Community Outreach

For students 15+, ASSIP  was established for high school and undergraduate students who are passionate about science and eager to gain practical science, technology, engineering and math experience. Selected students work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology to solve hypothesis-driven questions.

EPPIC-STEM  is a partnership between the College of Science and regional K-12 school system college access initiatives to expand awareness of 21st Century career pathways in STEM for students historically underrepresented in higher education.  Secondary school students participating in regional K-12 college access initiatives visit Mason’s Fairfax campus to explore today’s STEM disciplines, emerging career fields, and innovative research through a “choose your own adventure” series of Mason faculty-led, small group discussions.  Participants also enjoy lunch on campus while hearing from current students about their experiences as Mason STEM Scholars, and take a walking tour of Mason’s Fairfax Campus, including a STEM lab tour. 

Technology and innovation take center stage at the week-long FOCUS camp for rising 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students. Participants exercise their critical thinking skills and engage in creative problem-solving activities that foster interests in technology, engineering, forensic sciences and mathematics.

The FOCUS Academy for High School Students is a hands-on, residential camp with STEM workshops and professional development activities that prepare students for college. Priority is given to alumnae of the FOCUS Camp. 

The Global STEM Scholars Program (GSSP) is a collaboration between the George Mason University College of Science, the International Development Institute (IDI), and high schools across the globe to provide a four to five day rigorous and immersive STEM experience for cohorts of secondary students from developing nations.

Find out more about the program or learn about partnering with Mason and IDI by contacting Kerin Hilker-Balkisoon.

The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park  is a specialized Virginia Academic Year Governor’s School (AYGS) for the advanced study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), serving 166 students in grades 11 and 12 from the Manassas Park City Public School, Manassas City Public School, and Prince William County Public School Divisions. One of 19 Governor’s Schools in VA, the College of Science and the Volgeneau School of Engineering are University partners with the Governor’s School at Innovation Park (GS@IP). High school students attend classes five days a week on George Mason’s Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus each morning, and then return to their base high schools in the afternoon to complete the rest of their classes. They earn dual enrollment at their high schools and at Mason. They will earn a minimum of 12, and potentially up to 29 Mason credits. All courses are taught by experienced educators who are PWCS as well as affiliate Mason faculty.

The Mason Space Exploration Center camp will inspire the next generation to "launch" their curiosity and creativity about space. Campers will get fun and engaging hands on training in STEM activities from experts in working with programming and electronics (arduinos), generative AI tools like ChatGPT, mathematics, the physics of motion and gravity, creating a scale model of the Solar System, touring the 2nd largest on campus Observatory on the East Coast, a small-sat development lab and radio dish, using a Solar Telescope, experience robotic food delivery, and much more.

The Mason Math Odyssey Enrichment Camp (MMO) is a place for rising 6th - 9th graders who are curious about math to learn about beautiful mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Students will engage in fun and friendly team competitions that will help build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. Camp participants will embark on an exciting mathematical journey through space and time to learn about some of the greatest mathematical discoveries from ancient times to this day, get exposed to some of the fundamental mathematical concepts from the areas of geometry, topology, number theory, probability and algebra, as well as mathematical modeling, and compete for a chance to win the camp trophy. As part of the daily agenda, students will be immersed into one of the mathematical themes through guest lectures, hands-on activities, and group projects featuring Olympiad-style problems as well as simple mathematical puzzles and culminating in a peer and instructor judged presentation. 

In partnership with area K-12 public school systems, Connected DMV’s Potomac Quantum Innovation Center (PQIC) and George Mason’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) are excited to invite rising high school seniors to participate in the Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program for 2024. This experiential learning program provides students from around Greater Washington with a basic understanding of quantum and of the opportunities for industry careers available in this area. We will be selecting rising high school seniors from across the DMV to participate.

George Mason University is partnering with the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN) to proudly offer the VALHEN Hispanic STEM Academy for rising Virginia high school sophomores and juniors from Hispanic/Latinx and other underserved communities. The 2024 VHSA program will take place July 24 through July 26 on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus. The program is free for selected students.