Product Design Development/Engineering

Let's dive into the world of the Russia's Invasion of Ukraine and its impacts. Join us for an exciting **in-person** event at the **Laurel Library branch, 507 7th St, Laurel, MD 20707,** where we'll dive into the complexities of geopolitics and its impact on the world order. This **foreign policy discussion series** will bring together experts and enthusiasts to explore history, politics, and future prospects. Mark your calendars and get ready for an enlightening event! **A Foreign Policy Discussion Series has been held at the Laurel Library branch for more than 3 years and hosted by Bear Afkhami to encourage civil discourse and expert-led learning on foreign policy topics.** More information can be found on the Laurel Library website here: https://pgcmls.info/events?l=Laurel&t=%255B%2522Speaker%2520or%2520Panel%2522%255D&r=range&start=2026-02-26&end=2026-12-31 Bear Afkhami has a combination of education, training and experience in homeland security, emergency management, foreign policy, intelligence, data and AI. He has a BA in Intelligence, MS in Analytics and numerous other credentials. He is a homeland security consultant, a Professor of Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems, sits on sector-related boards and has received Gubernatorial and County Executive appointments. He is also a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Education Ambassador and has published and become a regular speaker at national/state emergency management/homeland security conferences on the topics of risk mitigation, AI, disinformation and cybersecurity.

Styled after a 'pitch competition', this event is for entrepreneurs, and the entrepreneurial-curious. Learn about on-going initiatives from local area founders, and there will be ample time for networking. This event will bring together start-up founders and enthusiasts in the DMV area for an exciting opportunity to hear about a fellow founder, and give feedback on their pitch and product, and get to network around founders from the area. At this event we are partnering with Startup Shell, a part of the University of Maryland, College Park ecosystem. Location: Startup Shell, 4462 Stadium Dr room 1101, College Park, MD 20740, USA Parking: For our campus partners - Parking Lot CC1 is available for free after 4pm so guests can park there. https://transportation.umd.edu/sites/default/files/2026-02/Campus-parking-map.pdf **Our Agenda:** 1\. Basic introductions 2\. First "Pitch" Presentation \(\~10 minutes\) 3\. Community Q&A 4\. Second "Pitch" Presentation \(\~10 minutes\) 5\. Community Q&A 6\. Third "Pitch" Presentation \(\~10 minutes\) 7\. Community Q&A 8\. 60 second fire\-pitches \(limited slots\, and first\-come\-first\-served\) 9\. Break out sessions & general networking More information will be provided as we get closer to the meetup. **Speakers** Yuan He will present on N0S.AI - a decision intelligence platform built for professional investors and fund managers. It leverages four core AI agents, each delivering a key feature to improve investor’s circle of competency during the qualitative investment decision process. Two other speakers will be announced shortly, check back soon! Check back shortly, speakers will be announced soon! Pitch Labs is a member of the [DMV Petri Dish Network](https://www.dmvpetridish.com/ "https://www.dmvpetridish.com/"). During the event, our volunteer team will be capturing photos and video footage for use in promotional materials and on social media. If you prefer not to appear in any photographs or recordings, please let us know in advance, and we will be happy to accommodate your request.

\#\# A low\-cost\, 6\-week beginner\-level Mongolian course with the non\-profit organization\, the Global Language Network\. Ready to dive into the world of Mongolian? Join our fun and interactive class designed especially for those new to the language. **Details** Mongolian Foreigner with Dorjpagam Wednesdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm ET Apr 8th to May 13th In-person, Farragut Square DC Ready to learn? **Register [HERE](http://%5Bhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform%5D(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform) "\[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform\](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform)").** **Additional Information** * GLN classes are open to everyone over 18 years of age. * Have a credit or stipend to apply to your payment? Learn more about our credit, stipend, and refund policy on the [Pricing & Course Levels page.](http://%5Bhttps://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels%5D(https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels) "\[https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels\](https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels)") **About GLN** We are a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to "Use Language as a Tool to Help Fix Our World." Since 2015 we have been rated #1 Best Language Classes in Washington, DC by Yelp! We are so happy and grateful to have you join our network and we appreciate your support of our mission.

