Robotics

***Join us for an evening in an electronics lab where we will attempt to run clean scans of gold samples, and then clean up that data with post processing.*** This is a high sensitivity experiment, and we do not plan on being successful so early. But we've had promising results lately - so we will be putting in the time. We are NOT meeting at our usual location, but rather at Steve's house/lab. If you RSVP, you will get a DM with the address but it's located in Silver Spring. We will attempt full, clean lab - clean tip repeated scanning tests to see what we can learn and improve. We will experiment with online attendees, but if all possible showing up in person is strongly encouraged. Online join link is: - [https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers](https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers) 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. 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 will be publishing our work here -[ https://hackaday.io/project/202816-qt-panda](https://hackaday.io/project/202816-qt-panda) If you need a ride, let us know.

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!

HANDS-ON (Bring your notebook or laptop computer...) Have you ever taken a workshop and asked yourself why your images didn't look like the instructors or your images just don't have the polish that other photographers have? "FINISHING" YOUR IMAGES IS A KEY TO PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY SUCCESS! If you have taken any of our NVPPA workshops, PPA Super 1 Days, other 3rd party workshops, or held your own client sessions, this is the chance to get the knowledge on exactly what to edit to strategically take your images to the next level. Competition judges will notice these flaws first! The techniques applied are targeted to make your images way better -- FAST! You will LEARN HOW TO improve your portrait and lifestyle people photography by applying strategic edits to one or more images in Lightroom accompanied by some Photoshop (when necessary). These Lightroom techniques and unique application of these tools are seldom used but fast and effective. The students will be able to follow along with the edits using the same image as the instructor. A follow-along outline and practice files are provided. The Lightroom portion focuses on- and demonstrates the specific use of the basic and ADVANCED tools of the Develop Module; it's assumed you have some knowledge already of the Library Module, rating images, and organizing your images into Collections. PLEASE COME TO THIS WORKSHOP WITH YOUR SELECTED IMAGES FOR CRITIQUE OR EDITING ORGANIZED INTO COLLECTIONS AND READY-TO-VIEW! This will save us valuable time :-). HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES YOU WILL LEARN: • Lighten & Resolve Shadowy Eye Sockets With Just a Click (No Brush)! • Add More Depth & Dimension to Your images! • Correct Bad Skin-tone & White Balance • Learn 5 Ways To Resolve Glare Or Highlights On Face, Cheek, Hands, or Shoulders (Lr And Ps) • Correct Catch Light Problems: Quickly Add a Missing Catch Light in an Eye W/O Ps and Only 2 Clicks! • Change Light Direction From Broad to Short • Identify & Correct Blocked Up Blacks. Why is this Bad? • Identify & Improve Bad Composition • Improve Focus or Sharpness: Quickly Understand the Sliders and Identify What Each Controls • Reveal & Correct Overexposed Highlights • Remove Stray Hair (Ps, Studio Example) ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION! For the final portion, we will answer specific questions about your own images. Due to the small class size, you will receive individual and specific instruction! QUESTIONS: We will be glad to help with any questions. Please contact the instructor and host of this workshop by clicking on Philip's profile image above. You can also email workshops@gallery252.com (no spam please). TO REGISTER: 1. Please RSVP to the right or message/Contact Philip Brasch via his profile in the right sidebar to express your interest. You will not be able to RSVP with the button in the upper right sidebar if you are not a member in this group. 2. Either way, PLEASE complete this short and secure (https) Registration and Contact Information FORM (https://goo.gl/forms/HFsiT6bL9Ntx4nfx2) <== Click this to register for this course! We will not share this information to other parties. Or click or paste this URL into your browser: https://goo.gl/forms/HFsiT6bL9Ntx4nfx2 . *** RSVP NOW! *** INVESTMENT: There is an investment for this professional photography workshop of $89. NVPPA Gold Members (paid) receive a $10 discount. Contact Philip for the discounted link. • FIRST, please RSVP on this site so we can meet you and know you're attending. • SECOND, classes are purposely kept small so we need a commitment to hold your spot beyond 24 hours; please remit your investment here via PayPal for $89: https://tinyurl.com/yxsvw5rd • Onsite registration or after Wednesday 11:59pm the day prior to the workshop: $109 https://tinyurl.com/y4y8lzf5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Details Location: Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD) The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. Here's the updated version: *** **Topic: Reasons to Be Excited (A Technology Optimism Round)** It's easy to doom-scroll your way into thinking the world is falling apart. And honestly, some of our recent meetings haven't helped. So this time, we're flipping the script: what technology are you actually *excited* about? This isn't a request for blind techno-utopianism. Skepticism is welcome. But the goal is to spend some time on the genuine wins and promising horizons, because there are more of them than the headlines suggest. Here's a quick tour of some things worth being optimistic about: * **AI in everyday life** — Love it or hate it, AI tools are genuinely saving people hours of tedious work. From coding assistants to writing tools to writing this very event descriptin you're reading now to AI that sits inside your spreadsheets and email, the practical applications are moving faster than most people expected even two years ago. The question is less "will this be useful?" and more "who actually benefits, and when?" * **Clean energy's quiet boom** — Solar and battery storage have had a decade of jaw-dropping cost reductions. The U.S. added more renewable capacity last year than any year on record. It's not fast enough for some, but the trajectory is real. * **CRISPR and gene editing** — In late 2023, the FDA approved the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease — a condition that has caused lifelong suffering for millions of people with very few good options. It's the first of what could be a long list of genetic diseases that are now, for the first time, actually curable rather than just manageable. * **Lab-grown meat** — Chicken and beef grown directly from animal cells, no slaughter required. It's real, it's been approved for sale in the US, and while it's still expensive and not yet on your grocery shelf, the cost curves are dropping fast. Whether you care about animal welfare, climate, or just think it's cool, this one is quietly wild. * **SpaceX and the new space economy** — Reusable rockets went from fantasy to routine. Launch costs have dropped by an order of magnitude in 15 years, opening the door to satellite internet in remote areas, new science missions, and yes, eventually humans on Mars (whether or not that excites you). * **Brain-computer interfaces** — Still early, still expensive, but Neuralink and others are giving paralyzed patients the ability to control devices with their thoughts. The sci-fi shelf life on this one is getting shorter. **Questions to Consider:** * Is there a technology you were skeptical about that has actually won you over? What changed your mind? * Which of these feels most overhyped — and which feels *under*hyped? * Are the benefits of new technology reaching people broadly, or mostly concentrating among the already-fortunate? * Is optimism about technology a luxury? Does it depend on where you live, how much money you have, or what you do for work? * What's something small and unglamorous — not AI, not space — that has genuinely made your life better recently?

