NOVA Lab Notables No. 2: Events, Feedback, Alumni

The second installment of our shout outs to those who help us grow and learn takes us to the work of Aysia Woods-Drayton, and the Feedback of almost 25 different people. Let’s dive in.

Aysia Woods-Drayton is familiar with the work we do in NOVA Lab. Back in 2021, Aysia spoke to NOVA Lab students about her journey from a high-school and competitive debate, to college, to starting her own company as an event planner in Washington DC. Her insights into entrepreneurship, self-determined work, and the accompanying vicissitudes of such work allowed us to see our own projects through her experience and to realize that so much of life, like our projects, is filled with obstacles to be overcome.

This year Aysia’s presentation focused on event planning and how to take a project, whether it be an event like a fundraiser or informational meeting, and prepare for four key aspects of it in such a way as to make one to remember. Aysia used four key pillars to outline this work (Uniqueness, Attendee State of Mind, DYNAmism, and Change Your World–See image below)

Aysia’s pillars present a practical guide that anyone can use to create powerful events. Indeed, they were constructed through her own experience over the course of close to 10 years hosting events in DC for dignitaries and citizens alike.

Attention to these four pillars, especially to the empathetic shift of understanding what you want an attendee at your event to feel and experience (rather than simply doing what you want to do) is key to a memorable event, or to the creation of any experience where you want to invoke what the the Heath brothers call The Power of Moments

Mid-Process Critiques: Feedback Partners

No sooner had students arrived back at school in early January than they worked on presentations of their project backgrounds, their research, and their work to send out for feedback to a group of 25 teachers, professors, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship students, and designers. These presentations were digital, contained within a single google slide.

Within a week, all students received feedback from at least two people and used the feedback to help set direction and goals for the future of their projects.

With April 24th as a hard deadline for our return to Fluxspace and public presentations, we’ll be building out these projects, pivoting, or jumping into new ideas. That’s the nature of the class, the nature of innovation and entrepreneurship.

There was something about being recognized for the hard work that I put into writing my first draft, and all of its strengths, that affirmed something. … I feel more of a drive to record and produce now….
“It’s ok. It’s good enough. We can move on.”

Nolan B

Pitches and Alumni

In an early 2025 packed with amazing events, two more stick out.

First, the team of Tyson Hunsberger and Madison DeVito with their idea for a circular economy organization called “The Price We Pay” presented at Drexel University’s “Rising Starters” HS pitch competition, taking home an Honorable Mention. Special thanks to Chuck Sacco, Germyce Williams, and the team at the Close School of Entrepreneurship. This partnership will continue to grow. Wait ’till next year!

Second, a group of 12 former NOVA Lab students from the initial class in 2019 through our 2023 classes helped to pitch the course to an audience of interested students. Initiated last year as a way to communicate the vast benefits of self-determined learning to all students (not just those going off to college), the assembly has helped students better understand the commitment and investment they make when signing up for a year of NOVA Lab.

We are lucky to have such a strong alumni group willing to return and speak for the benefit and continued success of NOVA Lab. Thanks to all who attended.