\#\# A low\-cost\, 6\-week beginner\-level Korean course with the non\-profit organization\, the Global Language Network\. Ready to dive into the world of Korean? Join our fun and interactive class designed especially for those new to the language. **Details** Korean Foreigner with Jeong Yong Wednesdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm ET Apr 8th to May 13th In-person, Farragut Square DC Ready to learn? **Register [HERE](http://%5Bhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform%5D(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform) "\[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform\](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform)").** **Additional Information** * GLN classes are open to everyone over 18 years of age. * Have a credit or stipend to apply to your payment? Learn more about our credit, stipend, and refund policy on the [Pricing & Course Levels page.](http://%5Bhttps://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels%5D(https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels) "\[https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels\](https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels)") **About GLN** We are a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to "Use Language as a Tool to Help Fix Our World." Since 2015 we have been rated #1 Best Language Classes in Washington, DC by Yelp! We are so happy and grateful to have you join our network and we appreciate your support of our mission.

The AWS Sustainability Hackathon is a 2-hour micro hackathon where students will vibe code and build an app focused on sustainability using AWS in some capacity. Bring 2-3 friends for a fun, creative, and collaborative way to meet like-minded people, explore cloud tools, and turn ideas into something meaningful. Winners will receive merch and a $50 Amazon gift card each, and free food will be provided.

***In Person Location:*** Rockville Library, second floor meeting room (Collaboration Room 3). Will recreate our Preamp circuit board inside EasyEDA to make it shareable for others. This ideally will also allow us to finish up design enough to submit for a materials grant program. We are experimenting with a new virtual join link - [https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers](https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers) If you can make it in person, that's always recommended! Let's resume repeated full end-to-end testing cycles and continue to iterate our design and resolution. We are getting close. Our community is building (and documenting for other teams) how to build a scanning tunneling microscope using a mix of common and 3D printed parts. This will allow us to scan and visualize a single atom - an ambitious we are doing over the course of a few months. The MoCo Makers community is one of the most innovative and competent groups in Maryland, and we've done everything from [publishing cancer research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38136356/), to [launching products](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gotim/cozy-curvy-multi-contour-pillow), [winning grants](https://covidinfocommons.datascience.columbia.edu/awards/2014255), and inspiring thousands. Now our biggest challenge yet has appeared. We are building a Scanning Tunneling Microscope, that will allow us to scan and visualize single atoms. Does it sound hard? Perhaps.. However! I have every confidence that we are now operating at a level were we can take on this mean, cross-functional project. We continue to build on our past successes, and a key technology we previously applied was increasing the signal of small voltages using OpAmps - which we did during our custom pH Probe project - [https://www.mocomakers.com/ph-probe/](https://www.mocomakers.com/ph-probe/) \- That technology is exactly what we need to get this machine working\, and at a high precision\! To get a better idea of what we are doing, see our reference project here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3OqTEq08g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3OqTEq08g) All starting CAD, code, and reference files should exist. However, let's be the first Maker community to document the build process and share it with learners around the world. We have a bit over $2,000 in materials costs, so if you want to sponsor this project, and get banners at events with 20K attendees, and access to our email broadcast of 30K members, please contact matt@mocomakers.com We are also open to university, lab, or community partnerships so feel to reach out if you want to be part of this project. Together, we can do incredible things. ***In Person Location:*** Rockville Library, second floor meeting room (Meeting Room 3). To Join Virtually: https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers

Join us on zoom call zoom from your phone free at 1929 436 2866; meeting id is 896 0197-4108 that's all, see you today 3rd Sunday at 12:45pm 2-15-26 ask for Howard!

Want to mess with some electronics? Or perhaps contribute to HacDC's main group project? HacDC's latest event brings hardware projects to the community. We will focus primarily on the main project (Space Blimp!) but please feel free to bring some of your own projects to show off and work on!