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. *** ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Dance Exchange, Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

**RSVP DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT. You must register via our website:** [https://georgewashingtonvolleyball.totalcamps.com/Content/29778](https://georgewashingtonvolleyball.totalcamps.com/Content/29778) **Offensive Skills I Camp** This camp is designed for **adult volleyball players (ages 20 & above)** looking to improve their offensive skills. Ideal for **all skill levels**, this camp offers an opportunity to receive skill instruction from George Washington's coaching staff. Players will be grouped by experience & skill level to ensure the best possible experience. **What to Expect:** Offensive Skills I is focused on building a **strong technical foundation** for attacking. This session emphasizes fundamental mechanics, including arm swing, approach, and timing. Athletes will consistently review proper arm swing technique while also learning multiple ways to score, such as thumb up, thumb down, and using the block to their advantage. This camp is designed to develop clean, repeatable habits that set hitters up for long-term success. We will spend the first hour & a half on skill instruction & the last 30 minutes playing competitive 6v6. 6v6 play will be recorded & distributed to participants so you can track your progress! **Camp Schedule:** 🗓️ *Thursday, March 19th* * 6:45 PM – Doors Open, Check-in begins at the Charles E. Smith Center * 7:00 PM – Camp Begins * 9:00 PM – Camp Ends **Important Info:** * **You must register via our website:** [https://georgewashingtonvolleyball.totalcamps.com/Content/29778](https://georgewashingtonvolleyball.totalcamps.com/Content/29778) * This camp is for **adults only** – you must be **above the age of 20 or have exhausted your NCAA eligibility.** * You will enter the Charles E. Smith Center at the **Ticket Office Entrance**, located on 22nd St. * **Please do not arrive early; basketball will be finishing up their practice at this time & we cannot accommodate your arrival earlier.** * Payment is due at the time of signup. * *By registering, you agree that we may use your photo for marketing.* We can’t wait to see you there!

**AI-Supported Creative Exploration** *For Unassuming Intuitives & Practicing Creatives* (Please note that this event has not been organized or endorsed by The Writer's Center.) This meetup is part of AI as Creative Partner — A Practice Group, a set of open, non-sequential creative labs you can join at any point. We use AI as a thinking partner—not to replace your ideas, but to help surface and shape them without overthinking or pressure. You bring fragments—ideas, impulses, unfinished concepts. With AI as a supportive collaborator, we explore how those fragments can become clearer, more coherent, and ready to share if and when you want to. No technical background is required. If you can talk or type, that's enough to work with AI here. This session is intentionally low-commitment and flexible: * Arrive late or leave early * Work quietly or observe * Ask questions, or simply watch the process unfold There's no presentation and no expectation to finish anything. Showing up as you are is enough. **FINDING WHAT HAS ENERGY - CREATIVE DIRECTION LAB** Many people don't struggle with ideas—they struggle with direction. This open lab is loosely oriented around noticing which ideas have energy and which ones don't, using AI as a reflective partner. There's no expectation to finish anything. This session is about sensing, testing, and trusting what responds. **HOW TO FIND US** Look for the room with the door open on the lower level. Look for the guy with the screen projector and ambient light and sound. Feel free to just walk in and settle. **(*This is an independent meetup using rental space at The Writer's Center. The Writer's Center has not organized or endorsed this event.*)**

