It’s time once again to celebrate one of our own — and this month’s Maker of the Month is someone whose energy, humor, dedication, and volunteerism have made him a cornerstone of our community. You’ve probably seen him at nearly every build session or event, gloves on and ready to help. Some even joke that he must live at Vector Space.
Our featured maker this month is Randy Sass.
Randy embodies the spirit of what it means to be a maker: curiosity, collaboration, and an unshakable enthusiasm for learning. He dives into every project — from group builds to solo experiments. Whether he’s teasing a fellow maker or lending a much-needed hand, Randy keeps morale high and progress steady.
Beyond his work here at the Makerspace, Randy’s commitment to growing as a craftsman extends far and wide. In October, he traveled to Maker Camp in upstate New York — a step toward accessing mentorship and new skills that, until now, only Vector Space staff had taken. Maker Camp is an adult maker’s candy shop, and Randy was able to expand his skill set with everything from stone carving to stained glass. His eagerness to learn from other makers and bring that knowledge back to our community truly sets him apart.
Other theories about Randy include the possibility that he might just have clones — because not only has he been to Maker Camp and joined in at nearly every event or group build this year, but he has also, and perhaps most notably of all, distinguished himself as a volunteer. His unparalleled commitment to helping is known throughout the makerspace and beyond. He’s played a mentoring role at nearly every First Friday this year, comes to events ready to lend a hand, and goes out of his way to help members of his Makerspace community when they need to move a fridge, lift something heavy, or just need a friend.
Cheers to Randy — a maker who proves that creativity, generosity, and a good sense of humor can go a long way in building not just projects, but community.
|
 Over the past two months, a dedicated group of seven makers have been working on an unusual group build. In this latest collaboration at Vector Space, members challenged themselves to create something unexpected: a giant cardboard sculpture.
After years of constructing massive cardboard boats for Parks and Rec’s Great Cardboard Boat Race—which is, sadly, on hold —the team felt compelled to broaden their horizons. Without the restrictions of a boat race to adhere to, they were free to stretch in unprecedented directions. They didn’t yet know what to build, only that they needed to build, build something for building’s sake. Build something as a team and build something to delight their own sense of wonder.
Naturally, a Pandora’s box of ideas arose—ranging from a grand castle to a Mississippi River steamboat with a working paddlewheel. After much fantasizing, the team’s imagination finally led them into a dark Eastern European forest, where they voted to bring to life the mysterious house of Baba Yaga. If you know the lore, you’ll recall that Baba Yaga’s home has a sentient gate and stands on giant chicken legs—very special circumstances indeed. You’ll also know that you don’t want to offend her, so building her house with respect and integrity at towering heights was no small task. Did the team choose it for the challenge? I like to think so.Shifting their focus in this feat of cardboard and with tedious and laborious amounts of love, detail and plenty of debates over structural design would eventually result in a sculpture that stands precariously—yet proudly—at just over sixteen feet high.
Aesthetically, the piece embodies the team’s collective vision of Baba Yaga’s infamous home — a figure both fearsome and wise, cruel and just. Our members come from all walks of making — some new to the space, some with us since the beginning; some engineers, some homemakers — most hesitant to describe themselves as artists at the start of this build. I hope that now they can at least see it as a possibility, after considering the scope of this project, the impact it’s had on audiences, and the artistic bravery it took to collaborate on something so grand.
Similar to our ragtag assembly of makers, cardboard as a medium captures the spirit of the project perfectly: humble, accessible, and sustainable, yet capable of inspiring awe. With imagination, skill, and teamwork, even the simplest materials can transform into something extraordinary — and the most unexpected group of people can come together to create something truly magical. The dedication to excellence was evident in every stage of the process: the countless trials and mockups, the patience required to build and repair each toe, and the shared persistence that carried the team through from concept to completion.
Artists: Robyn Troyer, Randy Sass, Allison Swede, Reese Preston, Paul Van De Graaf, Nicholas Grummon & Mollie Walsh
#makersgonnamake
|
 The team is back for a second season of engineering competition! After winning a Rookie All-Star Award in their first season, these teens are back for more: this year with the goal of building better, driving harder, and placing higher.
Applications are now open to new students for the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition season. In the words of FIRST, this is the ultimate sport of the mind.
Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.
Timeline
- Applications Due:
October 1 Deadline Extended! Applications Due October 7
- Team Announced: October 22
- Pre-Season Meetups: 3-4x in November/December (dates TBA)
- Season Begins: January 5
Learn more and apply here: https://vector-space.org/frc-robotics
|
 November brings the most destructive robots we can wrangle from up and down the East Coast. Spinning blades, hellish hammers, and wild wedges will face off in our Robot Combat event, November 1 at Virginia Episcopal School. Matches start at 10am and go until only the best bot is left standing (estimated end time is 3pm). This event is not for the faint of heart!
There is no fee or registration required for spectators. Competitors should register here by October 27. Merch, food, and robot workbooks will be for sale at the event.
Here are some of the ferocious competitors joining us this year:
|
This month, we're thrilled to recognize Kristen as our Maker of the Month—a multi-talented artist, leader, and community builder who’s made a lasting impact on our space.