**LOCATION CHANGE as of APRIL 1, 2026:** **Body Grace has moved to 133 Maple Avenue East, 3rd Floor, above the Bear Branch Tavern.** Whether you're new to Insight meditation or an advanced practitioner looking for like-minded people to sit with, you're welcome to join us at our Sunday morning drop-in group, sponsored by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Insight meditation cultivates our natural wisdom and compassion. Meditation practice develops concentration, which allows us to calm and steady the mind. This class includes a 30-minute lightly-guided meditation, followed by a short talk and time for questions and discussion. The size of the group usually runs somewhere between 25-40 people in-person and between 12-25 online. Chairs are provided, or you may bring a sitting cushion or bench. You may also use the blankets and bolsters offered by the yoga studio. **We offer both in-person and online attendance.** To learn more about our topics and teachers, view our videos or **get the Zoom link**, visit our [class page](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=735&utm_source=MeetUp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vienna-drop-in).

**‼️This is a MAFN (Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network) event. To attend, register at [https://mafn.org/event-6471409](https://mafn.org/event-6471409)** WHEN: Friday\, April 17\, 2026 \| WHERE: Mason Fuse Center \- 3401 Fairfax Drive Arlington\, VA 22201 Don't miss out on this opportunity to Explore \| Sharpen \| Connect We’re bringing the MAFN community together in person this spring - Join us! **What You will Experience** Expect a day filled with fresh ideas, meaningful conversations, and the energy of being in community. Attendees will direct their own agenda around the content themes through interactive workshops and meaningful opportunities to connect and network before and after the conference. **CONTENT Themes:** * Business development in dynamic times * Technology shifts in facilitation * Facilitating amid polarization and conflict **Who Should Attend and Why** If you lead groups, facilitate change, or guide learning, New Frontiers in Facilitation is designed for you. This one-day, in-person conference brings together facilitators, trainers, educators, coaches, mediators, and organizational leaders to explore cutting-edge practices in business development, technology in facilitation, and working across divided contexts. Beyond the sessions, the conference emphasizes intentional networking to help you build meaningful connections that last well beyond the event. Join us and leave inspired, equipped, and connected for the future of facilitation. **SCHEDULE** * Registration & Coffee Networking from 8:30 * Plenary * Rae Ringel - Rupture & Renewal, How Facilitation Evolves in a Polarized AI-Driven World * Six workshops in three parallel sessions (the opportunity to join three in the program) * Bola Audena - Scaling with Purpose: Building a Thriving Facilitation Brand in the Age of AI * Carly Chomer & Kim Fredrich - Make Your Business Development Meaningful Not Mechanical * Christine Gerson & Eboney Dixon-Crump - Clarity, Curiosity and Connection: Coaching Through Polarization & Communicating Across Differences * Jennie Toner-Algin - Find the Beat: Using Musical Techniques to Reduce Polarization and Navigate Group Conflict * Mike Burns - AI and Facilitation: Asking Not What It Can Do, But What It Should Do * Nikki Frias - Building Bridges in Conflict and Uncertainty with Applied Improv * Lunch & Networking * Parallel sessions * Knowledge Cafe: Join table hosts for skills-based learning * Open Space: Join fellow participants to reflect on key learnings, collaboratively explore emerging questions, and engage in self-directed dialogue with peers. * Closing * Happy Hour & Networking from 4:00 **Sponsorships available** Interested in reaching 100+ facilitators and organizational leaders? Contact us today to ask about being the sole presenting sponsor! View Sponsorship Opportunities: [https://mafn.org/resources/Documents/MAFN%20New%20Frontiers%20Sponsorship%20Deck.pdf](https://mafn.org/resources/Documents/MAFN%20New%20Frontiers%20Sponsorship%20Deck.pdf) Email Us: treasurer@mafn.org **Rates** **Members:** Early-Bird (until 11:59 pm on 2/15/26): $99.00 Regular Rate starting 2/16/26: $129.00 Membership Bundle (Member & Registration): $199.00 **Non-Members:** Non-Member Early Bird (until 11:59 pm on 2/15/26): $129.00 **Students:** Current/Active Student: $79.00

Come support Velocity's Monthly Warehouse Sale! We'll need help moving bicycles outside the warehouse before 9 a.m. and back inside at 1 p.m. In between, we'll greet customers, help them find bicycles and parts, and ring up their purchases on Square. Feel free to sign up even if you can't volunteer for the whole time. And remember to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Please note that volunteers under 18 are required to have a parent or guardian attend the beginning of their first volunteering session in order to sign a waiver for them, and volunteers under 16 are required to have a parent or guardian present with them during all the time they spend volunteering at Velocity.

