Vista AST Company Profile
Vista AST are experts in the use of makerspaces in education, both in creating new spaces and operating and maintaining makerspaces. Vista AST assists school districts and education institutions in designing, installing and operating their own makerspaces for design and digital fabrication. We have the expertise and experience to design makerspaces to fit any budget and use scenario.
A customized Maker Space can provide a robust, technology-rich environment for learning and applying skills and knowledge in a problem-based learning setting. Vista AST works with clients to develop customized technology and equipment packages that include 3D printers, laser cutter/engravers and other digital fabrication equipment. Networked design stations with computers allow for collaborative research, brainstorming and design as well as to explore and discuss instructional content.
Building and maintaining a Maker Space is a significant undertaking. Vista AST can provide technical assistance at start-up and implementation including offering service contracts for maintenance and support. Vista AST can also support student use of the makerspace with curriculum, projects, professional development, and other makerspace resources. Vista AST offers the following makerspace services:
- Planning
- Design and Specifications
- Procurement
- Installation
- Training and Professional Development
- Educational Projects and Curriculum
- Operations and Maintenance
- Staffing
- Technical Support
We currently own and operate our own makerspace, the Invent2Make makerspace, founded in 2014 in Youngstown (OH), that serves as a hub to support schools across NE Ohio and the greater US that are enrolled in our Invent2Make Program.
About the Invent2Make Program
Invent2Make is a suite of educational content, tools, training and support services centered around digital design and fabrication (makerspace) technologies, which empower students to creatively solve problems through innovation and design thinking. The Invent2Make catalog includes content suitable for all age and ability levels, from elementary school through college.
Invent2Make was developed in part through collaborative initiatives with NASA and DARPA to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers while fostering development of lifelong skills in problem solving, decision making and teamwork. From exploring Mars and customizing a rover kit to learning powerful CAD design tools to coding Arduino circuits, Invent2Make offers students unique interactive opportunities to learn, experiment and invent, following the engineering design process and utilizing 3D printers and other makerspace equipment to bring ideas to life.
Through the Invent2Make program, Vista AST works directly with schools and educators throughout the academic year to provide all necessary equipment, training, and support needed to seamlessly provide exciting makerspace learning opportunities in their classrooms. Invent2Make products and services include:
Curriculum and Learning Modules
Invent2Make Curriculum and Learning Modules are standards aligned and highly adaptable to integrate into existing classes or stand alone as a course or summer camp. Invent2Make educational content relates to all subjects, ranging from traditional STEM to language and history to the arts, instilling skills and thought processes relevant to all careers and life pursuits. Content is designed to be flexible, compatible with Chromebooks and Google Classroom and suitable for a variety of learning modes: in school or after school, in person or remote, collaborative or individual.
Projects
Invent2Make Projects are makerspace projects which require no local equipment and can be integrated into any classroom. These projects, which can be completed in teams or individually, feature three core components:
Learn: Each project includes learning modules which explore relevant concepts and principles through engaging articles, videos and original content.
Experiment: A project kit is assembled and used in observing and developing empirical data to reinforce the scientific theories, principles and concepts of the Learn component.
Invent: Students utilize knowledge learned in the previous two components, the engineering design process and digital design and manufacturing tools to create unique solutions to project challenges.
All projects include teacher resource guides and step-by-step CAD video tutorials. Student designs can be manufactured remotely at the Invent2Make Makerspace and shipped back to the school for testing and analysis.
Equipment
The Invent2Make Makerspace is available to all program participants, removing the barriers associated with owning, operating and maintaining equipment and having sufficient capacity to support all students. The Invent2Make Makerspace includes more than sixty 3D printers, two laser cutters, three CNC mills, two vinyl cutters/printers and two CNC routers, all of which can be used to manufacture student projects and return shipped to participants.
Professional Development and Training
Invent2Make offers Professional Development and Training to educators and instructors to prepare them with knowledge, skills and experience in using project kits, CAD design software and makerspace equipment such as 3D printers. Teachers who participate in PD will receive a certificate that can be used to request CEU credit. Educators may request specific one-on-one training in CAD, makerspace equipment or other relevant topics. This training can also be provided directly to the class by Invent2Make subject matter experts.
Support Services
The Invent2Make Program offers ongoing Technical Support from Invent2Make expert staff to ensure smooth implementation and quickly resolve any issues that may arise. Support services offered include production of student designs using the Invent2Make Makerspace, design review and troubleshooting, optimization of designs for manufacturing, converting design files to machine g-code, questions regarding educational content, or assistance with any other issue. Our online support system is available 24/7 to create support tickets and submit design files for review and/or manufacture.
To register for the Invent2Make Program or for more information, please contact us at info@vistaast.com.
Highlighted Makerspace Facilities
Following is a select representation of Vista’s Maker Spaces projects. In all projects, Vista provides design, installation and project management services. It facilitates equipment and safety training to facility personnel, provides on-going technical support and access to instructional materials and workforce development resources. To discover more about what services we can offer to you, please contact us at info@vistaast.com.
Moreno Valley College: iMake Mobile Innovation Center
Vista AST LLC partnered with Moreno Valley College (CA) to design and build its iMake Mobile Innovation Center, an RV that provides outreach to K-12 schools by offering students and teachers access to the digital fabrication and design resources such as 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl printers, virtual reality equipment, coding with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and more. This Maker Space-on-wheels gives students access to the resources needed to take an idea from concept to finished product, all while promoting a creative environment that equips them for skilled careers in STEM and beyond.
Moreno Valley College: iMake Innovation Center
The iMake Innovation Center is a 4,150 square foot Maker Space offers a full complement of 3D printers, laser cutter/engravers, vinyl printer/cutters, routers and mills along with design software and resources to assist students, faculty, staff and the community members in educational, entrepreneurial and workforce preparation.
Palo Verde College Mobile Makerspace
Vista AST developed a mobile makerspace for Palo Verde college featuring INVENT3D printers as well as a laser cutter and vinyl cutter. Vista AST handled the entire project of hardware acquisition and installation as well as training and support services.
Navy Fab Lab Trailers, multiple locations
Five, 53’ foot trailers were designed and constructed by Applied Systems & Technology Transfer, a company in which John Scott, owner and president of Vista AST, is a principal and owner. The contract required conceptual and full design, acquisition and installation of digital fabrication equipment and tools for these mobile Maker Spaces. They were delivered to various facilities throughout the United States.
Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, Compton, CA
This unique Innovation Center is built in two ISO containers which are equipped with industry-quality 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machines, and programming stations. Both enrichment and in-school programming trains students to use the technology and give them hands-on, experiential learning projects that develop the 21st century STEM skills most in-demand by industry. Site limitations led to Vista’s creative use of the industrial containers to accommodate this learning environment.
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
The Cristo Rey model provides students a unique schedule of four school days and one work day with business partner for the duration of their academic career to improve educational outcomes and prepare for post-secondary success. In 2019, the school moved to a vacant, multistory tricycle factory renovated to a 21st century school which included a state-of-the-art Maker Space with digital fabricating, woodworking and fabric workrooms that Vista creatively designed to integrate seamlessly into this historic facility.