Student Interns Represent the MIX at the Torpedo Factory

On May 13th, a group of student interns representing the MIX participated in the latest in the “Late Shift” series at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, part of the City of Alexandria’s ongoing efforts to promote the growing tech, DIY, and makerspace movement happening in Alexandria and beyond.  

Joining with professional organizations such as Building Momentum, NovaLabs, GMU showcased the modern prototyping techniques the MIX offers.  Detailed resin-printed models of spines from bio-engineering were next to examples of custom laser engraved key tags made on the computer controlled laser cutter on the MIX.  Visitors from the greater community were curious about the manufacturing techniques and how the machines that made them functioned.  Guests from the ages of 7 to 70 were particularly interested in the demonstrations on 3D printing and robotics on display at the MIX’s booth.

Short videos of students collaborating on projects played in a slideshow while our staff described various student and faculty projects that the MIX has empowered. Visitors learned how The MIX creates a culture that fosters innovation at GMU. The MIX isn’t just a room full of tools; It’s a watering hole for makers. Art students and professors use the space to create sculptures, a professor recruits engineering students for his ed-tech startup, and self-organized students develop an assistive device for their blind classmate. 

Visitors were impressed by the MIX’s ecosystem surrounding the makerspace. The MIX doesn’t just leave students at the prototyping step - students who want to make their prototype a marketable product find support just upstairs in the startup incubator. The multidisciplinary nature of our idea-prototype-product pipeline inspired visitors regardless of their background. Artists, engineers, members of the military, parents, toddlers, and high schoolers all found something interesting at the MIX table, and were able to see George Mason’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology. 

The “Late Shift” at the Torpedo Factory brings in about 700-800 new visitors over the course of the evening.  The MIX was proud to be invited to participate in the first full in-person Late Shift since 2019.