This place is a community of makers. I've learned a lot so far, from woodworking to metalworking…read more Sewing, embroidery, Cnc milling, laser engrave and cutting, blacksmithing, there is so much to do and meetups with experts in the community. I joined about 2 years ago after Techshop shutdown, and I needed another place to continue my making needs. The hours is a little confusing at first, and they just recently revamped the website. So usually the makerspace is opened in the weekdays after 7pm and closes around 11pm-ish. Weekend I think is officially after 1pm til nighttime. On Friday nights there is alternating crafting and board game nights. And a tip for people who want to check it out, you don't have to wait for an open house specifically. To start, everyone has to take their "green go" class to learn the rules and structure of the place. (Keyword: community, it's all volunteer run). Then take the initial safety class per equipment and afterword you can either enter the lab by day passes, or pay $50/month to use the tools. There's another tier called key members that are community members that has contributed and volunteered, and are trusted with the keys to the place so you can go use the lab whenever. Definitely a really cool place!

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 went to the class, 5/5 Thank you. I would 100% recommend…read morethis place. I just took my arrest authority class and it was worth it.

We hold ourselves to the highest standards at Aspis. Unfortunately, there will always be those who…read morehave something negative to say when they fail. We appreciate all the positive comments and support. We will continue to hold the highest standards in the industry and do our part in elevating our profession.

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.

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.

Outstanding, knowledgable...time well spent learning the industry. The intructor, Derrick provided…read morea wealth of both administrative and street knowledge that will equip anybody looking for a career in the security industry.

I had a great time during the instruction. Acquired a lot of knowledge about the DCJS and the…read morepolicies. I'm also coming back for the armed portion of the class.

Just do it! You'll surprise yourself! With their guidance, you will be riding a motorcycle by the…read moreend. Feet off the ground and in control. As a hesitant participant, who was gifted the Head start -- test the waters class, I was extremely nervous. Motorcycles are heavy machines. I imagined myself (and my family) careening on runaway motorcycles. But with Rich and Muaini leading the class, we could not have been in better hands! Clear instruction. Encouragement. Tips to grow you just outside your comfort zone. I walked away not wanting the class to end. Sign up! Just do it!

I signed up for the BRC course, excited to finally start learning to ride. Unfortunately, it ended…read moreup being discouraging and miserable. Instead of teaching with patience, the main instructor, Wayne, cursed at me and yelled whenever I made a mistake. Maybe he wasn't as harsh with everyone, but how he treated me made me feel unwelcome and singled out. I'm young, and while I can't say that was the reason, it's hard not to wonder if it played a part. The rules felt impossible. There was a moment where he was showing me something on my bike, I looked down to see what he was doing, and got scolded for looking down. Those kinds of contradictions happened over and over. Instead of helping me learn, the constant criticism just made me more nervous and more likely to mess up. By the end, I wasn't learning, I was just trying not to get yelled at again. It killed any excitement I had for motorcycles, and I never want to see one again. For a class that's supposed to welcome beginners, this was the opposite. The instructor seemed more focused on punishing mistakes rather than actually teaching, which makes the price feel completely unjustified. If you are a new rider hoping to gain skills and confidence, this is not the place for it. I strongly recommend finding a school where the instructors actually want to teach, guide, and encourage you. Anywhere else will be a better investment of both your time and money. Everyone deserves a learning environment where they feel safe, respected, and encouraged not one where they leave feeling anxious, belittled, and ready to give up entirely.