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!

Found this place through Groupon's $35 Corrective Facial deal. Their regular price is $45 and they…read morehave a stamp card where after 5 facials you get one free (which they didn't give me the first time I went, mind you). Price wise, it's unbeatable in this area. As far as what the price gets you...well a student edition that's slower and therefore abridged. There's a lot they simply don't have time for as the student tries to rush through everything in about 45minutes. The first time takes longer as there's a review of your intake forms, and a discussion on what products to use during this facial. After cleansing, an instructor comes in to check your skin and advise the student on what to do and what products to use. I found this process useful for determining what products I should and should not use. I came back and scheduled with the same student just to get an idea of how much my skin might've improved after following the instructors advice. Very useful. They student double cleanses while streaming your skin. There's always makeup removal even though I've tried telling them I have permanent makeup and no additional makeup on. I really wished they would add this to their chart so we can just skip all this "makeup removal" when no makeup is worn. Anyway, after double cleansing there's an inspection, in my case exfoliation, a mask, and then some treatment as necessary. I assume not everyone has the same treatment as we have different issues to address. Overall the rooms and tables are comfortable. They play pleasant music. It's meant to be a relaxing spa experience. However, as they don't have any lymphatic massage included, or bring any of the facial down to your neck/chest, it really feels a little j complete. There's also not been any extraction even though estheticians usually would extract.

I'm so happy I discovered esthetic Institute through groupon. Now I've been here over 8 times and…read moreI've been working with one particular student for a few months now. Her level of knowledge with problem/acne skin has impressed me. As someone who has tried almost everything in the industry and visited countless dermatologists for years to treat my face, I've never been treated with such great attention to my skin and such a personalized action plan. She has been working to lighten my hyperpigmentation and I already see great improvement. I've done regular facials, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. Now that my hyperpigmentation has been improving, I hopped over to their location next door (the Esthetic Laser Clinic, not to be confused with Esthetic Institute-where the students are) and got microneedling (Skinpen) done. I am excited to see the results. The Esthetic Laser clinic is the real deal and it is not done by students. Pricing for the Esthetic Institute is wonderful, especially for this area where everything seems to be on the higher end. I'm sad to be moving from the area soon but I know that anytime I'm back in town, a trip to the esthetic Institute will be on my list!

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.

I recently completed the SDET bootcamp at Meta Xcel in Sterling and wanted to share my experience…read more I was coming from a totally non-tech background and English is actually my fourth language, so I was a bit nervous. But right from day one, the instructors were patient and explained everything clearly, which helped me feel confident during lectures and hands-on labs. The program was practical and focused. They didn't just teach me testing tools and automation frameworks. They also offered real support for getting a job. They worked with me on my resume, helped improve my LinkedIn profile, and coached me through mock interviews. That practice paid off. About a month after finishing, I had my first technical interview and I really felt ready because of the whiteboard challenges and feedback. The best part is I landed an SDET role just three months after graduating. Their job placement support was solid. They have connections with actual tech companies and checked in regularly with guidance. Because they're local in Sterling, I could drop in whenever I needed extra help or just to chat about progress. If you're thinking about moving into QA automation, especially if you don't have a tech background or English isn't your first language, Meta Xcel is worth it. The instruction is clear, the support doesn't end after the bootcamp, and they really care about your success. I'm proof it worked for me and I believe it can work for you too.

From the owner: Jumpstart Your Tech Career at Meta Xcel! No tech background? No problem! Join our QA Automation or…read moreData Analyst bootcamp. Get skilled, resume help, job marketing, and placement support. Enroll now!