K-12 STEM Programs

George Mason University's summer STEM opportunities provide students with hands-on learning experiences in all STEM disciplines.*

Camps and Programs

ASSIP

June 18 - August 8, 2025

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.

The 2025 ASSIP application is now closed. The 2026 ASSIP application will open in Fall 2025.

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.

FOCUS Camp and Academy

July 14 - 18, 2025
Technology and innovation take center stage at this week-long camp for rising 6, 7, 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.

Registration is now closed. Contact Kelly Knight at kknight6@gmu.edu for further information.

FOCUS Academy for High School Students

This 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 2025 FOCUS Camp and Academy are sold out. Join the waitlist.

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

The Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp

Many students are gathered the Geller Telscope. Here they are below the eyepiece, but as it is daytime, not looking through it.

Seven sessions from June 16 - August 4, 2025.

is an award-winning summer camp in its third year, for all aspiring astronomers in grades rising 4-9. Activities include coding challenges, physics experiments, and rocket launches; all centered around finding out more about the worlds around us. Camp culminates with a “press conference” at the end of the week to a small audience of families to communicate their findings. The camp hosts seven sessions from June 16 to August 4, at both the Fairfax and the SciTech Campuses. Explore more opportunities from the Physics and Astronomy department.

Mason Math Odyssey Enrichment Camp

July 7-11 and July 21-25, 2025

Registration is now open.

The Mason Math Odyssey Enrichment Camp (MMO) is a place for rising 6-9 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. Explore other opportunities from the Mathematical Sciences department.

Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program

After moving into the Mason student dorms, ice breaker activities including a scavenger hunt helped participants build relationships while adding to their understanding of quantum. This picture from the group’s scavenger hunt shows their illustration of superposition.

June 23 - July 18, 2025

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. 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. Registration is now closed. Explore more opportunities from the Physics and Astronomy department.

VALHEN STEM Academy

July 30 - August 1

George Mason University is partnering with the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN) to proudly offer the VALHEN STEM Academy for rising Virginia high school sophomores and juniors. The 2024 VSA program will take place July 30 through August 1 on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus. The program is free for selected students. Registration is now closed.

Academic Year Governor’s School (AYGS)

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 Volgeneau School of Engineering are University partners with the Governor’s School at Innovation Park (GS@IP).

How it Works
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.

Course Disciplines
The Governor’s School students choose physics, engineering, chemistry, or biology as the science ‘strand’ for the two-year program, before graduating from high school with a Virginia advanced studies diploma. All students are completing Mason undergraduate STEM courses. Every student also conducts active research projects some with the assistance of Mason faculty which is showcased at an end of the year symposium.

Who are We
Dr. Janette Muir, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in Mason Provost’s Office, is the contact for Mason faculty to collaborate with the school.

Mason faculty members are invited to mentor academically gifted and talented STEM students in authentic research experiences, and/or to give guest lectures at the Governor’s School. Colby Grant, the SciTech Director, Administration and Operations, Rachel Cleaver, the University associate director of K-12 Partnerships, and Elena Johnson, the Director of the Washington Scholars Program and Partnerships, are members of the Governor’s School Executive Committee who work with the Director of the Governor’s School, Dr. Jason Calhoun, as well as the public school systems to help oversee the Governor’s School operations.

The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After a thorough review of its policies and practices, the university confirms that it meets all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

K-12 STEM Programs