reserved the laser cutter but people would be on it and tell me to take a hike. Several code violations that shutdown most of the back so could not work on some projects. Odd personalities to deal with like at a disfunctional job site. Lots of newbies that I question if they have ever used a hammer or cordless drill. My personality is more organized and process orienteded, read engineering not liberal arts, so this place drove me nuts, BUT they are volunteers so I have to give them some leeway. Pros: Assortment of tools to cover any project. Layout based on type project type. Training sessions. Cons: Training session cost on the high side. This does weed out the not serious people looking for free entertainment. Equipment not available when you arrive. Equipment down or somebody is using it. One hour commute and $5 gas down the toilet. People not cleaning up, leaving tools out, screwing up the adjustment of machines.

This is a state of the art facility. It's a GWU facility. The TWA wreckage from the crash of 1996…read morerests here. Great people. Great venue. This entire campus is just stellar. I'm a graduate of GWU and did not even know this Science and Technology campus existed. I am not surprised at all. It has been quite an experience learning here at this facility.

Last year I took the "Tile, Grout, and Thinset" class with the DIY Academy. It was a fantastic…read moreexperience and it gave me the confidence to fix up one of the smaller bathrooms at my house. With my master bathroom repair-and-renovation looming, I wanted to expand my knowledge base more, and Rich and the DIY Academy were once again there to help. Instead of a class, I participated in the volunteering arm of the program and assisted in the demolition and subfloor preparation of an actual master bathroom. It was a whole day of cutting, grinding, smashing, and trashing, but it certainly affirmed the old maxim, "The best way to learn is to do." A lot of times it seems educators in any field see fit to show and tell, but not so here. Rich was always there to supervise and provide support, but it was apparent that he was dedicated to having the student learn by action and not by observation. His methods provided a great blend of experience-based learning and direct instruction. Being able to take part in each process necessary to strip a room down to its bones eliminated two obstacles that scare off most homeowners from attempting to do their own renovation work. First, it removed the mystery of a home's construction: every layer of material holding the old bathroom together could be seen and held. Second, it provided some level of expectation: now having seen how the various surfaces and materials are held together, I know my own bathroom's construction will not be terribly far off. This all works together to establish a sort of baseline muscle memory for the work to be done in the future. This was another great experience with DIY Academy and I hope more such opportunities arise in the future!

From the owner: DIY Academy is a workshop for the novice DIYer who is interested in learning hands-on skills for…read morevarious home improvement projects and repairs to your increase knowledge base when working with contractors/handymen or to be able to complete a project on your own. We will have workshops that cover various topics such as kitchen backsplash installation, minor plumbing (replacing a toilet, changing out sink hardware, installing a garbage disposal), minor drywall repair, tile floor installation, remodeling a shower, demo of tile / shower, tile installation materials, caulking, grout repair and more! This is an excellent opportunity to learn a new skill from licensed and trained professionals who are in the trades and meet new people and work in a group setting to learn these skills.

I had the honor of training with Mr. Syed Iftikhar (Mr. Safe) at CDL Safe Driving Academy, and I…read morecan confidently say he is the best CDL instructor out there. His teaching style is clear, patient, and practical--he focuses on real-world driving techniques that prepare you not only to pass the CDL exam but also to drive safely and professionally afterward. Mr. Safe is extremely accessible and easy-going, always making time for his students. He works tirelessly every day until 7pm to ensure no one is left behind. Beyond being a skilled instructor, he is a kindhearted, genuine gentleman who truly cares about the success of his students. His professionalism, encouragement, and deep knowledge of CDL requirements made the entire process smooth and stress-free. A special mention also goes to his assistant Jimmy, who is a great man as well--always supportive, respectful, and ready to help students succeed. Together, they create a very welcoming and motivating environment. Because of their guidance, I passed the Virginia CDL exam and now hold my CDL license. I highly recommend CDL Safe Driving Academy to anyone serious about getting their CDL. If you want instructors who are patient, dedicated, and sincerely invested in your success, Mr. Safe and his team are the best!

Safe driving academy is one of the best in the DMV area. Not only did they teach me how to drive…read morewhen I was a teenager but they also keep me a safe driver by all the courses they offer to only improve my driving skills. They have all your bases covered as far as driving goes, highly recommend to everyone and anyone!

PMTI was Awesome I passed the PMP using their method and no other materials I don't even have the…read morePMBOK

PMTI was a best course for preparing me to take the PMP exam. Tom was a very knowledgable…read moreinstructor and explained the course topics so that students of all levels could understand and consume the information. I would highly recommend taking the PMP prep course through PMTI.

For the tech oriented. Looking for advance Mac training/Enterprise integration or looking to…read moreadvance your career? Check out Tech 2000. They offer tech certifications as well.

The Absolute WORST camp ever!! My kid camp home with bruises and bloody nose!! The owner tried to…read morecover it up!!!! Instead of telling me. Don't send your kids here if you expect transparency and SAFETY!!!! The owner lacks INTEGRITY!!!

we had the pleasure of working with Scigenie in a workshop setting. Kids of all ages--preschool…read morethru 4th graders--were enamored with the experience. It was fun, it was educational, and it was hands on! The workers obviously loved kids, were so engaging, and were saintly on how many questions they answered. Cannot say enough good things!