From the moment Kristen joined our community, she jumped in with both feet—bringing energy, insight, and a contagious enthusiasm for making. One of her most impactful contributions, launching Maker Club, an initiative designed to build accountability and connection among makers. It’s become a powerful tool for helping members stay focused, find thier community, and most importantly—make awesome things. Kristen’s involvement doesn’t stop there. She’s been a dedicated Shop Captain, a constant presence in the stained glass area, and a true advocate for growing that space—helping it evolve from its humble beginnings on 5th Street into the vibrant, well-loved studio it is today. Whether hosting shop improvement days or sharing skills at a member events, Kristen leads with curiosity, collaboration, and care.
Beyond her community work, Kristen brings a diverse background as a ceramicist, stained glass artist, and practicing herbalist. Her artistic practice and love of craft are deeply interwoven with her community spirit, and we’ve all benefited from her unique blend of skills and perspectives.
While Kristen’s next chapter is taking her in a new direction, we know this isn’t goodbye. Her legacy here is strong, and we can’t wait to welcome her back! Thank you, Kristen, for everything you’ve brought to our makerspace. We’re cheering you on wherever you go.
|
 The computers at Vector Space just got a serious upgrade, thanks to a planned effort from our founder and Facilities Manager, Adam Spontarelli — and an unexpected but perfectly timed visit from member John Vollmer.
John, a pilot and former programmer, popped into the office right as Adam was elbow-deep in this labor-intensive project. As if by magic, he casually offered, “Hey! I’m killing some time — what can I help with?” His background made him the perfect taskmaster to join the crew. Member magic at its finest. John wasn’t the only computer wizard to jump in, though, Nathan Wyand, our Shop Captain for the area — and ever-incredible resident wizard — also helped plan and execute this much-needed upgrade. Under Adam’s leadership — and with John and Nathan’s expert help — the lab’s entire computer fleet received brand-new motherboards, CPUs, RAM, and hard drives. Vector Space became Vector Spa, at least for our hardworking machines.
Fun fact: Each computer in the lab is named after the teen who originally built it during one of our youth programs. So here’s to Renzo, Ben, Caroline, Dustin, and all their fellow computer friends — may your circuits be swift and your data plentiful as you power countless CNC projects to life in the makerspace.
We love this story because it highlights not only Adam’s constant drive to improve the space, but also the deep sense of community that makes it all possible. There’s nothing quite like someone’s unique skills showing up at exactly the right moment — and Shop Captains' steady force for good.
This upgrade was made possible by support from Stanley Levinson, in honor of Pamela Levinson.
#ComputersRock #CommunityRocks
|
This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Todd Rogers—founder of Robotic Legends—as a guest of honor at Vector Space. Todd and his team are on an extraordinary journey to bring their groundbreaking robot to the national BattleBots stage, and we’re proud to support them along the way.
Seven builders in all contribute their own expertise, creativity, and grit to a project that’s nothing short of visionary. Much like the best collaborations we see inside the makerspace, the Robotic Legends team thrives on the diverse strengths each member brings to the table. No one person can do it all—but together, they’re pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Their current project is a true standout. While most bots in this weight class are powered by three motors, their design requires ten—driving a fully articulated, VR-controlled humanoid arm. This innovative system allows the robot to mirror human movement in real time, introducing a completely new approach to strategy, control, and engagement on the BattleBots stage.
With less than 30 days until their debut competition, the team is deep into the final stretch of building and testing. We last saw Robotic Legends at our 2025 Maker Faire (https://www.instagram.com/p/DH6GvDux7Ml/), where they demonstrated their VR control system—an unforgettable moment that showcased both the technical complexity and human-centered design of their approach.
Todd is back at Vector Space, hard at work on our milling machine, fabricating a backup set of aluminum arms designed to lift up to 350 pounds! These arms aren’t just a contingency plan—they’re a critical component of the team's overall strategy and will be rigorously tested in the weeks ahead, and ultimately, in the arena. (And yes—350 pounds. Whoa.)
But beyond the machinery, there’s something even more powerful at play. In the robot combat arena—just like in our own FIRST Robotics Competition (https://vector-space.org/frc-robotics) team and throughout the Makerspace playground—we’re reminded of a deeper truth: bold ideas and complex builds only succeed when the humans behind them are operating at their best. Success in these environments demands more than technical skill—it takes patience, respect, collaboration, and the courage to bring your full self to the team. Robotic Legends is living proof of what happens when a group embodies those values.
We’re honored to support Robotic Legends as they continue developing a robot that’s not just impressive in form and function, but also a symbol of what’s possible when teams work with trust, vision, and relentless creativity. We can’t wait to see their bot—and their team—take the spotlight.
“Robotic Legends is dedicated to empowering the robot combat community by offering broad support to builders, event organizers, vendors, and content creators. Our mission is to ensure that anyone with a passion for designing, building, and competing with robots has the tools, resources, and encouragement needed to bring their imagination to life.” — Todd Rogers, Founder
Are your gears turning for more? Follow Robotic Legends on their journey: https://www.instagram.com/roboticlegends/
|
Team Members: (from left to right) Zane Moore - Combat Engineer / Jason Moore - Weapon Master / Johnny Goldman - Safety Guard / Todd Rogers - Captain / Andrew Stowell - Chief Engineer / Tammy Rogers - Queen of Chaos
|
|
Todd Rogers - Captain
|
|