How about a weekend Happy Hour over unbeatable prices. Instead of silently doing research on your own, it is well known that when you are regularly connected with people of your own investment interest, you are likely to be more motivated, better informed and less likely to miss out on opportunities. Meet and discuss face-to-face.

Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects.

We invite you to an in-person session in Seattle exploring the real impact of AI on knowledge-driven industries — from shifting economics and the disruption of traditional SaaS and consulting models to where organizations can still build lasting competitive advantage. As AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini continue to redefine how work gets done, organizations face a critical question: how can they adapt, remain competitive, and create lasting value? We’ll discuss practical strategies for integrating AI while preserving human expertise, along with actionable approaches to upskilling teams for an AI-driven workplace. Drawing on real-world experience from training thousands of professionals and deploying AI solutions, this session will provide clear, applicable insights for today’s evolving landscape. Following a short presentation, the session will open into an interactive discussion where attendees can share perspectives and explore key questions around the evolving role of humans, organizational adaptation, and staying competitive in an AI-first world. **Who should attend:** • Executives and managers in SaaS, consulting, and knowledge-driven organizations • Professionals exploring AI upskilling and workforce transformation • Anyone interested in the future of AI and knowledge work 📍 **Location:** Data Science Dojo, 5010 148th Ave NE, Suite 200A, Redmond, WA, United States 🔗 **Google Maps:** [https://lnkd.in/d8WA-yNc](https://lnkd.in/d8WA-yNc) **💻 Online Access:** A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person; however, the full interactive experience is reserved for in-person participants.

Join local video game developers, artists, musicians and writers to talk about the art and science of game development. Bring a device and demo your game, talk shop, find like minded folks to join forces with, have a snack or a beverage among new friends. We are an informal meetup where we share what we've been working on and socialize. Come for all or just a bit of the time!

Important: Register on [AICamp website](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026043014) is required for admission. **Description:** Join us for a community-led developer event focused on AI-assisted coding with GitHub Copilot. This event brings together developers to explore practical workflows, real-world use cases, and hands-on experiences using GitHub Copilot. Whether you are new to GitHub Copilot or already using it, this event will help you better understand how to apply AI-assisted coding techniques in everyday development. **Speakers/Topics:** \- Reynald Adolphe\, Microsoft\. Stay tuned as we are updating speakers and schedules. If you have a keen interest in speaking to our community, we invite you to submit topics for consideration: [Submit Topics](https://forms.gle/JkMt91CZRtoJBSFUA) **Sponsors:** We are actively seeking sponsors to support AI developers community. Whether it is by offering venue spaces, providing food, or cash sponsorship. Sponsors will not only speak at the meetups, receive prominent recognition, but also gain exposure to our extensive membership base of 5,000+ AI developers in D.C and 500K+ worldwide.

**Location**: Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (Virginia) Conference Room A game development **Working Session** involves 3 key parts: 1. Tell people what you're going to do 2. Actually do stuff 3. Show people what you did That's what we'll be doing for this meeting. We'll briefly tell each other what we're going to do, then work on our projects, then at around 5:30 wrap up to show each other what we did and chat for a bit. You don't have to stay the whole time, so feel free to drop in and out as you have time. All game development skill levels welcome. Whether you're bringing a game you're trying to ship in a month, or you're just planning on following some tutorials or trying out a new tool to improve your skills, use this time to make progress. Working sessions also train you to think about the scope of your work: pick a chunk of work that you can complete in the time that we have. That way you can end the working session with a feeling of accomplishment! **What to bring**: Laptop, Charger, maybe a power strip if you have one handy, any other game development tools you need. Try to download any software you need before the working session. There is Wifi at this location, but it may be slow if you have to download any large files.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Spring Social** **Community, Connections, and Coffee** **Wednesday\, April 22 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a special **1 Million Cups Loudoun Spring Social** — a morning dedicated to what makes this community so powerful: **connection**. ## **About the Event** This gathering is all about slowing down, stepping away from presentations, and creating space for meaningful conversations. Whether you’re a longtime member or joining us for the first time, this is your opportunity to: * Build new relationships * Reconnect with familiar faces * Share ideas and experiences * Strengthen your network in a relaxed, welcoming environment No presentations. No pressure. Just community, connection, and coffee. ## **What to Expect** * Open networking with fellow entrepreneurs and professionals * Intentional conversations that go beyond surface-level connections * A welcoming environment for both new and returning attendees * A chance to continue relationships beyond the meeting Enjoy a **light breakfast sponsored by E.L. Strategic** as you connect with others who are building, growing, and navigating business alongside you. ## **Why Attend?** At 1 Million Cups, we believe businesses grow through relationships. This Spring Social is designed to strengthen those connections and create space for collaboration, support, and shared momentum. ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **April 22** for a morning that reminds us why showing up matters. We look forward to seeing you there.