​A beginner-friendly workshop on superintelligence AI and how this new technology is evolving and impacting society. ​​**Free and open to the public — no technical background required** ​​What would it actually mean for machines to become smarter than humans—not just at chess or writing, but at *everything*? For decades, scientists and researchers have debated the idea of **Superintelligent AI**: systems that could outperform humans across nearly all cognitive tasks. What once sounded like distant science fiction is now increasingly discussed as a real possibility within our lifetimes. ​​This workshop is a guided, interactive introduction to the idea of superintelligence and the problem of **loss of control**—what happens if we create systems that are more capable than we are, but whose goals don’t perfectly align with human values. ​​**Over the course of the workshop, we’ll explore:** * ​​**Superintelligence:** What it means for an AI system to surpass human intelligence across domains, and how this differs from today’s AI. * ​​**Power and control:** Why advanced AI could wield enormous economic, political, and strategic influence—and why “just turning it off” may not be realistic. * ​​**Misalignment risks:** How systems pursuing the *wrong* objectives could cause harm even without malicious intent. * ​​**Societal choices:** How decisions made today—by researchers, companies, and governments—may shape whether AI becomes a tool we control or a force we struggle to contain. ​​**What you’ll get:** * ​​A clear, non-technical introduction to core ideas from AI safety and existential risk research. * ​​Live demonstrations of current AI capabilities, to ground abstract concerns in real systems. * ​​Small-group discussions and thought experiments that connect AI risks to everyday life, institutions, and incentives. * ​​A better mental model for evaluating headlines, hype, and claims about AI progress. ​​**Format & vibe:** ​​This is not a lecture it is an interactive workshop designed to help people think clearly about a topic that is increasingly important and moving very quickly. ​​Whether you’re new to AI, casually interested, or deeply unsure what to believe, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of *why* many researchers take superintelligence seriously—and *what’s actually at stake* if we get it wrong.

**Regular Garden admission and memberships apply.** | Ages 5 & under | Free | | -------------- | ---- | | Age 6 - 17 | $5.00 | | Age 18 - 59 | $9.00 | | Age 60 and over | $5.00 | **We will meet at the visitor center.** **Bring Water, a tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards** **There is no specific route in this park. Folks are free to wander around the trails in the park at their own pace.** **Check out Rob Trek's video from May 16, 2021: [https://youtu.be/QwNR_TuxM4Y](https://youtu.be/QwNR_TuxM4Y)** **For lunch, after the field trip around 12:00 PM, we will head to The Virginian Restaurant, 169 Glyndon St SE, Vienna, VA 22180** Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. Beauty, conservation, education, and discovery flourish throughout the year at this 95-acre complex of large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature. https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/ By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

NOTE: This working session is at Lamond-Riggs Library not MLK. It is near the Fort Totten Metro Station. 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 **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.

Looking forward to seeing you! Please know that you don't have a reserved spot until you register on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speed-dating-for-adults-with-intellectual-andor-developmental-disabilities-tickets-1982621442104?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)** and purchase your ticket. Limited tickets available. Join us for a supportive, structured Speed Dating event for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00pm in Bethesda, MD (address provided after registration). This facilitated event is designed for heterosexual pairings and offers a welcoming, low-pressure environment to meet potential partners. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is $35, and free for our **[Constellations](https://www.harringtonmatchmaking.com/constellations-membership)** members.

OpenClaw, NemoClaw, personal assistants, 24/7 agents. What does it all mean? How does it all work and what should we know about it? Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

Let's bedazzle some books while we discuss our April pick: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson! Book description: One hundred years. Tens of thousands of gladiators. And today, only one will rise… Everything in the Kingdom of Arrow is a lie. Leith of Grey thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena—vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments where only the strongest survive—would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought there was nothing left to lose. He was wrong—and they took everything. His hope. His freedom. His very humanity. All Leith has left is his battle-scarred body, fueled by rage and hardened from years of fighting for the right to live another day. Then Leith meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he despises. Everything he should hate. Until the alluring princess offers him the one thing he needs most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard—and his freedom. But in a kingdom built on secrets and lies, hope doesn’t come cheap. Nor will his ultimate revenge… Event: Please bring your own book, journal, bookmarks, etc to bedazzle. If you have bedazzling supplies, please bring them as well. I will supply gems, glue, and picker tools, but if you have certain colors in mind, you may want to bring your own.

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** Web Forms gave .NET developers a powerful abstraction for building reusable UI controls long before design systems were a thing. Web Components finally bring that same idea to the browser natively. This session explores how the Web Forms mindset translates into Custom Elements, Shadow DOM, and HTML templates. We’ll examine how Web Components enable design systems that work across frameworks, how they differ from server‑driven controls, and why they’re becoming a foundational layer for modern UI. Whether you’re maintaining legacy apps or building greenfield projects, you’ll leave with a practical understanding of how to apply familiar patterns in a modern, standards‑based way. **YouTube Link** TBA

**New Dojo Location!** **Buffalo Wild Wings in Grandview** 968 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: Type Annotations with John Cassidy We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

Bring your work or your hobby, hang out, and code with us. Follow @buckeyecocoa for more information.