The MIX

Drone Prototyping Workshop

Every Wednesday night is Robot Night at the MIX! Wednesdays 5-7pm, Horizon Hall 1408 

Some Northern Virginia families will have free laptops in time for classes this fall, thanks to an enterprising group of George Mason University information technology students.

Since Michael Riggi was about six years old, his father and brother would take him to a “Cars and Coffee” show in Great Falls, Virginia, on weekends. Being around classic automobiles and luxury vehicles, Riggi said he developed an appreciation for cars, and other machines that go fast, including planes, boats, and rockets.

Now, as a junior at George Mason University, his career path has also been racing forward.

Most people with access to a 3D printer find themselves creating small objects or gadgets. But one student group working at the MIX at George Mason University each Friday is driven by a different dream.

“We build, design, test and plan to compete in solar-powered car competitions,” said Michael Riggi, president of Mason’s solar car team, HyperNova Solar. “[We believe] our car, when complete, will be the world’s first and only 3D-printed solar car.”

The Honors College Connects Hackathon gathered students in George Mason University’s MIX at Horizon to solve problems faced by local nonprofits.

The new MIX space is open in the brand-new state-of-the-art Horizon Hall.  MIX stands for “Mason Innovation Exchange” and is a place for creators, makers, innovators and entrepreneurs.