**💻 Reimagine Your Second Half of Life – AI Vision Board Immersive Experience (Ashburn)** ✨ **Early Access Rate: $35 (5-Hour Immersive Experience — Lunch, Coffee & Snacks Included)** 🗓 Saturday\, April 25 \| 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 👥 Limited to 10 participants **“This was such an awesome event! … Once you see that you can’t unsee it. It’s in the making and you will start to discover ways to make that dream materialize.” – Tracy J.** (Comment from January 2026 AI Vision Board session) *** **☀️ Not Just a Vision Board — A Mirror** Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s your comeback story. This immersive is built around the **R.I.C.H. Quadrant™**: • Relationships — who you let in • Ideal Life — what you actually want • Career/Finance — how you show up • Health — the energy that fuels it all If you’d like a deeper look at the framework, you can preview it here: 🔗 [https://midlifereinvention.co/blog/f/the-rich-quadrant%E2%84%A2-living-with-clarity-in-every-part-of-life](https://midlifereinvention.co/blog/f/the-rich-quadrant%E2%84%A2-living-with-clarity-in-every-part-of-life) **In under 5 minutes, you’ll uncover your values.** And when your vision board is aligned with that truth? It stops being decorative — and starts becoming directional. People often have multiple “aha” moments during this session. Not because it’s dramatic — but because something quietly clicks. *** **🕐 What the Day Feels Like** This isn’t a lecture. It’s structured, but human. It’s focused, but energizing. **Morning —** Identify your core values + 2 priority quadrants. **Midday —** Lunch + intentional networking. **Afternoon —** Complete the remaining 2 quadrants + short coffee reset. *** **💻 Laptop Required — Please Ensure ChatGPT Is Logged In Before Arrival 💻** This workshop moves quickly and works best on a laptop. • **Laptop required** (phones will not work well for this experience. **iPads** may be used, but the experience is significantly smoother on a laptop.) • **ChatGPT account created and fully logged in before arrival** (please bring your login credentials with you; free version is fine) To protect everyone’s experience and keep the session on schedule, ***we cannot pause for account setup***. Please arrive fully prepared. If you need help setting up ChatGPT in advance, message me after RSVP. *** **🧠 What You’ll Walk Away With** • Clarity on which area of life needs alignment • A personalized AI-powered vision board • Defined 3, 6, and 12-month direction • Better prompts to use AI intentionally • Real conversations with people who are building, not drifting *** **🥗 What’s Included** • Full 5-hour guided immersive • Pizza + salad lunch • Coffee + curated snacks • All prompts and digital templates • Small-group collaboration *** **👥 Who This Is For** • Divorced/Separated professionals rebuilding intentionally • Entrepreneurs mapping their next chapter • Adults in a season of reset • People who prefer clarity over vague motivation This is thoughtful work — done in community. *** 📍 Ashburn area (exact address shared after RSVP) 💵 $35 Early Access Rate 👩‍💻 Bring laptop + ChatGPT ready 🔔 These are early-access rates as we expand the format. Future sessions will be priced higher. Space is intentionally limited to 10 to keep this interactive and meaningful. Come design what’s next — with structure, clarity, and a little help from AI. 🌐 [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)